Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure Interview
May 16,2006 -
Amped IGO: Al, thank you for taking time out from your stressful life of pina coladas, golf and game development to answer a few questions regarding the tantalizingly titled, Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure.Naturally, the name points towards a Leisure Suit Larry themed game. Is this correct?
Al Lowe: Well, not exactly. Naturally, it’s like Larry in some ways since it’s by me, but in other ways, it’s not at all like the series.
Amped IGO: How did you drum up the inspiration for Sam Suede?
AL: Well, I was happily retired, enjoying joints on the golf course when Ken Wegrzyn came to me with the Sam Suede title already in mind. He wanted me on board, and I was all for it if he could raise the millions of dollars it would take. I’d had numerous other previous offers, all of which stopped when it came to financing. But Ken got it covered. So, we formed iBase Entertainment, Inc. and I began work on Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure.
IGO: How will the visuals stack up to current games? Is an engine being built in-house?
AL: We’re utilizing several commercially available game engines for physics, animation, sound, etc. The game will look competitive, though we’re not striving for total realism. The more you strive for this, the further away it looks. We call this “uncanny valley”. Instead, the game will have a slightly cartoony look.
IGO: When did production start on Sam Suede, and when is it likely to end?
AL: We’ve been in business well over a year now and the game won’t be finished for yet another year. I predict “sometime in 2007.”
Written By: Edward Love | Tags: Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure, PC, iBase Entertainment
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Al Lowe: Well, not exactly. Naturally, it’s like Larry in some ways since it’s by me, but in other ways, it’s not at all like the series.
Amped IGO: How did you drum up the inspiration for Sam Suede?
AL: Well, I was happily retired, enjoying joints on the golf course when Ken Wegrzyn came to me with the Sam Suede title already in mind. He wanted me on board, and I was all for it if he could raise the millions of dollars it would take. I’d had numerous other previous offers, all of which stopped when it came to financing. But Ken got it covered. So, we formed iBase Entertainment, Inc. and I began work on Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure.
IGO: You’ve described this as an action comedy. Is it a case of abandoning the adventure genre and moving towards pastures new, or will there be elements of puzzle solving in Sam Suede?
AL: As I wrote on my site some seven years ago, the adventure genre was dead then and it’s still dead now. It was the perfect medium for its time, but it’s time to move on. While Sam Suede has some puzzles that will be familiar to adventure gamers, there won’t be an inventory. There will be short quests to find objects for certain people to satisfy their needs. And, in terms of dialogue, there are similarities with Larry 7, which, in my mind, had this aspect best implemented out of any in the series. The major difference is there’s a lot more action, button pressing, joystick bashing, and the like. It will be mildly challenging to a point-and-click adventure gamer, but I think action gamers will be bored. We’re not selling the game as a action challenge, we’re selling it as laughs. In this regard, any genre fanatic should be satisfied. My perfect idea of a review of this game would be: “The game play was too easy, but I laughed my ass off and I can’t wait for the sequel.”
AL: As I wrote on my site some seven years ago, the adventure genre was dead then and it’s still dead now. It was the perfect medium for its time, but it’s time to move on. While Sam Suede has some puzzles that will be familiar to adventure gamers, there won’t be an inventory. There will be short quests to find objects for certain people to satisfy their needs. And, in terms of dialogue, there are similarities with Larry 7, which, in my mind, had this aspect best implemented out of any in the series. The major difference is there’s a lot more action, button pressing, joystick bashing, and the like. It will be mildly challenging to a point-and-click adventure gamer, but I think action gamers will be bored. We’re not selling the game as a action challenge, we’re selling it as laughs. In this regard, any genre fanatic should be satisfied. My perfect idea of a review of this game would be: “The game play was too easy, but I laughed my ass off and I can’t wait for the sequel.”
In another move away from the point-and-click routine, there will be…well, interactive cutscenes is the best way to describe it. If you’ve played God of War, you’ll find we’re doing the same thing here.
IGO: Is a new audience being appealed to here?
AL: Oh, definitely. I want to appeal to the person who enjoyed my games in the past, but who hasn’t gotten into action games. With Sam Suede, they’ll be able to play and enjoy the game without being frustrating by too difficult gameplay that makes them shatter the controller. That’s my goal: keep the controller intact throughout the game. <grin>
IGO: Will the game appear on next-gen consoles and PCs?
AL: Yes, Sam Suede is being designed for PCs and next-gen consoles.
AL: Oh, definitely. I want to appeal to the person who enjoyed my games in the past, but who hasn’t gotten into action games. With Sam Suede, they’ll be able to play and enjoy the game without being frustrating by too difficult gameplay that makes them shatter the controller. That’s my goal: keep the controller intact throughout the game. <grin>
IGO: Will the game appear on next-gen consoles and PCs?
AL: Yes, Sam Suede is being designed for PCs and next-gen consoles.
IGO: Tell us about the control scheme.
AL: Well, Sam Suede is a third-person game ala 80 Days and it controls akin to any third-person action game. Although a gamepad or, say, Xbox 360 controller, would be preferable, you can maneuver Sam about with the keyboard while moving the camera with the mouse.
IGO: Will the game follow the rule of “missions” and “quests”, or does Sam Suede abandon such convention? Either way, describe a typical task the player will face in the game.
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AL: Well, there’ll be “cases”, which is our name for missions. Still, this is largely a chance to show progress through the game and gives me a chance to subtly slip in jokes, with case titles that will – I’m hoping – make you laugh. In one case entitled, “A French Maid Man,” Sam must dress up in a French maid’s costume, with predictably humorous results
IGO: Are you aiming to appeal to a strictly male audience, or will there be something for the ladies too?
AL: Essentially, the game will appeal to both males and females who want to laugh. We’re aiming for a “T” rating, so the humor won’t be crude. I never thought Leisure Suit Larry’s humor crude either, though. I mean, the rudest thing about those games were the box-covers. Sierra always pushed out a cover that suggested sexier shenanigans than was ever present.
AL: Essentially, the game will appeal to both males and females who want to laugh. We’re aiming for a “T” rating, so the humor won’t be crude. I never thought Leisure Suit Larry’s humor crude either, though. I mean, the rudest thing about those games were the box-covers. Sierra always pushed out a cover that suggested sexier shenanigans than was ever present.
IGO: How will the visuals stack up to current games? Is an engine being built in-house?
AL: We’re utilizing several commercially available game engines for physics, animation, sound, etc. The game will look competitive, though we’re not striving for total realism. The more you strive for this, the further away it looks. We call this “uncanny valley”. Instead, the game will have a slightly cartoony look.
IGO: When did production start on Sam Suede, and when is it likely to end?
AL: We’ve been in business well over a year now and the game won’t be finished for yet another year. I predict “sometime in 2007.”
IGO: How did your E3 showing go?
AL: It actually went really well. The press conference actually got laughs, which pleased me no end. After all, reporters aren’t exactly an easy bunch to please. And yes, the game is coming along quite well. I’m proud of what we’re doing.
IGO: Thanks for your time, Al.
IGO: Thanks for your time, Al.
AL: You’re welcome. Tell people to visit www.iBaseEntertainment.com for the latest on the game, and, of course, drop by www.allowe.com to sign up for my free daily joke email, CyberJoke 3000.
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| Published by: | iBase Entertainment |
| Developed by: | N/A |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| # of Players: | 1 |
| ESRB Rating: | Rating Pending |
| Release Date: | US: January 2007 |
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Gamer 2.0 Rating: 6.4 | User Rating: N/A
Gamer 2.0 Rating: N/A | User Rating: N/A
Gamer 2.0 Rating: N/A | Hype Rating: N/A
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