Review Fix Exclusive: Dana Punch Talks ‘The Shapeshifter’ And More

Review Fix chats with “The Shapeshifter” developer Dana Punch who discusses what it’s like to develop on the Game Boy and more.

About The Shapeshifter:

The Shapeshifter puts you in the shoes of a young, ordinary boy called Elliot granted with the ability of turning himself into any animal he touches.

Both Game Boy and NES versions of the game will be available in a cartridge packed in a box with a manual.

Check out their Kickstarter, HERE.

Review Fix: How was this game born?

Dana Punch: This game was the idea of my 5 year old son. One night, talking about superheroes and other stories, I asked him what superhero he would like to be. He told me that he would like to have the power to transform into whatever animal he touches! And voilà! I think that’s where it all started.

The Elf thing and everything else has already been my job.

Review Fix: What is your role in the game?

Punch: In this game you put yourself in the shoes of Elliot, a normal person who goes to the mountains with his friends. There, he wakes up in the middle of the night to find an elf who asks him for help to save his kingdom from the spell of a wizard. In order for Elliot to help him, the Elf gives him the power to transform into whatever animal he touches.

From there I prefer not to reveal much more so the players will be surprised to see the development of the game. Be careful with watching gameplays in videos, because it can reveal the surprise!

Review Fix: What has development been like?

Punch: I started creating the plot and the first sketches (storyboard) in November 2020 and in December 2020 I already started with the design and programming. I put together some parts to create the demo video (you can watch it on youtube) and create the Kickstarter campaign with that.

During January I have been totally focused on the part of settings, characters, mechanics, etc. .. and I have managed to sketch 2 of the 5 chapters that make up the game. My intention is to make the 5 chapters for March and in April to start sending the users, although it may take a little time because I am alone in the whole process and I am quite a perfectionist in the graphic part (perhaps I will spend more hours of which I must in each scene).

Review Fix: What makes this game special? What games influenced this one the most?

Punch: This game stands out for its versatility when it comes to changing scenes. I don’t know if you will remember the mythical Gargoyle’s Quest for Game Boy, which is a typical platform adventure but with RPG elements. (it’s a platform side scrolling adventure game with mild RPG elements).

It’s always been one of my favorite Game Boy games, and I think this RPG / Platformer ‘mix’ influenced me when creating ‘The Shapeshifter’.

Also the plot of the game is very original. I am convinced that users do not expect the script of the game.

Finally, I also wanted to convey brushstrokes of my great references, LucasArts, creators of the famous ‘Indiana Jones’ (graphic adventure), … and hence the famous scene of the ball that chases the protagonist.

It’s a mix that I’m sure even non-Game Boy gamers will like.

Review Fix: Any fun stories or wild moments during development?

Punch: Yes! One of the worst nightmares I have suffered developing videogames !! When I had the first chapters almost assembled, I moved from home, so during the move my computer fell from a height not recommended for computers (and I use a Thinkpad of these robust). I didn’t give it more importance since I keep the repositories in Gitlab, .. but when I wanted to restore the whole project I had lost several of the key developments for these scenes !!

In any case, I think the result was even better than the originals.

Review Fix: What were the major lessons learned?

Punch: Make sure to make a backup when you finish your session (and that can be automated without problems)

Review Fix: Do you think preserving older gameplay mechanics in new games is important?

Punch: Without detracting from the mechanics of current games, I think it is important to conserve and preserve the origins of video games. With this, the mechanics, the story, plots, etc … because if projects like Greenboy games, Spacebot interactive, etc … don’t come out, the story tends to be forgotten.

That is why I give all my support to these small studios that develop games for almost forgotten machines, such as Spectrum, Amstrad, NES, Game Boy, Megadrive …

Besides, I think that valuing the legacy that old video games leave us can provide new visions to apply to new releases.

Review Fix: What’s your favorite memory as a gamer?

Punch: Without a doubt, the sacrifice I made to buy the Game Boy. I come from a humble family, and at that time my parents couldn’t buy me a Game Boy, so I kept all the coins that fell into my hands, I even sold candies and little things among my friends to be able to buy one.

I remember the day my parents accompanied me to the store to buy it. Since then, I knew that we would be good friends!

Review Fix: How have your previous experiences in the industry helped this game?

Punch: No, I have no prior experience. I’m just a newbie doing the best I can.

Review Fix: How do you want this game to ultimately be remembered?

Punch: An aesthetically cool game, with a ‘surprising’ script, and that makes way for an even better game if possible: ‘The Shapeshifter II’ … although this is still a secret!

Review Fix: What’s next?

Punch: If we can raise € 40,000 in the Kickstarter campaign I have announced, I have made a commitment to users and friends that I will make the version for NES 8bit. As I can not break my word, the next one will be ‘The Shapeshifter’ for the NES.

If we do not achieve 40K, I am considering finishing a tremendously original game for its mechanics based on the movie ‘Cube’ from 1997 or starting with ‘The Shapeshifter II’. Surely I will pass a survey among all users so that they themselves decide!

As you will see in my game catalog, I tend to skip the theme radically: I have gone from a penalty shooter (Leo Legend) to making a tribute to the machines of Game n Watch (Submarine 9), going through a game where the protagonist get inside the body (Micro Doctor), and with adventures on the moon (Lunar Journey) .. and you even put yourself in the shoes of a hand! (Where is my body?)

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Punch: I would like to ask readers to support initiatives such as Greenboy games (or many others) so that the essence of the first consoles that were released can be kept alive and that we can enjoy new titles. Without this support, the continuity of many developers is difficult, since we are not motivated by money, but by passion for video games.