AMANDA DYAR: Skara: The Blade Remains is a game that received a lot of support from backers on Kickstarter. Can you tell us a bit about the team's decision to place the project on the crowdfunded site and describe the game's journey on Kickstarter including how the team chose backer rewards?
CESAR ORTEGA: Skara has been under development for just over a year now, however the concept has been in our day to day discussions with friends, co-workers and Pablo’s students for several years. We have built Skara around what we’ve heard from potential players and that has allowed us to count on a very strong and involved fan base.
We like to say that Skara is being designed by gamers for gamers, and thanks to Kickstarter, future players will also get to contribute towards the development of the game by allowing Skara to be funded by the future gamers without the need to access institutional funding that so often forgets about what the gamers really want by focusing on the bottom line only.
The rewards have been designed so backers can make a difference in the world of Skara not only by getting to play early but by accessing unique items that will differentiate their avatars forever. Also, it is difficult to ask for money in a Free-to-Play video game knowing that players will be able to play for free one day, however we need the money to complete the development and so we are offering 100% of the money you pledge in Kickstarter back in virtual currency so you can play in new arenas or get to acquire unique items.
Backers should think of their money as an investment in a promising project that is already well underway in terms of development.
AMANDA DYAR: Skara: The Blade Remains would most likely fall in the action, online arena genres that doesn't seem to have many other contenders. How did the team come up with the initial concepts for Skara and how do you believe the final product will hold up against games such as Chivalry: Deadliest Warrior?
CESAR: Skara is the result of a call for better quality F2P action oriented video games by the community, and we aim to answer that call.
Skara has many differences with Chivalry. Our combat system is Versus-oriented, so skill, reflexes and accuracy will make the difference when it comes to battle. Also, the fact that we are a fantasy-based game will provide tools to the player that are more similar to an RPG. Players will write their character's story and evolve the way those characters collaborate and fight on the battlefield.
AMANDA: One of the first things we noticed when loading up the alpha for Skara: The Blade Remains was the fine detail in character models. How will the game's graphics develop over the next several months leading up to launch and how much of the current build will be reflective of how good the game will look when the game is completely finished?
As we begin to master Unreal 4 we are seeing a lot of progress in our characters and arenas. For example, our upcoming playable races – Shinse and Celea - will have an incredible level of detail, shaders and material, and we are taking all we learn to the previous character. Everything in Skara will be enhanced before the final launch, from character to arenas, particle effects, User Interface and more…
The standards for the design have already been established. Just see what we have already shown in videos! From now on we will concentrate on creating new arenas and more assets that players will be able to acquire to personalize their characters.
AMANDA: The current build for Skara: The Blade Remains only feature two modes of play and two maps. Can you give us any idea of how many levels will be included in the final version and can you talk about any new game modes that will be added soon?
CESAR: Yes, the Early Access version will have those two arenas freely accessible and one more scenario that will be accessible to eager players only. The number of game modes will very much depend on the result of our Kickstarter campaign although it shall increase with time.
Our plan for the final release is having five playable races and six arenas, as well as several Game Modes, including the existing free-for-all and Team Deathmatch, but also Dominion, Capture the Flag, Gladiator, Regicide and Siege.
AMANDA: Skara: The Blade Remains is scheduled to release on Steam Early Access in July. What new features will be available to players when the game arrives next month and what does the team hope to accomplish by releasing the game in progressively released form?
By doing so, we can guarantee a smooth transition from Alpha to Beta by allowing the most engaged players to play from the beginning and guaranteeing a high quality product when Skara "hits the shelves."
AMANDA: There are talks that Skara: The Blade Remains is in development for Xbox One. How long of a delay should fans expect between the full release of the game for PC compared with the release date on Xbox One. Also, is there any chance the game will be released for PlayStation 4 in the near future?
CESAR: Yes, we have already started conversations with Xbox One and we are currently working and testing Skara with our Xbox One Dev. Kits. We would like to release this version by the end of 2014, we have not yet talked to Sony but we’d very much like to release Skara for PS4 hopefully at around the same time.
To learn more, visit the official Skara: The Blade Remains website.