Interviews// GDC Exclusive: Tetsuya Mizuguchi

SPOnG: It looks like there’s a lot more going on on-screen at any one time compared with the PSP. How did programming for the Xbox 360 compare with the PSP?

TM: The power and the high-def allow us to paint many elements on the one screen. So, that’s really the reason for doing Every Extend Extra Extreme on Xbox 360 – the high-def and the 5.1 surround sound. It’s kind of an audio/visual interactive synthesizer. You’re playing the game, but you’re watching the reaction, and while you watch, the visuals and sound will change – it’s a DJ’ing or VJ’ing kind of experience.

E3 was kind of a ‘game’ game – E4 has many effects on the screen – you’re playing the music and visuals by playing the game.

SPOnG: How was it working with Microsoft – because it’s never really cracked the Japanese market?

TM: We don’t care just about the Japanese market at Q. I think the Japanese market is weird – Nintendo is so strong, so everybody plays Wii and DS and that’s it. The PS3 hasn’t happened yet – people are watching and waiting. And people are moving to the PC area – junior and high-school kids. I think before - three years’ ago - they went to the PlayStation; but no PlayStation now. Now they are moving to the PC, playing free download games, and it’s very dangerous. Everybody is waiting for the PS3 to come.

[E4] is a really good game for getting stoned to. We should do the press launch in Amsterdam.

SPOnG: You signed a deal with BVG/Disney Interactive for a number of games – how is that going?

TM: Meteos: Disney Magic is coming, using Disney characters in Meteos on the DS.

But with Lumines Plus, that’s it.

SPOnG: What’s your favourite Disney character?

TM: Nightmare Before Christmas.

SPOnG: What about input mechanisms? You had the Rez vibrator, but does the Wii Remote inspire you? Do you want to find a new form of interacting with games?

TM: Like a vibrator? Do you know Sens-o-rama? From the 1960s? Some guy made an arcade machine you put your head and hands in, and it had some kind of smell, wind and vibration, and 3D vision. That was great – I think it wasn’t much fun, but the concept was great, and that was the 60s, so it had no computer technology. That poster for Sens-o-rama made a big impact on me. I want to make those kinds of things, but on interactive computer systems. My first game was Sega Rally in the arcades, and I tried to put as many sensors and motors in it as I could. That was such fun. There was a speaker under the seat and I could make sounds like pebbles hitting the wheel-arches. I loved that, and I want to use vibrations on the controller, or a special device.

SPOnG: Thank you for time, Mizuguchi-san.

In case you’re really interested in Japanese power-pop, you can find the Genki Rockets info here.

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