RVG Interviews Sivak Games

[zapiy]

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Here we have an interview with NES Homebrewer Sivak Games, the people behind the fantastic Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril and Battle Kid 2: Mountain of Torment on the NES.

Would like to say a huge thanks Jordan at Sivak Games for the Interview.

More here http://sivak.nintendoage.com/index.html


zapiy

Tell us a bit about you and Sivak Games?

Jordan

My name is Jordan and "Sivak" is an alias that I just have been using since around 1997.  It comes from "Sivak Draconian", which is the name of an enemy found in Dragonlance, which is a campaign setting in Dungeons and Dragons.  I thought they were really cool at the time, so I just used the name and have stuck with it.  I do a majority of the work by myself, but the game's graphics are mostly done by other people.

Shadowrunner

How long have you been making homebrew games for the NES?

Jordan

Since around October, 2007.  I made 3 simplistic games that all came out in 2008 and then moved into the more complex platformer games that are Battle Kid 1 & 2.

Shadowrunner

Why the NES?

Jordan

Making games for that system was something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid (as I'm sure many have). When I realized it was possible, I became one of the few who actually went through with doing it!

Shadowrunner

After Battle Kid 2 is released will you be starting on a new game?

Jordan

As of now, currently undecided on the NES homebrew front.  I do want to make something, but I'm not sure what, when, or for what platform.

TrekMD

Is there any aspect of the NES that you find particularly challenging when programming homebrew games for the system?

Jordan

Well, at first, just like anything, it was a different way of thinking about going about problem solving.  The more one does it, the easier and more natural it becomes.  The NES is limited in what you can do, but still pretty versatile.  One thing that's hard (but also fun) is not only coming up with a solution for a problem, but an OPTIMAL solution.  For instance, I would sometimes get results a multitude of ways, but, especially with Battle Kid 2, coming up with more efficient ways felt great.  One thing I haven't done is a scrolling game.  That definitely sounds challenging to do, but if I ever try it, I'm sure I'll get through it with enough effort.

TrekMD

If you could write games for any other retro system, which one
would you choose?

Jordan

Probably Super Nintendo.

TrekMD

How much time did it take to develop the two Battle Kid titles and what inspired you to write these particular games?

Jordan

The first game spanned October 2008 to November 2009 for development time and had a February 22, 2010 release date.  The second was July of 2010 to July of 2012 for development time and had a December 15, 2012  release date.

Jag_Slave

Whats it like creating music on the NES?

Jordan

Fun and a nice break from programming.  I've done midi arrangements in the past, so I was accustomed to how the tunes would work.  Following examples of things like volume control was also helpful for getting  some particular sound I might want.

Jag_Slave

What have you added content/story wise compared to the original Battle Kid?

Jordan

Content-wise has a wall grip item, in-game map, different enemies, a much better cut scene engine, more story seen in-game (although not a whole lot of focus is on story).

Jag_Slave

Do you plan on moving to more modern systems?

Jordan

I'd like to.  Possibly start with Steam.  The problem with these kind of systems is having money to actually get them off the ground.

Jag_Slave

What do you think is missing from video games now days that keeps us going back to the old stuff?

Jordan

Very hard question to answer.  I really don't know.  The old has its charm and the fact that it still exists and works today can bring back memories for those who remember it when it was new, or even younger people who may be curious about what things were like.  I guess in short the answer is charm. 

Jag_Slave

Are you looking for additional artists/coders!?

Jordan

Artistic talent is something I lack, so if I need anything, especially if I ever wanted a modern facelift for the game, I'd have to recruit someone.  Coding is a labor of love, so I don't know about that at this time.

108 Stars

Any chance that we will see Battle Kid appear on other systems such as the Master System or anything else?

Jordan

If I ever do another homebrew for a different system, it would likely be the SNES. That's a big "if" at this point though.

108 Stars

Battle Kid is very difficult. Are you a good player yourself and did that make you develop the games to be so challenging?

Jordan

I find most well-made platformers to not be all that hard.  Mega Man, Mario, Metroid...  just a little patience and practice and it's not too rough.  I find the same with my game.

108 Stars

Which games would you say inspired you to do Battle Kid?

Jordan

I Wanna be the Guy, Mega Man, Metroid, Castlevania, maybe a little Ninja Gaiden too.

108 Stars

Do you follow the homebrew- and indy-scenes on other platforms as well?

Jordan

The only other platform I have a game for is the Sega Genesis and that's Pier Solar. That's about the extent though.

108 Stars

After two action platformers, what genre would you like to try next?

Jordan

I personally would love to see an RPG that's Final Fantasy quality for the SNES, but to do that would require insane amounts of time, so I don't think that's for me.  However, MAYBE an overhead type game could be fun to try.

The Laird

Any chance of you converting your games to other 6502 based systems like the Lynx or 7800?

Jordan

I don't think so.  Sorry.

[TL]

Bit brief and doesn't go into much detail but nice of him to do the interview anyway.

[Shadowrunner]

Good interview. Thanks to both Jordan and Zapiy 

[zapiy]

Anytime, and thanks to all that asked a question.

[onthinice]

Good questions!

[TrekMD]

Nice of him to answer, even if the answers were short.