PC Gamer interviews Pete

[Xavier]

Soulstorm is darker, more sinister and goes places other games haven't, says Oddworld Inhabitants

http://www.pcgamer.com/oddworld-soul...t-gone-before/

Some info coming straight from OWI_Pete

[Gunnr]

Lol I was faster than you and posted this link in your Fat Kraken studios thread ;p
Good that you gave it it's own thread, though


Edit:
It sounds like Soulstorm is going to be something spectacular! the hype is SO REAL

[kapteeni13]

Darker... Sinister...
Looking forward to Oddworld: SoulStorm.

[Silver angel]

Everytime they say words like "dark and sinister", I love this developers more and more. Because this is the certain way I imagine Oddworld's universe. This is the one and only game in my gamer's practice that dare to talk about such things that any other game will never mention.

[Gunnr]

I love how all these Indies, old and new are collaborating on this newest oddworld installment. It's exciting on many levels.

Soulstorm style sounds like the polar opposite of new n tasty. With new n tasty was very bright, fun and a bit cuter while still retelling the story I remember slavery and mysticism. Soulstorm is looking to being grittier, darker even disturbing and telling a newer fleshed out story that we never got to fully see.
Light n' dark, bright colors and black n' white(in the pics so far ). Yin n' yang, a duality. I can't wait to see some kind of trailer or gameplay. Sweet interview Pete!!



*Phew* I was nerding out big time back there ':-)

[Manco]

I’m just glad to hear that Sherry McKenna is still part of OWI. Seriously, she’s almost never mentioned in anything to do with OWI, I figured she’d left a while back.

[Gunnr]

I’m just glad to hear that Sherry McKenna is still part of OWI. Seriously, she’s almost never mentioned in anything to do with OWI, I figured she’d left a while back.

I sort of figured she liked having a low profile and that's why not a lot is found about her. She's really great I admire her a lot

Edit: I've watch every interview with her I could find in the past, the one kjj posted v
is my fav <3

[kjjcarpenter]

Sherry McKenna did an extended interview at the rear-end of 2015. It's very informative and a great watch.

EDIT: What the hell is going on with that website? The entire right-hand side of the page is cut off for me. Could someone kindly post a transcript?

[Xavier]

Well that was a refreshing read

I really like what I'm reading in there. OWI really understand how fan interaction works now. Much better than the days of "we're not telling anything because we're not sure what we will deliver" that we had to endure before Stranger.

Also I can't wait to see all those creepy and disturbing things they are planning for this game. Dark Oddworld is the best Oddworld!

[Vlam]

Those comments are interesting:

Ah yes, the classic Conkers Method: take an aging, once-popular IP and add pandering content in an attempt to make the franchise look "mature."

I mean, it worked for Jak and Daxter. No? Well, how about Bomberman? No? Damn... uhh.... Bionic Commando? Sonic the Hedgehog? Golden Axe? I'm drowning here, folks!

I can't deny that it wasn't, but to hype an old IP by creating a darker, edgier version is a tired trope, IMO. Reminds me of American McGee's Alice - the original story is batshit alone, but McGee decided he wanted to be like all those tattoo artists from the 90's and make Wonderland into some dark, evil place.

It worked once... in 2000.

[OWI_Pete]

Those comments are interesting:

I totally understand where this guy is coming from, and his concerns. Maybe I could have elaborated a little more for clarity in that answer.

But I don't agree that Soulstorm's tone is taking something from the past and making it darker to appear edgy or to pander to anyone. Oddworld has always been dark, creepy, scary and sinister, in my opinion. We're just being Oddworldy again, really. The only difference is that we're now able to show more and tell more of the background because we have better tech and more time. But did anyone play through AO or AE and think "oh, what a lovely, lighthearted little gambol through an idyllic world"? Because, if you did, I think you might need to pay closer attention!

Anyway... all we can really do at this point is to tell you that we're excited about what we're making and we think you'll also be excited about what we're making. I know that sometimes saying that comes across as over-hyping or perhaps disingenuous, even cynical, marketing drivel but all I can ask is that you give us a little bit of your trust in the meantime and please know that we try to listen to all of our fan's feedback on everything that we do.

[Vlam]

I understand and thank you, Peter. Nevertheless, the main complaint was that NnT didn't capture the tone of AO (that's more subtle than it seems).

As for "being Oddworld", well, things are more complicated than that: maybe AO was a happy accident. Plus, AE (fans' favorite) which is less darker than AO, is seen by many as the "real Oddworld". Finally, keep in mind that there's a (disturbing) possibility that NnT is what AO "would" have been.

[kjjcarpenter]

. But did anyone play through AO or AE and think "oh, what a lovely, lighthearted little gambol through an idyllic world"? Because, if you did, I think you might need to pay closer attention!

What about Abe and Munch's Fun Adventures?

[Varrok]

I'll just post that:



and skedaddle

[Holy Sock]

To be fair Exoddus had some pretty grim stuff in there, too, despite its humour. I think you can still have humour in Oddworld without trivialising the horror of what the Magog Cartel are doing to the other inhabitants and environment.

[OWI_Pete]

I understand and thank you, Peter. Nevertheless, the main complaint was that NnT didn't capture the tone of AO (that's more subtle than it seems).

As for "being Oddworld", well, things are more complicated than that: maybe AO was a happy accident. Plus, AE (fans' favorite) which is less darker than AO, is seen by many as the "real Oddworld". Finally, keep in mind that there's a (disturbing) possibility that NnT is what AO "would" have been.

For obvious reasons, I can't be too explicit but how about this for a nice, clear statement: In my opinion, Soulstorm is absolutely darker, creepier and more sinister in its tone and execution than New 'n' Tasty was. I would have thought that what we've said and shown so far would make that pretty obvious but, as a fan myself (I worked washing dishes to save money for a PSX and AO), I do understand your reservations. All I can say is that you're obviously free to wait and see and if it turns out that it's not to your liking then, hey, nobody is ever going to take AO or AE away from you

[Holy Sock]

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any positive feedback on anything from vlam, Pete.

[Gunnr]

I'm curious as to what new "tricks and abilities" Abe will be showing and if there are newer concepts than in AE.

Abe will still posses his own fart in SS, right?