Get ready for a new kind of game that’s not for your momma! NetherWorld is a side-scrolling pixel art adventure that’s hot off a successful Kickstarter run and is heading to the PC and Nintendo Switch. We sat down with Dan Barreno, Hungry Pixel’s founder, developer, and designer to learn more about himself and his upcoming project!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure! I’m Dan Barreno, a video game lover, Engineer, currently developer and designer at Hungry Pixel studio and creator of NetherWorld.
What was the first console and game that you owned?
I remember my first console: the NES. It was a gift from my uncle and it came with the Super Mario game. In those days, it was already an old-fashioned console, but I enjoyed playing it a lot.
Do you have any fond childhood memories based around gaming?
Yes and it was with first Super Mario. I remember playing it with my father and giving him the controller when arriving to the first Bowser castle. That was so difficult for me at that time. I also remember when Metal Gear Solid 2 was launched and I played it for the first time when I was nine. I loved the first part of the game where you play with Snake on a ship. I’ve played that part more than 100 times for sure!
Let’s talk about your studio, Hungry Pixel. How did this come to be?
It all started with NetherWorld. I started developing it on my own: writing the story, drawing concepts, programming, etc. I decided to show my work on social media, especially on Twitter, and lot of people got interested in the project. They encouraged me to keep working on it, suggesting ideas, and bit by bit I saw this game was becoming something else; something bigger with high potential. That’s why I decided to work exclusively in programming & designing the game and soon Isabel reached out to me through a Spanish videogame developing forum. She’s an amazing pixel-art artist and took charge of the whole NetherWorld artistic area. It was while working together when Hungry Pixel Studio was born. Weeks later, Albert joined the team to be responsible for the communication and marketing plan of the studio and NetherWorld, at that time focused on the upcoming Kickstarter campaign. Besides communication, he’s currently working on the narrative and character design of NetherWorld. He’s crazy and I guess it’s the only way a person can write NetherWorld dialogues.
So, that’s the story of Hungry Pixel!
Your debut title, Netherworld, just completed a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. However, for those just learning about this (shame on you!), can you give a quick background on the game?
NetherWorld is a graphic pixel art adventure of a disgraced guy who is abandoned by his wife and handles his misfortune with alcohol, sex and drugs. It combines a deep, dark and twisted story, epic battles against grotesque bosses and tons of quirky characters. Are there cokehead mages in NetherWorld? Yes. And streetwalkers, dirty old men, etc. They will be key for your story progression.
Did you always have a passion to develop your own game?
I’ve dreamed of creating video games since I was a child. Now I have the knowledge and the tools needed to do that, so I won’t miss this opportunity. That’s a feeling everyone in Hungry Pixel shares.
What inspirations do you draw on?
We have some unusual inspirations, like Sergio Corleone’s Dollars Trilogy. NetherWorld desert environment is strongly influenced by the tough and violent atmosphere of spaghetti western. Another inspiration has been Undertale too and although NetherWorld is different from Toby Fox’s creation, I think its design, dialogues and character development is worthy of admiration.
Time to “switch” gears. What are your impressions of the Nintendo Switch?
I think that Nintendo in general and Satoru Iwata, in particular, got it completely right with this console’s concept. They got away from their competitors with a totally different product, attracting their loyal portable console players, but also keeping their traditional public by offering them the usual way of playing too (TV + controller + console). From design to marketing it is clearly a winning product and from the player’s point of view, playing a game like Zelda: Breath of the Wild in a portable way is priceless.
One of the goals met that has every Nintendo fan jumping for joy is the Switch port that will be done. How does it feel to be bringing your game to the Switch?
Having the opportunity to bring a game to a Nintendo platform is always a sign that there’s something you are doing well. Without a doubt, I feel we are on the right track and the Nintendo Switch community has shown us their amazing support and interest to play NetherWorld. Now it’s time to work hard to accomplish this objective.
What are your thoughts on creating a physical version of your game and could we expect any feelies/goodies along with it?
The possibility of enjoying NetherWorld in a physical edition is always positive. Everyone loves saving some megabytes in their console internal storage, right? Regarding to goodies, our hope is to include the instructions manual in the physical edition as a booklet, but there are some factors to take into account. Basically two: The final number of physical copies sold and the budget to make the copies and shipping. We’re studying different options to make this possible.
Is there a timeframe for when we can expect to play this on the Switch?
The official deadline for the project on Kickstarter was approximately a year (March 2019), considering at least the PC version. Regarding the Switch, we’ll try our best to accomplish that too. However, we can’t assure it 100% because the process doesn’t rely completely on us.
Besides your own, what upcoming game(s) are you most looking forward to?
Thinking of AAA’s, I’m willing to play Read Dead Redemption 2. I enjoyed the first one a lot, so let’s see what the Rockstar guys have prepared for us with this new title. Besides Red Dead Redemption 2, there are two games I really want to play: Bayonetta 3 and Metroid Prime 4. However, while waiting for them I’m pretty sure I’ll get Super Smash Bros for Switch! hahaha
On the other hand, if we talk about indie games, I’m closely following Death Trash and Valfaris. Hope to play them soon!
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Yes! First of all, THANKS to all the NetherWorld community for their incredible support and to Gaming Boulevard for this opportunity.
Oh, and two more words: DEMO SOON!
For those who didn’t know about NetherWorld until this interview, nice to meet you guys! If you wanna know more about the game, follow us on Twitter (@NetherWorldGame) and be the first to read our updates subscribing to our wonderful mailing list here: eepurl.com/cRqjhv
Hope to see you soon!
Follow Hungry Pixel and NetherWorld
http://www.netherworldgame.com/
https://www.facebook.com/netherworldgame
https://twitter.com/NetherWorldGame
https://www.instagram.com/hungrypixelgames/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1522665641/netherworld-drugs-sex-and-pixels-adventure-game
