Tsutomu Kouno: LocoRoco and the PSP’s future

If you can recall the folks from IGN ran a feature that showcased developer insights about the future of the PSP. Well, what’s news here is that they recently featured the development team from Sony Computer Entertainment responsible for LocoRoco. IGN was able to talk to Tsutomu Kouno, Senior Game Designer of that beloved game of joy and joyfulness.

On LocoRoco specific matters, Kouno informed that in order to create the unique visual style of the game, he examined picture book art styles, cutout styles, clay art styles, etc. And to develop the graphics in the PSP, he used a technique called Bezier curve drawing.

As for the free demos, he says that he wanted it as a gift for all the users who bought a PSP. As for the unique music in the game, Tsutomu says that he wanted to use music in the game to help establish the world, help minimize localization, and he used odd coined words so that irregardless of language everyone in the world can enjoy LocoRoco.

The games controls were so because the PSP’s shoulder buttons stand out, and it translates well as a control for a rotating 2D screen. He also says that he feels that there are already a lot of complicated games today, so developing a simple game that everyone can enjoy without a manual is a good thing.

As for general PSP stuff, and prognostications of all things PSP, he says that when it comes to developing and designing games for the PSP he says that the advantages are the big screen, the ability to render Bezier curves, and the handheld’s processing ability.

Kouno also declared that it doesn’t matter which format you work on, next-gen or not, he feels that he’s able to decrease the cost of game production drastically by the way he approaches the development style and the game content itself.

As for the future of the PSP, he says that he wants to see more games use the Bezier function, and he wants to see more titles try to take advantage of the PSP’s processing ability and screen. Refreshing, since we often hear a lot of complaints about the PlayStation Portable’s memory.

Via IGN

If you can recall the folks from IGN ran a feature that showcased developer insights about the future of the PSP. Well, what’s news here is that they recently featured the development team from Sony Computer Entertainment responsible for LocoRoco. IGN was able to talk to Tsutomu Kouno, Senior Game Designer of that beloved game of joy and joyfulness.

On LocoRoco specific matters, Kouno informed that in order to create the unique visual style of the game, he examined picture book art styles, cutout styles, clay art styles, etc. And to develop the graphics in the PSP, he used a technique called Bezier curve drawing.

As for the free demos, he says that he wanted it as a gift for all the users who bought a PSP. As for the unique music in the game, Tsutomu says that he wanted to use music in the game to help establish the world, help minimize localization, and he used odd coined words so that irregardless of language everyone in the world can enjoy LocoRoco.

The games controls were so because the PSP’s shoulder buttons stand out, and it translates well as a control for a rotating 2D screen. He also says that he feels that there are already a lot of complicated games today, so developing a simple game that everyone can enjoy without a manual is a good thing.

As for general PSP stuff, and prognostications of all things PSP, he says that when it comes to developing and designing games for the PSP he says that the advantages are the big screen, the ability to render Bezier curves, and the handheld’s processing ability.

Kouno also declared that it doesn’t matter which format you work on, next-gen or not, he feels that he’s able to decrease the cost of game production drastically by the way he approaches the development style and the game content itself.

As for the future of the PSP, he says that he wants to see more games use the Bezier function, and he wants to see more titles try to take advantage of the PSP’s processing ability and screen. Refreshing, since we often hear a lot of complaints about the PlayStation Portable’s memory.

Via IGN