This extensive interview delves into the mind of Christopher Ortiz, the creator behind the beloved indie game VA-11 Hall-A, and offers a glimpse into the development of his upcoming project, .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND. Ortiz discusses the unexpected success of VA-11 Hall-A, its merchandise, and the challenges and triumphs of independent game development.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:
- The journey of VA-11 Hall-A: From initial expectations to its global success and the various platform ports (with a humorous anecdote about the unreleased iPad version).
- Team dynamics and collaborations: Ortiz shares insights into working with his team, including artist MerengeDoll and composer Garoad, highlighting their creative synergy.
- Merchandise and fan engagement: He discusses his involvement in VA-11 Hall-A's popular merchandise and the overwhelmingly positive fan response to .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND.
- Inspirations and influences: Ortiz reveals the impact of artists like Gustavo Cerati and Meiko Kaji, as well as games like The Silver Case, on his creative process.
- .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND development: He details the game's development process, inspirations (including the cities of Milan and Buenos Aires), and the unique gameplay mechanics designed to bridge the gap between visual novel and action game fans.
- The future of Sukeban Games: Ortiz discusses plans for future projects, including the potential for console ports of .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND and the possibility of future smaller projects.
The interview concludes with Ortiz sharing his coffee preferences and reflecting on the current state of indie games, expressing both enthusiasm and concern about the industry's trends. A fascinating read for fans of VA-11 Hall-A, indie game development, and the creative process itself.
