Producer Ben Judd: Bionic Commando franchise “hook,” target market clued

Ben Judd, at the helm of production for Bionic Commando (PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360), was featured in a podcast and spilled details on Capcom‘s attempt to revive the NES classic. Judd revealed that Bionic Commando was being aimed at a “middle ground” of the gaming market and that its key characteristic would be the swinging mechanic.

While the most of the hour-long conversation dived into remarks on games as art, the growing trend of classic revivals, and how most revivals will never address the hardcore fan base because of money, Judd was able to squeeze in a few thoughts on what appears to be the production team’s views on Bionic Commando as a product.

As a producer, Judd admitted that he first felt that he had to make Bionic Commando “the greatest game ever,” but recent training from Capcom’s internal producers told him to “stop looking at games as games.” To that end, he found it difficult to step out his gamer shoes to view the production from a business perspective.

Taking two steps back and viewing the title from a marketing standpoint, said Judd, showed that reviving the classic would have to be a consideration of a “middle ground” – that is, there’s enough profit to be had without sacrificing as many features faithful to the original. There’s a risk of alienating hardcore fans, but there’s more money to be made, he says.

Also, the game’s key selling point – or “hook” as a representative from Capcom’s subsidiary described it – would be the swinging mechanic. While already offered by Activision‘s top selling Spider-Man 3, Bionic Commando‘s version may not be so semi-automatic in flow and may even require some skill – or so Judd hints.

More details, and perhaps more clues to the Bionic Commando remake, as they come in.

Ben Judd, at the helm of production for Bionic Commando (PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360), was featured in a podcast and spilled details on Capcom‘s attempt to revive the NES classic. Judd revealed that Bionic Commando was being aimed at a “middle ground” of the gaming market and that its key characteristic would be the swinging mechanic.

While the most of the hour-long conversation dived into remarks on games as art, the growing trend of classic revivals, and how most revivals will never address the hardcore fan base because of money, Judd was able to squeeze in a few thoughts on what appears to be the production team’s views on Bionic Commando as a product.

As a producer, Judd admitted that he first felt that he had to make Bionic Commando “the greatest game ever,” but recent training from Capcom’s internal producers told him to “stop looking at games as games.” To that end, he found it difficult to step out his gamer shoes to view the production from a business perspective.

Taking two steps back and viewing the title from a marketing standpoint, said Judd, showed that reviving the classic would have to be a consideration of a “middle ground” – that is, there’s enough profit to be had without sacrificing as many features faithful to the original. There’s a risk of alienating hardcore fans, but there’s more money to be made, he says.

Also, the game’s key selling point – or “hook” as a representative from Capcom’s subsidiary described it – would be the swinging mechanic. While already offered by Activision‘s top selling Spider-Man 3, Bionic Commando‘s version may not be so semi-automatic in flow and may even require some skill – or so Judd hints.

More details, and perhaps more clues to the Bionic Commando remake, as they come in.