Although there have been many games over the years that use a hand-drawn style, none have managed to encapsulate the sheer sense of creative doodleness of Warp. The game’s developer, PizWiz, is currently seeking $7,000 on Kickstarter, and you can read a bit more about it in our latest edition of Kickstart This!
We chatted with the New Orleans-based developer and artist to find out more about the project, what he has in store for the future, and how to “become cow.”
Andrew Rainnie, Warp Zoned UK Correspondent: Hello PizWiz, thank you very much for agreeing to take time out of your hectic schedule to answer some questions. First of all, where does the name PizWiz come from?
PizWiz: The name PizWiz came from an old Homestar Runner sketch where they make a pizza website called Piz.Biz. It [has been] my gamertag since I can remember.
WZ – Andrew: You are seeking $7,000 in your Kickstarter campaign for the utterly delightful hand-drawn adventure game Warp. Can you explain the concept of the game in the length of a tweet?
PizWiz: [Warp] is an open-world, twin-stick shooter with point-and-click elements made completely out of doodles from my notebooks.
WZ – Andrew: Other games have tried a hand-drawn aesthetic before, but Warp looks fun and doodley and slick. Was this the style you had in mind from the beginning, or did it evolve with the concept of the game?
PizWiz: About six years ago I started a project called Crumples. It had the same aesthetic, but the game was terrible. I’ve always wanted to make a game with this aesthetic, so I was just waiting for a good idea. Now I have one.
WZ – Andrew: The game mashes together a lot of genres and crams in lots of things… from adventuring to shopping to crime-fighting to buying a home. Were you ever afraid the game was too busy?
PizWiz: Not at all. The main focus will always be the combat and collecting. As long as I never lose that focus, all the side stuff should just add to the fun.
WZ – Andrew: The game looks like so much fun to play. Should you not reach your Kickstarter goal, will the game still be made through other means? Will you seek more crowdfunding, or alternative financial avenues?
PizWiz: Of course.
WZ – Andrew: How did you get so good at drawing and doodling?
PizWiz: When I was young I climbed Mount Olympus. At the top Apollo bestowed upon me the power to become a god of art.
WZ – Andrew: You have another artist, NOYO, working on the game. How did the two of you meet and enter into this collaboration? