Exclusive: Q&A session with Bit Boy!! developer Bplus

Bplus, an independent software developer from Austria, will release its retro-title Bit Boy!! on WiiWare in Europe today, 3rd of July. DS-x2.com got the chance to ask the people behind the title a few questions about Bit Boy!! and their upcoming project...

Bit Boy!! is a totally new kind of game mix in which one-pixel-hero Kubi rushes through the whole history of videogames in order to save his pixel pals. Players accompany Kubi in this totally crazy-pixellated retro journey and battle hordes of nasty monsters in 4-bit dungeons, 8-bit caves, 16-bit strongholds, 32-bit mazes, 64-bit arenas and 128-bit worlds.

DS-x2.com got the chance to ask Bernd Geiblinger and Daniel Bze from Bplus some questions about Bit Boy!!.

DS-x2.com: How did it all start for you?

Bernd: Once upon a time there was a crazy boy called Bernd. His only dream was to create videogames for his favorite company Nintendo. He kept on imagining game concepts, and one day he came up with something special. Together with a friend, he created something that would be so impressive for Nintendo that they decided to make the little team official Nintendo developer. And the rest is history...

DS-x2.com: What type of gamers are you trying to reach with this game? The more mature "retro" fan or maybe the younger gamer who's grown tired of the graphically superior but gameplay inferior titles?

Bernd: With Bit Boy!! incorporating all different generations, EVERYONE can experience and learn to love the feeling of retro gameplay. 2D, 3D, pixels, polygons, Joystick, +Control Pad, motion control; every generation has its very unique and special feeling, features and possibilities. I for one have a fable for the games of the early 90s of the last century so my generation is the 16-bit one. Naturally, some very young gamers may not initially understand the passion 'older' players have for their favorites from the past, but when they get to play Bit Boy!! that may change.

DS-x2.com: Bit Boy!! goes back to the 4-bit era, which was a fairly long time ago now, so how do you convince newer gamers why that era was so good for games?

Bernd: That is easy - our slogan is "it's fun to play". We think that many younger players will get Bit Boy mainly to play it in the generation in which they first came in contact with games. But fact is, to get for example into the 64-bit era you must first all play all the way through 4-bit, 8-bit 16-bit and 32-bit. At the beginning, we didn't dare to go that much back in time, but after a few test rounds in the 4-bit era we saw how extremely fun it was. In this generation you cannot yet perform special attacks - and therefore you can't fight against the monsters directly. Instead, you have to be sneaky and find other way s to get away from them. Similar to that, every generation is something special.

DS-x2.com: Out of all the different bit-generations: what are the team's favorites?

Bernd: I for one prefer the 16-Bit generation, clearly followed by the 64-Bit generation. I just love bright colours and I fell in love with the cuddly style. I am also a big fan of Super Bomberman and that is why the 16-Bit levels are mostly inspired by it and also by Zelda III - A link to the past.

Daniel: My favourite of all the generations is the 4-bit era. Even though I wasn't born yet when these games where around, I find it extremely fascinating how fun a game with such simple technology and graphics can be. I also like the 64-bit generation because when I was young, the games of that era had a kind of perfection I didn't know before. This perfection was mirrored in such simple things as not having to blow into cartridges to play them or the marvelous sound that hasn't been possible before.

DS-x2.com: Why did you choose for the WiiWare platform instead of PSN or XBL? Is the Wii-fanbase more suited for Bit Boy!! and if so, why would that be?

Bernd: As big Nintendo fans it was clear for us from the beginning to develop exclusively for Nintendo systems. Not only do Nintendo fans always expect new and innovative ideas, many were with Nintendo from day one and so Bit Boy!! is perfectly suited to bring them total retro flashbacks.

DS-x2.com: What's next for you?

Bernd: Our other Wii Project, Vektor Tank, is coming along pretty nicely; we already have released some juicy in-game screenshots a while ago. We put much work into Vektor Tank and constantly refine gameplay to make sure you'll have an absolute blast when you get to play it.

DS-x2.com would like to thank both Bernd Geiblinger and Daniel Bze for taking the time to answer our questions and wish them well on the release of their upcoming products!

More information and some screenshots on the game can be found on our gamepage for Bit Boy!!.

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