GhostStorm EXCLUSIVE: Neko Entertainment Interview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heracles Chariot Racing is the soon to be released action cartoon racer from Neko Entertainment. GhostStormer Luke Kemp cornered producer Kevin Maitreheu whilst stuck in traffic, and by Zeus we got an exclusive interview out of him!

GS: Why did you decide on a WiiWare release for this title, rather than expanding it for a retail release?

KM: We felt there wasn’t enough good action racing games on the WiiWare.

GS: What size development team, and what length development time, is typical of a download only release as opposed to a full shop shelf title?

KM: Heracles was originally a PS2 game, so it required a team of 15 people for 8 months.

GS: We like the graphics, they’re reminiscent of the sadly overlooked Okami. Is this a graphical style you plan to keep for future releases?

KM: Well, we like to try new styles and since we recently finalized our new in-house game engine, we have a lot more new possibilities ahead of us.

GS: Even a cursory glance reveals huge similarities to Mario Kart. Do you worry that this could work against you?

KM: No. While Mario Kart is obviously a reference of the genre, Heracles Chariot Racing has its strengths that set it apart.First, the setting: it’s one thing to play as a moustachioed plumber; it’s another to play the son of Zeus riding a thundering chariot, racing against Poseidon. Also, when we made Heracles Chariot Racing, we fixed what we didn’t like in Mario Kart: the computer won’t cheat to miraculously come back when he is half a lap late, you won’t get stuck because you keep hitting objects or getting targeted by attacks, etc.

GS: Where did the idea for a Greek mythology themed racing game come from?

KM: It’s a period everyone knows and loves: it got mighty heroes, ferocious monsters, whimsical gods wielding powerful magic… It’s an ideal setting for a chariot racing game.

GS: Will it be coming to PSN or Xbox Live?

KM: We are considering it. In particular, the PSN seems particularly interesting.

GS: What next from Neko?

KM: We have a lot on our plate right now and we have a lot of games coming out this year. We are currently putting the finishing touch on new Cocoto titles for the Wii. Cocoto Festival is the sequel to Cocoto Magic Circus and Cocoto Surprise is the first game using our new in-house game engine, with a gameplay based on solid and fluid physic. We are also working on a game for DsiWare that uses the features of the DSi in a way no other game has ever done.

Heracles Chariot Racing will be available on WiiWare in the UK and in EU territories 24th July, at a price of 800 Wii points. It is available for purchase in the US now.