Bonus Content:
Insider Stories
Interview One:
1. What is your name and how long have you been developing video games?
Hi! My name is Zebastian (Zebbe) and I've worked at WaterMelon since early 2008. WaterMelon is the first video game company I've worked for.
2. What consoles do you have experience developing games for?
Only one so far, Sega Mega Drive (or Genesis).
3. What was your normal position during development?
I was mostly a designer and writer. I designed some maps, most items, attacks/spells, the difficulty balancing a bit, chests etc. A big job was the NPC script, it took a few months. I wrote many other texts as well, for the manual for example. I did some very basic scripting for placing objects on maps.
4. Have you developed any games that I might have heard of?
Yes, Pier Solar and the Great Architects, without doubt the most successful retro homebrew game ever! It is only released for Mega Drive right now, but ports to other systems are coming soon.
5. What software would you say you are most proud of?
Pier Solar !
6. What game systems do you currently develop for?
Sega Mega Drive. I will also probably help out a bit with the porting of Pier Solar to other systems and maybe also our Super Nintendo game.
7. In regards to Sega, when did you start working with their hardware?
In 2008, although I'm not really a "hardware guy" to say so (not a programmer for example).
8. Was working on Sega hardware always a dream of yours or were you a victim of circumstance?
I've always thought about that, but cannot remembering dreaming about making Sega games when I was little. I was invited to WaterMelon and said yes, and now I realize it's the best decision I've ever made.
9. What is your top three Sega systems in order of preference? Why?
Sega Mega Drive (incl. Mega-CD and 32X) at the top spot because it has so many great games, excellent sound chip, a powerful processor for action-packed games and the 6 button pad is perfect for your hands. Second spot goes to Sega Master System, lots of great games there as well and to me the system has a good charm to it, which is very hard to define. Maybe it's those vibrant colours and almost always "happy-sounding" melodies. Although I never liked 3D as much as 2D, third spot goes to Saturn and Dreamcast which both has quite a few excellent games, even though I never had either system. I didn't like the Game Gear too much because handhelds aren't my thing and the screen is so blurry.
10. How does developing for a retro system, like the Genesis/MD, compare to developing for something more recent, such as PC or Android/iOS?
You have much more limitations to think about. But getting the most out of those limitations is part of the fun, and the better you do the more impressed the audience is going to get. For modern systems, you really need to be innovative or have a huge team to stand out. It's better for a small company like ours to start with the Mega Drive, really.
11. Do you currently still do code work for Sega hardware?
I never coded :) .
12. What would you say to people who believe “better graphics make better games”?
Try Chrono Trigger and then Chrono Cross and you'll change your mind for sure!
13. Do you believe that new gameplay experiences can still be created on “outdated” hardware?
Yes, I do. While I cannot be specific, outdated hardware is so much cheaper today so it's possible to bring new ideas to old consoles just if you have the skill and perhaps the money.
14. Do you have any Sega projects currently in development?
Yes, I do. It's a secret Mega Drive/Genesis project.
a. Why did you choose to develop on that system?
I wanted to continue with Mega Drive development and this was a good chance.
b. Do you think you’ll have to limit the game in any way on that system as opposed to a more recent system?
No, except maybe colours. The game will be as we intend it to be, and sometimes you don't need more than 16 bits to achieve what you want to do.
15. Are there any upcoming retro Sega console games coming out, other than your own, that you are excited for?
Yes, I'm looking forward to see Project MD and Affinity:Sorrow for Mega Drive released. My friend, who also is with WaterMelon, is working on a Master System game called Radical Rat. But it will take time.
16. Retro games on new consoles are making a comeback. Have you considered porting your Sega titles to a newer system?
We already are! See above.
17. Do you prefer retro games over newer games?
Oh yes. I don't like 3D and the music of newer games very much. The simpler gameplay is funnier too .
18. What is your opinion of the video game market now and how has it changed from what it used to be when Sega was still a player?
I don't know too much about it, as my latest system is PlayStation 2 and I haven't played the newer consoles very much. I don't care much about it so I don't follow it nor play its games very much.
19. Do gamers today want different things out of their games than they used to?
Yes. People always want innovations, whether it's games, other culture, politics or science.
20. What is your favorite classic Sega title?
Phantasy Star IV.
21. What is your favorite classic Sega title that most people haven’t played?
Alien Soldier.
22. What classic Sega series should make a comeback?
Probably none, as Sega would most likely hand it off to a third party house which won't know at all what they will be doing.
23. Out of all the now-gone Sega consoles and handhelds, which one do you think is most relevant today?
Dreamcast and Mega Drive. Dreamcast because it has so many homebrews and never dies. Mega Drive because it sold most of all and is most remembered.
24. Should Sega make new hardware? Why?
Only if they can come with something really, really innovative and make a niche market of its own. It has no chance to compete with the big three right now. I would actually love to see Sega (and other developers as well) go back to their old consoles and support them. I'd like the retro market to grow and be acknowledged by the big companies. It's a fool's dream, I know...
25. Anything you want to say to Sega fans?
Our love for Sega's consoles will keep them alive forever!