Reiko Kodama Interview

[Evil_Cloud]

http://www.got-next.com/features_read.php?id=73&pno=0

This is an interview with Sega producer Reiko Kodama (producer of Skies of Arcadia, to name one title), very interesting read along with some nice pictures of Sega Building One.

GotNext: We have heard rumors about a sequel or "gaiden" (side-story) game to Skies of Arcadia for a while. Can you tell us anything?

Kodama: We've had some plans, but the other team members are busy with games like Sakura Taisen right now, so it's on hold for the time being. But I think another game in the setting, with the sky pirates, would be great.

 

[tuna]

I feel pretty sorry for Kodama, she always have to work on Sega's troubled projects and never seem to be able to do the projects she really want to do. Hope she can do something she really feels for soon.

And that was a really good interview!

 

[Farid]

Thanks for the heads up Evil_Cloud.

Sega would be more than smart to start funding a sequel to Eternal Arcadia/Skies of Arcadia.
In other word, i don't expect them doing it...

Skies of Arcadia has so much more potential, especially in the US/EU (It bombed in Japan), than 90% of the others Sega's actual, uninspiring, projects.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

I feel pretty sorry for Kodama, she always have to work on Sega's troubled projects and never seem to be able to do the projects she really want to do. Hope she can do something she really feels for soon.

And that was a really good interview!

Yeah, they gave her Altered Beast after everyone at Sega saw the project was going the wrong way. Still, it looks like she's made the best out of the game, with limited time and no possibility to use another (more decent) game engine.

I hope Reiko will soon be able to create her own game again, maybe Skies of Arcadia 2.

 

[Refreshment]

Kodama: 15 years ago, the idea of a female hero was practically unheard of. We wanted to do things that hadn't been done before...like animated monsters and 3D dungeons. Thus, the idea a female hero came naturally. What sort of story would she have? We thought it'd be an interesting change[/b]

Wouldnt go as far as "unheard" since i think Metroid is from 1985.

Also briefly after Arcadia release i recall reports saying that they were at work with the sequel, it seems the stopped due to the low sales of the game. Wich is too bad.

OT:
Also what is Game Arts up to these days?

 

[Evil_Cloud]

Kodama: 15 years ago, the idea of a female hero was practically unheard of. We wanted to do things that hadn't been done before...like animated monsters and 3D dungeons. Thus, the idea a female hero came naturally. What sort of story would she have? We thought it'd be an interesting change[/b]

Wouldnt go as far as "unheard" since i think Metroid is from 1985.

Also briefly after Arcadia release i recall reports saying that they were at work with the sequel, it seems the stopped due to the low sales of the game. Wich is too bad.

OT:
Also what is Game Arts up to these days?

That is why the word 'practically' is mentioned.

And she said they couldn't begin the real production of SoA2 because the team is spread out at the moment, working on different games. There might be other reasons, but I think she wants to work with the same core group that made part one.


Also, what does Game Arts have to do with Sega? I thought they were doing something with either a MMORPG, or a Grandia sequel, not sure...

 

[Refreshment]

GA has nothing to do with SEGA, is just that the "BIG" DC RPGs are Arcadia and Grandia 2. Thats the conexion.

But GA tends to submerge, getting details about their projects is hard. Thats all.

 

[jarrod]

OT:
Also what is Game Arts up to these days?

An unrevealed DS RPG and Project GO (supossedly Grandia Online). They're also overseeing Tecmo/Kama Digital's Gun Griffon: Allied Assault on Xbox. They might also be involved with Marvelous Interactive's DS Lunar game, but that's still a little sketchy.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

OT:
Also what is Game Arts up to these days?

An unrevealed DS RPG and Project GO (supossedly Grandia Online). They're also overseeing Tecmo/Kama Digital's Gun Griffon: Allied Assault on Xbox. They might also be involved with Marvelous Interactive's DS Lunar game, but that's still a little sketchy.

There will be a feature about them in the future as well.

 

[Megadrive1988]

IIRC, Reiko Kodama was the main designer of the Phantasy Star characters.

hope she's involved with Phantasy Star Universe (Phantasy Star V ? )

GotNext: The core Phantasy Star series officially came to an end with the fourth game, although Phantasy Star Online continues in a sort of separate continuity. Have you ever considered going back and revisiting the original series with new games?

Kodama: Yes, I have. After 4, the team had thoughts about a fifth installment. In fact, the team still talks about it. The characters and setting are very near and dear to my heart, so I think it would be wonderful to do.

^__^

I <heart> the original 4 Phantasy Star games on the Genesis & SMS.

*we Phantasy Star Phans salute you*

 

[jarrod]

OT:
Also what is Game Arts up to these days?

An unrevealed DS RPG and Project GO (supossedly Grandia Online). They're also overseeing Tecmo/Kama Digital's Gun Griffon: Allied Assault on Xbox. They might also be involved with Marvelous Interactive's DS Lunar game, but that's still a little sketchy.

There will be a feature about them in the future as well.

Can't wait. GameArts has almost sat out this generation thanks to Square Enix's meddling... it's too bad we never saw the results of their early GameCube ambitions. That rumored cell-shaded Grandia remake would've been sweet.

 

[Refreshment]

Thanks for the heads up jarrod.

Thats a good amount of projects for a company, amazing how silent they move.

Also whats the source of the info? Some small press releases here and there i presume.