Welcome to a new Gaming Boulevard interview, today we sit down with José of Value Boy, a new game with a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Getting to know you
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Of course! My name is José, I am 18 years old and I live in Spain. So, I apologize in advance for my English. I am still a student in my spare time, but I am currently 100% focused on taking the game forward.
What was the first console/game you ever owned?
My first console I inherited from my father. It was a Sega Master System II, with 3 games: Sonic, Bubble Bobble and Pac-Mania.
Do you have any fond childhood memories based around gaming?
I think I was born with a gamepad under my arm, haha. But yes, of course, I have many good memories as a child playing with my wonderful SMS (especially with Sonic). Also, after much insisting to my parents and months saving money, I went to buy my PS2. I was so nervous!
Getting to know Value Boy
Congratulations on your successful Kickstarter campaign for your game, Value Boy, which appears to carry the spirit of those 8-bit arcade style games.
Thanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcuFksgAnCU
Creating a video game is no easy feat, so we want to know if this was always a passion you set out for yourself?
I’ve always wanted to create a video game and share it with others, but I have not always focused on it. It’s easy to lose your dreams and goals when problems occur and with life in general. However, it was not until about three years ago when I finished high school that I realized that I really wanted to do this.
Can you describe Value Boy and where the inspiration for it came from?
I would describe Value Boy as a flowing modern arcade with an 8-bit graphical look. Obviously today we have tools that allow us to do incredible things, but I try to maintain the limitation of the games of yesteryear. I also take many references and mechanics of my favorite arcade games (Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Spin Masters, Metal Slug, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, etc.)
What advice would you give to those wanting to develop their own video game based on your experience?
DO NOT RUN! I’ve been programming for four years and I’m still in diapers! If you dedicate time and passion to something, everything arrives.
With the Kickstarter campaign completed, what is the current status of Value Boy?
As you can see in the trailer, I have a fairly solid base of the game. Anyway, I want to devote a couple of weeks more to perfect control of the game to make it as fun as possible. Once I finish with all these technical problems, I will do what I like the most; level designs!
Is there a release date available?
No, but I estimate that it will be ready by the end of the year. At the latest the first semester of 2019.
Although your goal for a Switch port was not met, could we still see Value Boy make an appearance on Nintendo’s newest console?
I do not promise anything, but it would be very bad for me to go on its launch on Steam so that we do not see our boy on the other platforms.
Final Thoughts
Besides your own, what upcoming games are you looking forward to playing?
Well, this year I rely mainly on indies like Once Upon A Coma, Blasphemous, Narita Boy as well as great remakes of AAA titles like Spyro.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you to everyone and to let you know that both Wyver9 and I are going to work very hard to make a great game.
Follow Value Boy
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/josyanf1/value-boy-a-new-modern-arcade
