Koji Igarashi: 2D gaming not dead, it’s all about love

Koji “Iga” Igarashi, creator of the Castlevania franchise, is serious when he says 2D gaming is still kicking. While we are yet to find out which platform the next-gen Castlevania title will be on and if it’s going to be in 3D like its previous console iterations, we can be certain that Iga will still be looking at what he’s best known for.

In an interview, Igarashi gave the PS2 side-scrolling title Odin Sphere credit for being a great game. He said players loved it for the characters, but didn’t consider it as a true 2D action game. Making such game on next-gen hardware, according to Iga, is difficult. Fortunately, there’s the scene of downloadable content like Xbox Live which he believes to be a new avenue for developers who still want to go 2D.

For Igarashi, it seems Castlevania being 2D or 3D isn’t even the issue. “The bottom line is that the Castlevania series is an action-based game,” he said. Also, it’s all about developing games based on what he loves while still considering fan feedback. “I don’t develop games based on the markets; I develop games based on what I find exciting. I just develop based on what I love.”

Speaking of love, Iga expressed his support for indie developers or individuals who make their own 2D games. He advised them to develop what they love, since contrary to popular belief, working on 2D is not just the easy way out. Igarashi went on to say that:

A lot of people think of 2D development as something that’s simple, and very easily done, but think of all the assets, all of the small details, all of the little things that make it a really good game.

Koji “Iga” Igarashi, creator of the Castlevania franchise, is serious when he says 2D gaming is still kicking. While we are yet to find out which platform the next-gen Castlevania title will be on and if it’s going to be in 3D like its previous console iterations, we can be certain that Iga will still be looking at what he’s best known for.

In an interview, Igarashi gave the PS2 side-scrolling title Odin Sphere credit for being a great game. He said players loved it for the characters, but didn’t consider it as a true 2D action game. Making such game on next-gen hardware, according to Iga, is difficult. Fortunately, there’s the scene of downloadable content like Xbox Live which he believes to be a new avenue for developers who still want to go 2D.

For Igarashi, it seems Castlevania being 2D or 3D isn’t even the issue. “The bottom line is that the Castlevania series is an action-based game,” he said. Also, it’s all about developing games based on what he loves while still considering fan feedback. “I don’t develop games based on the markets; I develop games based on what I find exciting. I just develop based on what I love.”

Speaking of love, Iga expressed his support for indie developers or individuals who make their own 2D games. He advised them to develop what they love, since contrary to popular belief, working on 2D is not just the easy way out. Igarashi went on to say that:

A lot of people think of 2D development as something that’s simple, and very easily done, but think of all the assets, all of the small details, all of the little things that make it a really good game.