Review Fix chats with Peter Malamud Smith, creator of “Satellina Zero,†who discusses the “prequel†to the iOS smash hit, detailing its development and creative process, as well as its goals for the future.
Review Fix: What inspired this “prequel” game?
Peter Malamud Smith: I was talking about the original Satellina with Kurt Bieg of Simple Machine, and we had a fun conversation about endless modes and procedurally generated music. Satellina was already done, but this new game seemed like a fun way to play with those ideas.
Review Fix: How is it different from the original?
Smith: My mom likes it more. Also, it’s got more of a bite-sized feel; the layouts are procedurally generated, so you can’t memorize what’s coming. As a result, while I was developing it, I found myself going to test things and then kind of trancing out and playing for an hour — because it was keeping me on my toes — and I’m the one who made it.
Review Fix: Overall, what was the reception like for the first game?
Smith: It was great! It was really a thrill to hear people’s positive reactions to the game and the soundtrack, and to watch the leaderboards get more and more competitive.
Review Fix: How did you take those sentiments and use them for this title?
Smith: Well, Satellina Zero wouldn’t exist if people hadn’t enjoyed the original, so I appreciate the support and everybody’s warm feedback.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy this game the most?
Smith: This is an all-ages game that you can play at many different skill levels. I think it’ll be engaging to anyone with a digit to swipe.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Smith: Glad you asked: I’m neck-deep in a big, colorful, old-school platform adventure for mobile, with a really unique control scheme I haven’t seen anywhere else. It should be out around this time next year (he said, looking warily into the middle distance).
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Smith: There’s a secret mode in Satellina Zero that’s excruciatingly difficult; I almost left it out, but after seeing the Tetris exhibition at AGDQ, I was reminded that there are people with extraordinary reflexes out there and they like to be challenged. I’d love to see them tackle this.
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