Bionic Commando Rearmed Developer Diary
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 01.22.2008
Director Simon Viklund talks about working on Bionic Commando.
Bionic Commando Rearmed Director Simon Viklund discusses working on the latest remake.
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Today is a very good day to be the director of Bionic Commando Rearmed.
On Thursday evening, the trailer for our game went live on IGN, and I had braced myself for an onslaught of hatred from the different forums around the Internet. I had, however, planned on sorting out the positive comments and cutting and pasting them into a single "document of encouragement".
After all - the internet is always the internet, and it often seems like a meeting place for haters anonymous. Also, we're dealing with people's nostalgia here - and that is an impossible thing to beat.
I am very, very proud of what we have accomplished with Bionic Commando Rearmed, but needless to say I was also very, very humble towards the impending announcement...
The day of the announcement, the entire Bionic Commando Rearmed development team went out and ate some fine food together in celebration. We then headed back to the office to read up on the first responses on the trailer - which had been released during our visit to the restaurant. With a blend of excitement and fear, we walked through the streets of central Stockholm.
What we discovered, we could never have imagined or dreamed of. It turns out I don't need to waste any time sorting out the positive comments - because the majority of comments were positive, if not ecstatic! It is pure bliss to read the responses and see that there is still love for sidescrollers!
We've made our design choices with confidence, but it is so good to have it confirmed by the heaps of fans out there that they were the right ones, and that most seem to appreciate what we've polished and added - apart from graphics and sound, the expanded movement mechanics, weapon handling, improved enemy behavior and redesigned bosses.
It seems to shine through that we are fans too, that we have treated the heritage of Bionic Commando with the greatest reverence and respect, and that the essence of the NES original is very much kept intact. All of this is true. The original is a great game (one of the greatest in my opinion) and to proceed from such a blueprint is a very grateful task - a task that we are so very honored to have been entrusted with.
I'd like to say to all my fellow retro gaming fans, everyone who have let their warm feelings for 2D games be heard in their responses to the Bionic Commando Rearmed announcement: Unite! Let it be known! Spread the love!
I can speak for the entire Bionic Commando Rearmed development team when I say that we would love to do new 2D games or remakes of old ones, and if games such as Bionic Commando Rearmed can prove that there is a market for it, the publishers will surely heed the call! The future is bright, my friends!
Check out the BCR FAQ here, and keep your eyes open for news on Bionic Commando Rearmed - there are many more game modes and details that we haven't even revealed yet! We'll keep you posted.
