Popular gaming site IGN.com has posted an interview with Jeffrey Peters, marketing and public relations manager at Longtail Studios, regarding the new TNA Mobile game!Peters talks about the creation of the game, the characters, gameplay modes and much more!
Here is the full interview as seen on IGN.com:
Professional wrestling isn't exactly an ideal genre for mobile, so when we heard that Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was making a cellphone game, it certainly raised a Peoples' Eyebrow or two. Jeffrey Peters, marketing and public relations manager at Longtail Studios, was happy to oblige our curiosity and explained the approach to making a wrestling game for wireless.
IGN: What were your influences when making this game? We noticed that it looks very similar to the Fire Pro Wrestling series as far as the gameplay goes – was that the sort of approach you were taking?
Jeffrey Peters: What we wanted to do was create a wrestling game optimized for mobile. We played just about every wrestling game released over the past 20 years while creating this game to find out might work and what might not. That is one reason why we settled on a strategy/turn based model, which we feel is a new take for mobile wrestling games. Another reason is that we wanted to immerse the player in the game and this direction actually rewards the player for thinking and developing their move set. It's truly a completely new type of mobile wrestling game.
IGN: Since this strategy / turn based gameplay allows for some time between turns, will there be a multiplayer component to this?
JP: We didn't want to create a connected game where you would be stuck waiting for another player to make a move. We wanted the story to be self contained and the player to be able to advance at their own speed. While the game is turned based, you're not waiting around for something to happen. When you're not on offense, you are formulating a turn based defensive strategy. No matter what, you are always involved in the action.
IGN: How will the storyline be effected by your decisions? Will there be separate story arcs based on whether your character is a face or a heel? Will you be able to change your persona during the game? How many different story paths can you take through the course of the game?
JP: Every decision you make affects your character. Without giving too much away, you are awarded face and heel points based on your responses and actions during the game, which will skew your overall persona.
We wanted to try and show how the career path of a wrestler can change based on what's happening around them and the situations they find themselves in, so yes, you will be able to change your persona throughout the game. Of course, you'll have to deal with the repercussions of your previous decisions.
Your ultimate goal is to become the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, but there are many paths that can lead you there.
IGN: Will the audience effect your character's performance?
JP: Since the audience is a big part of professional wrestling and especially TNA, we wanted to make sure that that was shown in the mobile game. You'll see the crowd's reactions to the action in the ring, cheering and booing for their favorite stars. Depending on what you say and do in the ring, you can gain and lose crowd support. They'll be vocal the whole way.
There are different "crowd powers" for heels and faces, so that's another way your decisions play in the game. If you're able to "pump up" the crowd and get them behind you, you'll start to fill your crowd meter. Once your meter is full you'll be able to use, special "crowd power" moves that cause more damage to your opponent. These crowd power moves will be unlocked based upon the decisions you make during the game. For example if you're playing as a heel you'll learn different moves than if you're playing as a face.
IGN: How deep with the customization of your character go? Will you be able to unlock new costumes? Could you potentially learn every skill in the game, or are there a set amount of points to allot to your character? Is this based on your performance during matches?
JP: At the beginning of the game you'll create your wrestler by customizing their looks, body type and name. Throughout the game you will constantly be tweaking the persona of your wrestler with the decisions you choose. There will be the opportunity to edit your ring attire in the game.
Depending on the path you choose, how well you wrestle, and how you choose to carry yourself outside the ring it's possible for you to learn most of the moves.
In order to learn new moves and gain "crowd powers", you'll have to accumulate points through your actions both in and out of the ring.
IGN: Were any of the TNA performers involved with the creation of the game?
JP: We did consult with a number of wrestlers and members of the TNA management and creative teams throughout the game's development.
IGN: What sort of gameplay modes can we expect to see?
JP: The overall gameplay combines both wrestling and story modes throughout. There are a few other gameplay modes specifically related to the wrestling. You'll also have a number of different matches that are playable including tag matches, gauntlets, 2 out of 3 falls, lumberjack and iron man matches.
Also, once you complete the game you'll be able to unlock an unlimited wrestling mode where you can play as the TNA stars. So in addition to playing the story, you'll be able to have matches whenever you like with the wrestlers that appear in the game.
IGN: Is there anything in the works for the iPhone?
JP: Absolutely, we do have a TNA Wrestling iPhone game in the works. You can look for more information on that in the coming months.
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