Cubed3 spoke with Matti Larsson, Zordix CEO, on the development of Aqua Moto Racing from portable to big screen.
The new game for Wii U, Aqua Moto Racing Utopia, will boast a range of exciting new water environments to conquer, rebuilding the engine that powered the Nintendo 3DS original with completely new water tech. We spoke to Larsson on the challenges faced migrating from the dual-screen handheld to the bigger demands of working on Wii U tech, plus what’s new to the home console installment of Aqua Moto Racing.
Cubed3: Please introduce the team at Zordix for our readers.
Matti Larsson: Zordix is a fresh new indie developer that I had the chance to start up after working for 12 years in the games industry. The studio has grown fast with capacity to be up to 20 people in projects like the new one for Wii U! We started early to make our own small downloadable Nintendo DSiWare games like 1950s Lawn Mower Kids and Valet Parking 1989, and have been working our way up to produce our own racing games like Aqua Moto Racing 3D and Snow Moto Racing 3D on the Nintendo 3DS.
And now, finally, we’re at the point of making one of the big console games we’ve been dreaming of with Aqua Moto Racing Utopia on the Wii U!
Cubed3: Please tell us a bit more about the Aqua Moto Racing 3D concept and how it began on the 3DS.
Matti: Riding and jumping waves with great analogue controls, making stunts for extra boost, competing in Championships, unlocking medals and new vehicles is a proven concept for success. When we got the game up and running on the Nintendo 3DS we felt like we had our own unique feel to it – and above all, it was fun!
We have a line-up of great 3D racing games in Zordix’s possession that became big at the time the iPhone was launched. These games were introduced almost like launch titles for iOS since they were really pushing the limits. A large picture from Aqua Moto Racing sat on the wall in every physical Apple Store around the world since Apple wanted to surprise and show off that high quality games could be made on their new platform.
With experienced key personnel from these earlier productions and fantastic new talent, I could start up my completely own independent studio Zordix with the aim to develop the franchises further on new suitable platforms that attract gamers – such as the 3DS and the Wii U.
Cubed3: Why the decision to develop a sequel for Wii U instead of 3DS?
Matti: 3DS is indeed a great gaming platform! We will make completely new 3DS games using what we have learned. From earlier business experience, a sequel typically takes long tail sales from a prequel on the exact same platform.
At the same time we want to realise many new ideas for Aqua Moto Racing to their full potential. Besides being on a new platform, a Wii U game gives us the opportunity to make something much bigger – HD graphics for fantastic levels and characters, the Wii U GamePad controller and enough processor power to make state of the art water simulation. I could go on and on with the advantages of the new generation TV console.
Cubed3: How do you intend on taking advantage of the Wii U GamePad controller?
Matti: A very good question! Besides split-screen together with the GamePad allowing up to 5 players, we have been working on a unique stunt mechanism and special innovative new game modes where the GamePad is at the centre. We will reveal more later and try to introduce these concepts in film clips and screens as they are implemented and tuned. In this new age of constant interaction and flow of ideas, I hope we can get some extra feedback from the gaming community as we go along.
Cubed3: Some of the feedback from the 3DS game included issues with collision and physics – how are you reworking the engine for the Wii U release?
Matti: We were quick to make a patch for the first 3DS version, just within a couple of weeks. After that, we were happy to get great reviews when releasing the game in America. Reviews like 93% from Family Friendly Gaming and 8/10 from Pure Nintendo, and what they are saying I think proves we’ve fixed the initial problems and that many people really love the game!
It went from a good game to a very good game in a very short period of time. And now that the game soon will be released in Japan, we will make sure that all of the polish and improvements in that version also become downloadable to owners of Aqua Moto Racing 3D in Europe and America.
As a small indie company, we always put our heart to the game even after an initial launch. That means that the initial games will be slightly improved over time to stay up-to-date and continue to be sold for years to come.
Cubed3: What sorts of environments will players be able to tackle on the new Wii U game?
Matti: We will reveal more about the different environments soon in game art, screen shots and video footage. What I can already reveal is that there are more environments than, for instance, in Wave Race for Nintendo GameCube. We try our best to top earlier similar games on every feature like that.
