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The iconic Astro Boy is getting the big screen treatment he deserves and while this will please fans of the franchise they’ll also be happy to know that Tezuka Osamu’s creation is also getting the video game treatment with Astro Boy: The Video Game. Set for release on October 20th, 2009 the game will hit the Nintendo Wii, DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP. To understand the game, the movie and history here is a brief timeline of the franchise along with information about the game right from the developers. Cameron Rains answers questions about High Voltage Software’s approach to crafting a game worthy of the iconic figure while keeping pace with the movie.
For more information visit Wikipedia, which has more specific dates and series expansions.
- 1951-1968 –Tezuka’s Astro Boy manga
- 1963-1966 – Astro Boy anime (Japan)
- 1980’s – Astro Boy anime (US)
- 2004 – Astro Boy: The Omega Factor video game (GBA)
- 2004 – Astro Boy video game (PS2)
- 2009 – Astro Boy CGI movie
- 2009 – Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii, DS, PS2, PSP)
High Voltage Software Interview
Q: How much will the game follow the events of the movie? Will there be branches of gameplay to flesh out items not seen in the movie?
Cameron: Astro Boy: The Video Game covers the entire narrative of the film in over 30 levels. The cool thing about making the game is that when the movie cuts between locations, we as developers get to do some traveling with the player. In this way we have been able to realize more of Astro Boy’s world and we are confident fans of the film as well as fans of Tezuka’s Astro Boy will really appreciate.
Q: What exposure have you had to Astro Boy before coming to this project and how, if at all, did it shape development for you?
Cameron: Prior to working on Astro Boy: The Video game, I had spent a recreational amount of time with Tezuka’s manga as well as the Treasure GameBoy Advance title, Astro Boy: Omega factor. From reading the manga, I always thought that Astro would make a great game character and Treasure’s title definitely drove that point home. The team was really inspired by the film and especially the manga to create a fun, intuitive game with a strong replay value and amazing characters.
Q: What type of downloadable content can gamers expect? Movie clips, manga pages (just a few ideas)?
Cameron: Currently there is no plan for downloadable content in Astro Boy: The Video Game. That being said, Imagi provided us with an amazing amount of film’s assets and we were able to include movie clips and models.
Q: How have the Wii, DS and next-gen versions of the game varied? What format will each take be it third-person or top down?
Cameron: High Voltage Software developed Astro Boy: The Video Game on Wii, PS2, and PSP in a 2½D perspective. What this means is that while gameplay takes place in two dimensions (much like classic Nintendo games), the environments and models are all rendered in 3D. The experience across the High Voltage Software developed versions for each console will not differ. We provide the same killer action-platformer/shooter experience regardless of which platform you decide to pick the game up for.
Q: Why should Astro Boy fans get excited about the upcoming game?
Cameron: First and foremost, it’s Astro Boy! Secondly, it’s really fun to play. Being huge Astro Boy fans here at High Voltage Software, we really wanted to create a game that was true to the Imagi film, but also deeply rooted in the license. We took great care in retaining the classic icon that is Astro Boy, profiled hair spikes and all. Additionally, we created some very cool exclusive characters and fiction that seamlessly blend into the Astro Boy universe.
Q: Why should the average gamer get excited?
Cameron: Astro Boy is one of the most beloved icons in history. His story is one of adventure and excitement, life and loss, and standing against seemingly insurmountable odds. Astro Boy: The Video Game delivers all of this and more with an incredibly fun, accessible gameplay that we believe gamers are going to really enjoy.
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