Review Fix chats with White Owls CEO Swery, who discusses their new game, “The Good Life,†detailing its creation process, inspirations and goals.
Review Fix: How was this game born?
Swery: I’ve been working on it since 2007, but nothing serious ever happened with it. After I started White Owls I started writing a plan down, then worked on it more with Grounding and promoted it a bit until it finally became “The Good Life.”
Review Fix: What has development been like so far?
Swery: Currently we’re in pre-production, the stage at which we test the tech and mechanics to see what will be the most fun. We learned a lot from our previous campaign and have improved the graphics to be very close to the final product.
Review Fix: What makes this game special?
Swery: The townspeople in the town Naomi is sent to transform into cats and dogs for one week per month due to some mysterious power. The player needs to take pictures in order to uncover the truth behind this mystery.
Review Fix: What games influenced this one the most?
Swery: Without a doubt, Deadly Premonition.
Review Fix: What inspired the art style?
Swery: I spoke with the art director, Mr. Hotta, and we came up with an art style that would make balance our deep, dark adult fairy tale so that it wouldn’t become too grotesque. (*Mr. Hotta is an art director famous for his work on Rez).
Review Fix: Any fun stories or wild moments during development?
Swery: When I have meetings with Mr. Futatsugi, we argue for about 6 hours. But at the end, we shake hands, hug, and go out to drink together, laughing all the way.
Review Fix: Do you think preserving older gameplay mechanics in new games is important?
Swery: As I creator, I’ve never thought about that. I just make the best choices for each specific game I’m working on.
Review Fix: What’s your favorite memory as a gamer?
Swery: When I skipped my cram school when I was an elementary schooler to visit the arcade, over and over again. Eventually the delinquents that hung out there started calling me the “Phantom of the Arcade.”
Review Fix: Who will enjoy this game the most?
Swery: People with pure hearts. #DarkSideSwery
Review Fix: How do you want this game to be remembered?
Swery: I think that’s up to the players, not the creator.
Review Fix: Being your first game, how important is this to you?
Swery: All of my titles are equally important to me. Would you be able to rank your own children?
Review Fix: What’s next?
Swery: Create a SWERY brewery.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Swery: The Good Life is still in the middle of its Kickstarter campaign. We’ve gathered 6,000 backers, but that’s not enough. If each backer would just invite one friend to the campaign, we would definitely succeed without a doubt. Please support us! All you need to do is invite one friend!
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