At the same time, I have to say that a great game is much more than just a numbers game. It is about creating that very special feeling, where all features come together as a whole. For that reason we have created a unique soundtrack for every venue, music that is true to the emotions we want to bring forth when playing there and then, and we have worked on the level design and controls. As usual – it’s all about the fun!
Cubed3: Will you consider multiplayer for Aqua Moto Racing Utopia?
Matti: From now on, multiplayer is at the centre of what we do! We will both have full scale online multiplayer gaming and also split-screen party-style multiplayer for you and your friends to enjoy. While the 3DS has provided small, safe projects for us, the new scale in budget allows us to expand into online gaming the way we would like to play ourselves. Well, of course I cannot guarantee huge numbers of players online at the same time, but we will do our best to implement the kind of world ranking, hi-scores and more that makes up our own online dream game.
Cubed3: Why haven’t many studios braved the idea of creating a jet-ski racing game?
Matti: There could be many reasons. For big publishers, it would make sense to work on even bigger projects. For smaller developers I think it is a huge technological hurdle to start working on water simulation and dynamic programming.
Zordix on the other hand, is placed close to the University of Ume, where potential employees can study graphics and physics simulation on the highest level. That gives us an edge to the competition and even more reason to make a watercraft game. In the summer time we can ride jet skis all day and night long, since the sun never sets. Watercrafts are very popular up here and we have a very nice archipelago by the Baltic Sea with lots of beaches and summer houses by the waterside.
Cubed3: Please tell us a bit about the stunts system, and how you plan on taking it further on Wii U.
Matti: The stunt system will remain a secret until we got some nice footage to show, but I promise you (and your readers) will be amongst the first to see it! You will be able to do some more advanced and surprising tricks, as compared to for instance Wave Race, but I think you might have guessed that already. We have to really bring it for the stunts!
Cubed3: Will you expand on the “Storm Mode” feature with the new release? It was mighty challenging on the 3DS.
Matti: Absolutely! We’re making a whole varied weather system for the new game, where waves are forming depending on wind and other factors.
Cubed3: What are your thoughts on Wii U as a development platform?
Matti: I like it a lot! It has a lot of hidden power that we’re aiming to show off with Utopia. We intend to work on its strengths to support the different controllers and the GamePad screen as much as possible. At the same time without compromising the clear-cut fun.
Cubed3: Have you had any hurdles working with Wii U when compared to the 3DS?
Matti: On the contrary, it’s been easier, even if we’re raising the bar in every aspect. Since we’ve replaced all code, it is hard to compare single features. There is so much more in the Wii U version that it has to be considered a whole new game.
Cubed3: Would you consider bringing any of your other 3DS franchises to Wii U?
Matti: Yes, that would be great! I think all of them would be possible. But we’re very focused on bringing this title to Wii U right now in 2014.
Cubed3: Congratulations on releasing titles in Japan – how did that process come about?
Matti: We were contacted by many Japanese publishers that had tried Aqua Moto Racing 3D and loved it! We picked a strategic partner and hope it will be a very successful co-operation. There has certainly been a lot of buzz in the media over there when it was known that our 3DS games are coming. I think it is a key market for us and the most interesting part of the process lies in the near future when our games start to be released in Japan. I am sure we will learn a lot.
Screenshot from Aqua Moto Racing 3D
Cubed3: What has it been like working with Nintendo and their approaches to indie development?
Matti: Nintendo has been great to work with. I think as they went first of all next gen consoles, they had to be first to attract indie developers in new ways. A good example is giving free access to a 3D engine like Unity Pro for Wii U. Then they are always very quick, polite and to the point, which I appreciate. Now there is even the possibility to make promoted video interviews as an indie developer, so I’d be hoping to jump on some opportunities like that for Utopia, so that more people know about the game and can look forward to it!
Cubed3: If you could work on any Nintendo franchise, what would it be and why?
Matti: There are so many that it would be hard to pick one. Given where we are right now with Zordix, a Wii U version of F-Zero with full online gameplay would be something I’d love to work on. I assume that many developers have the same dream and that there indeed might be many interested players out there.
Thank you very much for making a reveal interview on the topic of our new upcoming game Aqua Moto Racing Utopia for Wii U!
