Jeff Minter, founder of Llamasoft: Exploring Atari’s vintage games led me to the lesser-known ones for a fresh take. Unlike iconic titles like Asteroids or Centipede, where expectations are high, more obscure games offer untapped potential. I have a personal connection with I, Robot, having played it extensively in my friend’s arcade back in the day.
I admire the groundbreaking technology of I, Robot, especially the 3D graphics mode that fascinated me. Drawing inspiration from this, my version includes ‘The Ungame’, letting players experiment with the lights’ parameters.
Updating I, Robot required balancing Llamasoft’s signature style with a home environment appeal. Retaining the core gameplay while extending features was crucial to enhancing the overall experience. The revamped version introduces new elements like the Arena Mode and faster gameplay pace.
I’ve maintained the essence of the original to appease fans while infusing a touch of Llamasoft for dedicated enthusiasts.
Amid development challenges, ensuring the game transitions smoothly to various platforms was essential. While the technical aspects posed little difficulty, fine-tuning the gameplay experience for the Switch and Atari VCS was a primary focus.
Giles, our expert in graphics, found the Switch development smooth-sailing, praising Nintendo’s guidance. While the technical implementation was seamless, aligning the UI and functionality across various interfaces posed a unique challenge.
Despite the intricacies, the Nintendo Switch proved an excellent platform, enhancing the game’s performance and maintaining a consistent 60fps experience.
Jeff Minter: Collaborating with Atari has granted me creative freedom, allowing me to explore unconventional game titles. Although initial feedback is helpful, I value the autonomy to shape projects as I envision them.
Partnering with Atari not only offers financial stability but also fosters an environment conducive to creative expression. The flexibility to choose projects and steer them towards fruition shapes a promising future for Llamasoft.
Jeff Minter: Reflecting on potential projects from Atari’s catalog, our shared vision for future endeavors is a testament to our collaborative synergy. This mutual understanding paves the way for innovative and engaging creations.
The opportunity to delve into projects I’m passionate about, coupled with financial security, fuels my dedication to delivering quality content. Embracing this stability, I aim to continue pushing creative boundaries.
Jeff’s sentiments highlight the evolving landscape of the gaming industry, emphasizing the value of individuality amidst commercial pursuits. Aligning artistic integrity with financial success remains a challenge, especially amid the influx of games saturating digital storefronts.
Jeff: Critiquing the proliferation of ‘scam games’ underscores the dilution of artistic intent in favor of profit-driven motives. Engaging with genuine artistic expression remains a cornerstone of game development, preserving the essence of creativity in the industry.
Excitement abounds for the future release of the Switch 2, promising enhanced capabilities and gameplay experiences. While awaiting access to development kits, the team remains eager to leverage the new platform for even more thrilling gaming endeavors.
Giles: Optimizing games for lower-tier hardware sets a solid foundation for enhanced performance on future iterations. Mastering the technical intricacies early on enables seamless transitions to higher-powered devices.
This interview has been lightly edited for brevity.
A huge thanks to Jeff and Giles for taking the time to sit down and speak with us. I, Robot launches on the Switch eShop on 17th April 2025. Will you be picking it up? Let us know with a comment down below.