[Eibu]

Arigatou Brew Master-san. Thanks for your comments everybody. About the designer thing, the people I spoke with basically said companies generally don’t hire people without a background in computer programming/graphics. I look at one of my current mentors, Hideo Kojima (creator/director of Metal Gear Solid), who not only comes up with great games but also knows the ends and outs of computers and that’s the area I lack in. I suppose I could take computer courses and go to computer universities like they advertise on TV who can promise to make you a computer wizard by the time you graduate, but my passion is more for the creative part. But who knows, I really don’t know what I want to do as a career and right now I’m waiting to get called back from Toys’R’Us…
-----------------------
As I’ve explained before any thing that needs to be controlled with complete 360° movement (Farts, Flying Sligs, Munch under water) I have borrowed inspiration from Z.O.E. by using the analog stick to move on the level plain and two face buttons to control altitude.

As for Munch underwater levels this seems like a natural aspect of Munch to exploit since he is an aquatic creature and gives him more range as a character gameplay wise. I keep repeating myself but like I’ve said I have only played one level of Munch (Hydroponic Vats I believe) and in that level he saves nothing and gets no power ups. That experience plus what I’ve read leads me to believe that Munch seems fairly underused for taking the title of the game. Also we have a good grasp on what Abe can and can’t do so it’s fairly easy to come up with ways in which to use his abilities but I can only think of three aspects of Munch to work with: Machine-Jacking/Shocking, Swimming, Wheelchair riding. I know he has sonar but I have yet to hear or read about what it does exactly.

For underwater levels Munch can swim (ala ZOE control) in murky or clear water. Most natural water sources like lakes and rivers are murky and if he had to swim lets say in the equivelant of an Oddworld lobster tank then that would be clear. The reason for under water travel would be to find levers, buttons, jacks, and to reach new areas. Those are the only basic reasons I can come up with, I leave inventing new abilities for Munch to the Inhabitants. While underwater the obstacles are floating mines, possibly predators like Sea Rex in which Munch would have to dodge and find coral coves to hide in while the creature passes.

Some other simple puzzles I can think up right now…(it’s a rainy day here in Arizona and I just feel like going back to bed - or taking care of my sick girlfriend)…are say another obstacle are large electrified nets used for catching Gabbits. Munch could somehow detach one end of the net and carefully drag it to where the Magog cargo ships or Slig submarines dock and give them a surprise.

Another water obstacle could be Gabbit seeking torpedoes produced specially for Munch and he has to swim away until he can find a safe place or detonate the torpedoes. When Munch finds the torpedo launcher he could jack into it and remote control the torpedoes.

Possibly his sonar could be used on land and underwater. By sending out a sonar wave (which is a sphere in shape) some how waves could be sent back and where ever those waves are sent back are what you are trying to locate for that level like Fuzzles, switches, doors, etc. Maybe it could reveal new stealth invisible land minds (sort of like Abe’s Spirit Messages power).

Speaking of land abilities I envision Munch controlling more than just Snoozers or cranes. There could be more of a variety of technology for him to play with. Like a mining robot who drills into the ground, and the puzzle is to tap a water source to flood the shaft so Munch can reach a higher level.

And of course the team of Munch & Abe can be an invincible force! Like in my example for Fart Control Munch can do many things by jacking into environmental controls like a port for controlling certain doors to open paths for Abe and locking baddies away. Turning off the main lights making the room dark and creating many Shadow Zones for Abe to sneak his way to a switch that will activate a well/duct for Munch to quickly join Abe’s local and then have Abe pick up Munch and high-tail it away from the Sligs Abe snuck past.

I also like the idea of taking over Chant Supressors. Say like Abe needs to posses a captive Paramite but there is a Chant Supressor hovering in the air next to a platform. So Munch makes way to that small platform via a travel duct only he could fit through, stands next to the Chant Supressor, jack into it, and then control it the same way Munch is controlled underwater. The supressor needs to be destroyed because even if you move it a long way from Abe as long as it’s in the level in can stop Abe. So move it towards some Sligs and use the action button to zap Sligs making them fire their weapons at it and eventually blowing it up. Now Abe can chant freely!

(time to go, see ya and thanks!)