Whilst there is free software already installed on the Nintendo DSi system, as well as the opportunity to download Flipnote Studio completely free of charge from the online DSiWare store, owners have the ability to manipulate their photos and creations in numerous fun ways. Neko Entertainments Faceez takes this idea and attempts to expand upon it. Cubed3 caught up with the company to discuss the project and what is set to come in the future
Mike Mason, Cubed3 Review Editor: Hello! Please introduce yourself and describe your role in the team.
Neko Entertainment’s Patrick Perret du Cray: Hello my name is Patrick Perret du Cray and Im the Lead Artist of Faceez at Neko.
MM: What was the inspiration behind Faceez?
PPdC: Applications that use photos are widely available on the iPhone and the Internet. In these applications we found some really fun and cool idea that offered some amazing accessories to customise their photos. With Faceez we wanted to give users real control of customising their facial expressions while exceeding the simple notion of creating figures where you can drive all movements and personality aspects.
MM: Please talk us through the creation process. How easy and fast is it to make a picture or animation?
PPdC: Well, first you take a photo of you or anyone else. When doing this you need to take a great picture, lining up your profile with the screen position indicators. Then, after naming the picture it goes direct into the Faceez creation studio, where you can mix, decorate, tune and animate your Faceez. After any modifications you can then save your creation and put it on a stage with a background image. We have tried to make the menus as accessible as possible and to allow for fast and intuitive modifications to be made.
MM: As well as using clipart to place hats, glasses, and other accessories over photographs, are there any other artistic tools involved? For example, can you tint photos to different colours?
PPdC: In fact, you cannot really tint the face, but you can mix photos with different modes, which sometimes results in totally crazy and surprising creationsthat are even crazier if you take a picture of something that isnt a face! In other parts of the menu you could also adding wrinkles, piercings or other extreme alterations, or even put yourself in a famous painting! And yes in the ‘Animation’ part you could do other modificationssuch as altering the colours and tint of the photo.
MM: How long can animations be?
PPdC: Not so long! This is really a result of the limited memory size of the Nintendo DSi.
MM: Can Faceez be used as a mini-movie maker by stringing animations together?
PPdC: No, unfortunately, we couldnt actually record a clip or mini-movie. Perhapssoon!?
MM: Social network compatibility has been announced, specifically Facebook support. Have you looked into uploads to Twitter via Twitpic, or Flickr?
PPdC: Yep, we use the Facebook connection in the DSi album so you can add all of your creations to Facebook, so we should thank Nintendo for that function! You can also, of course, use Faceez on Twitter via Twitpic, or Flickr.
MM: Do friends have to own a copy of Faceez to receive animations or photos?
PPdC: Good news Absolutely not! The Faceez creations are saved on the DSi Photo Album, so you can simply exchange your photos with friends.
MM: Are you allowing people to send their creations via email also?
PPdC: As soon as Nintendo makes this option possibleyes! But at launch it will just be through Facebook.
MM: What has been your personal favourite creation so far?
PPdC: Personally, Im quite proud of the one from our game designer where there is a dog collar and rabbits ears, in Paris on the top of the Eiffel Tower, chewing on a carrot.
MM: Has there been any concern about Faceezs sales, given that DSi comes with free photo software included and Nintendo have put out a potentially conflicting free animation studio in Flip Note Studio?
PPdC: Faceez offers more than 20,000 different animations combinations and has lots of new accessories and options that are simply not available on Nintendos photo software. To really play around with your photos on the DSi you need Faceez!
MM: How have you found working with DSiWare so far?
PPdC: Cool! Its a great experience to create this kind of application, because we can quite easily show full complex 3D animations. And its actually the case in Faceez!
MM: Can you tell us any information about Nekos other future DSiWare titles?
PPdC: Actually, we are in the final line with others great DSiWare titles! With some already known, such as a special version of Maestro Jumpn Music (with Pastagames) and Dodogo (with Alien After All) and few others to comesuch as Ikibago (with Yamago).
MM: Thank you for your time! Is there anything else youd like to add?
PPdC: Youre welcome! In fact.Faceez offers simple fun for all.and let’s you loose with your full creativity! Please enjoy it!
