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The German magazin PC Games published an interview with Michael Hoge (Mike) from Piranha Bytes in the edition of 01/2005. With friendly permission of the PC Games' editorial staff we are allowed to publish this interview too. |
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PC Games:
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The German specialized press was taken with Gothic 1 when it was released. But internationally the valuation was rather in the range of higher 70 per cent. Do you have an idea what might have been the reason for this?
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Mike:
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Really? I know that we were panned from several online magazines in the USA but we were also complimented by other ones. That means the valuations were beneath as well as far over 70 per cent. Sometimes we even achieved about 90 per cent. Those who panned Gothic always referred to the point that the game was a bit lame at the beginning. They found fault with too slow level advancement and too little possibilities at first. Besides the animations in Gothic haven't been amazing at all so far. And: The Americans didn't come to grips with the fact that running away from too strong enemies is part of the gameplay. We will change or attenuate these things in Gothic 3 for example in the case of running away.
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PC Games:
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You and your team have worked on Gothic 1 for more thand three years because you were - like you mentioned in a previous interview - very inexperienced. Where did you have problems?
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Mike:
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That's true. We made a lot of mistakes in Gothic 1 and had to learn the hard way. The complete story and the bigger part of the AI of Gothic 1 habe been developed within the last four months. Of course we benefitted from our preparatory work but most of what happened in those domains in three years has been rejected because it didn't meet our requirements. With programming it wasn't that bad but the poor boys were faced with a real challenge because of constantly alternating designs. This way you are able to make three years pass. (laughs)
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PC Games:
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Did you ever assume to become the best RPG developers in Germany during the development of Gothic 1?
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Mike:
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We hoped so but we didn't count on it. I was quite worried when Gothic 1 was released and to tell the truth I didn't expect such a positive response as Gothic 1 was quite infested with bugs. However, the fans rather enjoyed the good things than being annoyed with the bad ones. Therefor I'd like to thank you very much.
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PC Games:
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Has your team grown by-and-by?
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Mike:
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No. Now we work a bit more with outsourcing than in the past.
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PC Games:
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In the USA you can make a lot of money as a game developer. Does that also work in Germany?
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Mike:
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No. At least not here with us. Not yet.
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PC Games:
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Quite a few RPG fans wonder: How far is the development of Gothic 3 and when will it prospectively be released?
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Mike:
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Sorry, but the date of release will be announced officially. At the moment we are working on the first prototype of the new AI. Then we will start with the new fighting system.
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PC Games:
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What do you think is the biggest improvement of Gothic 3?
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Mike:
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In general: Simpler gameplay, a better start of the game and naturally better graphics and animations. Concretely: Navigation, which was in Gothic 1 and 2 in no way ideal. NPC's often got stuck at edges. That shouldn't happen in Gothic 3 any more. Thus a better behaviour of enemies is possible.
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PC Games:
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Which game are you looking forward to most?
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Mike:
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Halo 2.
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PC Games:
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Which game has impressed you lately?
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Mike:
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Beyond Good and Evil. I haven't seen such a cool game for quite a long time.
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PC Games:
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Wich skills are important for a lead-designer?
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Mike:
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I think the most important thing is to ask yourself one question at all times: Is this really important for the game or is it just a wish? If you start to design things because you think they would be cool then you are on the wrong track in the majority of cases. Even though I know that I myself am not always able to keep the design in perspective. But then there are still people like Björn Pankratz who remind me to come down to earth again.
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PC Games:
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If you didn't develop role-playing games what would you be then?
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Mike:
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Toy-designer. Does such a job exist at all?
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PC Games:
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Is there something you would like to say to those who are waiting feverishly for the release of Gothic 3?
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Mike:
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Everything is going to be alright! (smiles)
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