Q&A: December 30th, 2020

OzarkTempses Asks
What do you think is the place of already existing (from albums, single and such) songs on the OST of a game as opposed to a wholly original soundtrack?

This turned out to be a surprisingly tough questions. Mainly because, I don't take issue with games that only use them to immerse people via things like Radio Stations in open worlds. I do however think there's more opportunity to use licensed songs deliberately to enhance sequences and make them stand out.

Spec Ops actually did this really well, lots of shoot outs that would otherwise feel normal are given a unique vibe purely via songs playing over loadspeaker with the DJ taunting our main characters.

I'd love if more games synced music to with specific moments, however, I'm guessing this is an issue due to tech. Hugo Martin from ID shared spending lots of time just to get the shotgun to sync with the opening theme.

Brandon Asks
When will you watch Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine? It has crime, some level of grit (especially in presentation), and it's dope.

I would never remember that title, but crime and grit is all I need to be sold on to give it a chance. I'm a sucker for that stuff.

NephyrisX Asks
What are your thoughts on mobile games? Do you believe mobile games should be treated more seriously as 'real games' i.e on the same level as PC/console games?

I think games should always be judged as what they offer, not based on platform. A game shouldn't be "good for mobile" it should just be good, and there are a few that I've played, mainly Golf Peaks, the Go Trilogy, and Asphalt 9.

While I don't think Mobile Games will be taken seriously for the next few years, I do think the fact that games like Genshin Impact and Fortnite are played on consoles, PCs, and phones, that will start to change in near future.

I've always believed the same thing that happened with 90s devices, the same will happen with computers, TVs, phones, etc. Just like how we went from having a GPS, Watch, Cell Phone, Pager, Calculator, Notepad, Flashlight, put into one device, we'll have games that can be played whether its a TV and Controller, or a Monitor and Keyboard.

Ferenc Viczmandi Asks
What do you think is the 'christmasiest' video game ever?

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare... on Christmas Crash.

The Great Leveler Asks
What are your favorite VR games so far and what do you think future VR titles will look like?

I loved Half Life Alyx, and Beat Saber's been something I wanna get back in my life. I don't think I have a specific request for the future of VR other than technicals, clearer screens, more responsive controls, all that.

However, what I'm most excited about VR is that while it's still very expensive for consumers, for developers, its actually quite an even playing field. The biggest advancement made in VR recently when it comes to controls, that being the standardization of Locomotion, was done by a team of people who weren't even game developers. They had enough influence to make Vale take notice.

It's just like the 90's, where revolution for VR can be achieved by a handful of people with no notoriety. It's about problem solving, not budget, resources, or investments.

Josepheous Asks
Are there any weird game menus that have stuck in your brain over the years?

I love the way music syncs to your inputs in Killer Instinct, it makes me have fun just flipping through menus before the game's even started. Though, I can't really think of any weird ones off the top of my head. Most of the menus that stick out in my mind, are the ones with the best functionality that still haven't been matched.

Thank you Halo Reach.

Happy New Year everybody!

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