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DNterview: met de ontwikkelaar van AiRace Speed

images (1)Nintendo 3DS bezitters kunnen aankomende vrijdag aan de slag met een nieuwe en supersnelle racer genaamd AirRace Speed. De game is eerder deze maand aangekondigd en zal als downloadbare titel in de eShop van de Nintendo 3DS verschijnen.De game is ontwikkeld door QubicGames In deze supersnelle racer kun je kiezen uit vijf verschillende futuristische vliegtuigen en achttien racebanen. Tijdens de races zul je ook de nodige obstakels moeten ontwijken. Daily Nintendo heeft een interview gehouden met de ontwikkelaar van de spellen uit de AiRace serie. Het interview (in het Engels) kun je hieronder lezen. Verwacht binnenkort ook een review online op Daily Nintendo!

 

DN: Can you tell something about QubicGames?

Located in Warsaw, Poland, we are an independent development studio with a decade of experience in creating games on console, handheld and mobile devices. Our team counts 16 dedicated and really friendly members. We have released over 10 games for Nintendo and mobile platforms including the successful and critically acclaimed AiRace franchise. For the Nintendo systems we have created games on DSi, Wii and 3DS.For more information about QubicGames, visit the official site: http://www.qubicgames.com

 

DN What are the differences between AiRace Speed and the two Nintendo DSi titles?

The gameplay of AiRace Speed on Nintendo 3DS™ is close to AiRace: Tunnel (Nintendo DSi™) as you are flying solo throughout the levels. However in AiRace Speed, the pilot can use nitro and brake at any time. The gamer has a total control over the jet.

The levels are not automatically generated in AiRace Speed. They are all designed from scratch. This gives our designers total freedom to create surprising and tricky tracks. The levels give a spectacular gameplay experience and they feature shortcuts and split ways. The only exception is on the two endless levels, which are automatically generated.

Unlike the DSi titles, AiRace Speed has 3D effects and advanced graphics which deliver a complete immersion, providing a unique feeling of speed and adrenaline. The game counts 18 tracks, which is more than in AiRace and AiRace: Tunnel together. These tracks bring the player into two distinct worlds. Also, AiRace Speed has online ranking leaderboards and 42 achievements to unlock.

 

DN: How many hours gameplay does the game have?

It depends on the players themselves. To unlock all achievements, we believe that more than 10 hours of gameplay are required, except perhaps for very talented gamers. To complete all the levels, it probably takes around 3-5 hours.

But thanks to the ranking leaderboards the replay value is endless. AiRace Speed always gives the possibility to break records. Performing the absolute optimal race is probably unreachable by a human being. So there will always be one person on the top of the podium that every other player will want to beat. And this will happen on 18 different levels.

 

DN: How long was Airace Speed in development?

The time spent to develop AiRace Speed is much longer than for the previous titles. It took around 10 months whereas AiRace and AiRace: Tunnel required in total together 8 months of development. We’ve spent a lot of time and effort on level design for AiRace Speed. It’s one of the biggest advantages of this game. The tracks are unique, surprising and interesting. They are spectacular and propose a real challenge with big opportunities on score improvements.

 

DN: How do you compare developing for 3DS against developing for the DS?

On Nintendo 3DS the developers and designers have much wider possibilities because the console is more powerful than the DSi. We improve the graphics and create complex and detailed levels using many more polygons and bigger textures. The lighting of the environment also looks more realistic with subtle nuances. Thanks to this the level design can be seriously improved. We can create stages which look fantastic and propose intelligent and interesting opportunities for the gameplay.

Apart from this, the biggest difference is about handling the stereoscopic effect which gives the 3D perspective. We had to design the levels with this in mind. For example, it was necessary to properly balance the contrasts and the colors to deliver a comfortable and clear experience visually. If you wish to know more about the development of the game, we invite you to read the “Behind the Scenes” articles posted on the AiRace Speed website: http://www.airacespeed.com/category/behind-the-scenes/

 

DN: Did you make use of the 3D effect and in which ways?

As stated previously in the interview, AiRace Speed shows a very immersive 3D effect. Combined with high-quality graphics, it puts the players in the middle of the action. For us it was a really crucial point because we believe that the visual experience is extremely important for this game. We deliver adrenaline and set the best conditions for the players to enjoy flying their jets with tight controls.

 

DN: Any plans to bring the game to the Wii U and are there plans to develop for the Wii U?

We want to get games from AiRace series on other platforms, including eventually Nintendo Wii U, and we have already begun the design and prototyping phase. We have already authorized developers for Wii U. We have the devkits and we currently are preparing our own game engine C-Way to feature the proper technology to handle development on Wii U.

However we can’t confirm at the moment that we will develop something similar to AiRace on Wii U because we are not sure whether we’ll be satisfied with the gameplay and controls of the game on this platform. But we do hope that we could release a game on Nintendo Wii U in the next 12 months.

 

Finally, what’s your opinion about the Wii U? Do you think Nintendo will be successful to make the Wii U a more popular console?

We think that the Nintendo Wii U is a fantastic device and see no reasons why Nintendo shouldn’t be successful when more titles will be available for the players. We hope that more and more big editors and indie developers will make games for it.

 

Thank you for your time!