Interview mit Noriyuki Hiyama zu Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny

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PlaystationPortable.de: Can you introduce yourself and tell us more about the development team behind SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny. What have you done before?

Noriyuki Hiyama: Hello everyone, my name is Noriyuki Hiyama and I am the director of SoulCalibur Broken Destiny. I started being involved with this series from SoulCalibur 3 and since then, I have been working in the development team. After SoulCalibur 3, I worked for the arcade version of SoulCalibur 3 and SoulCalibur 4 which was released last year, now I am the director which I am much honored to be.

Like myself, most of the members in our team have been working with the series from the beginning, and there are even some members from the original team who created Soul Edge or in other words the very first version of SoulCalibur. SoulCalibur Broken Destiny is an outstanding work which is made by these people who have a lot of passion and experience in developing the series. I hope you will enjoy the latest installment of SoulCalibur.



PlaystationPortable.de: Why did you decide to develop a SoulCalibur game for the PSP now and not at an earlier stage?

Noriyuki Hiyama: We had been discussing about the best timing for developing this game while considering many different issues. It was the very first time for the series to have a version for a portable device, and we had a very specific concept there. We wanted the concept to be realized in the actual game and to satisfy the players. This is why it took us a long time to develop the game and now we are releasing it. It is not another version of SoulCalibur 4 but it is a brand new game with a new concept, which we have created with all of our energy; I am sure that everyone will enjoy it.

PlaystationPortable.de: Can you tell us more about the gameplay? What does Broken Destiny offer what SoulCalibur 4 didn’t have or where are the main differences?

Noriyuki Hiyama: We can find the main difference in the new concept. Our aim for this game is to attract people who think that fighting games are too difficult, or who used to play one but cannot follow anymore, or who are thinking to quit because they cannot win even though they want to; we want to change their attitude thanks to this game. This concept can be found in THE GAUNTLET mode which is the main mode. We support beginners here by explaining all the system of the game and helping them understand it, as well as people who already know the game by training them to become stronger and more skilled. Moreover, it has a light atmosphere which is enjoyable to everyone, and each playing session is short so that the players can stay active all the time. If you keep playing this mode, you will be stronger, you will be able to win, and will enjoy the game more and more. We would like to invite the players who hesitate playing fighting games to play our game. As this game is for a portable device, playing wherever and whenever we want is an important aspect. Assuming that players will be playing alone most of the time, some factors are well made in order to train themselves and also to enjoy one game very simply and quickly. I hope the players can experience it as soon as possible.

PlaystationPortable.de: A lot of fans liked the Star Wars characters in Soul Calibur 4. Why did you decide to switch to Kratos from God of War for the PSP?

Noriyuki Hiyama: Because he is popular all over the world, and we thought that his weapons and actions harmonize with the ones of SoulCalibur. Also there were many people who have requested us strongly to put him on the game, and we wanted to act in response to them. After putting him in SoulCalibur, what we were surprised about was that he’s so much more suited for the SoulCalibur world than we actually expected at first. Kratos has his own unique action and power, but we get the feeling as if he has always been in the SoulCalibur series. The quality of his motion and plays is really high, so we believe that we won’t fail to measure up to the expectations of all the fans of the original Star Wars as well as the ones of SoulCalibur series.



PlaystationPortable.de: With Tekken 6 and Dissidia: Final Fantasy coming up, there is a strong competition out there. What does Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny have, what the other games don’t offer?

Noriyuki Hiyama: First of all, in SoulCalibur, there are the unique gorgeous graphic, along with the high quality motion and the sound. I suppose that we could say that it is the best in PSP games. We have put lots of effort in the game designing, and there are more active tactics and strategy in the refined battle system than the other games, as well as other diverse enjoyable elements. Secondly, I must mention again the game concept itself which I mentioned before and “THE GAUNTLET” mode which reflects the concept. This mode is totally new and doesn’t exist in other rival games. There wasn’t a game before that both beginners and experienced players or anybody can enjoy, and nobody made a mode where players can practice the battle and improve their skills (Laughing). Plus, I don’t think that we can find, in any other games, both the freedom for the players and the high quality as much as in SoulCalibur while having such an exciting battle mode at the same time. I am sure that there are good aspects in other games too, but there are many reasons to consider SoulCalibur as the best title in other rival titles. I am sure that all of you will be satisfied with the game.

PlaystationPortable.de: Will you offer online game play?

Noriyuki Hiyama: Yes of course. As it is for a portable game console, we developed the game assuming that many of players will be playing alone most of the time, but its main to make the players stronger and enjoy the battle. Fighting with other players is one of the most important aspects and the most exciting moment of a fighting game, so we hope that players will have fun in different modes bringing their ability into full play.
Speaking of the battle, it is also very enjoyable that we can create our own characters in a creation mode. In this creation mode, we can fully coordinate the position, the angle and the size of the parts; we can also take a picture of what we want for the thumbnail which will be displayed on the character select screen before fighting. It will surely liven up the battle, so please try it!

PlaystationPortable.de: Can you tell us more about your future plans, what can we expect?

Noriyuki Hiyama: Of course we would like to develop another SoulCalibur game. We cannot stop thinking how we can make a more enjoyable game or what could be the new feature for the game. We would like to meet the expectations of the players and satisfy their demands; we will try to learn new things and put everything we have into the series. We hope to continue creating titles for the SoulCalibur series which satisfy everyone even more.

PlaystationPortable.de: What is your opinion about digital distribution and the PSPGo? What opportunities do you as a developer see and what risks could a fully digital distribution come along with?

Noriyuki Hiyama: I think it is a convenient system because we do not have to carry bulky game discs and can easily purchase new games. On the other hand, there are certain attractive aspects for us in selling physical games too, so we would like to observe the situation carefully and look for many possibilities. Whatever they are, we will consider the needs of players as the priority, and we will do our best to fulfill them.



PlaystationPortable.de: Is there anything you would like to tell our readers?

Noriyuki Hiyama: I believe that SoulCalibur series are supported by all the fans and it exists because of them. Every time we hear from the fans, it gives us the will and power to work on the game harder and better. Because we would like to grant the valuable request of each of them, we cannot communicate with all the fans individually. We will do our best to deliver great products to you all, so please enjoy yourself.

The interview was held by Kevin Jensen for PlaystationPortable.de

Thanks to Noriyuki Hiyama for his kind support.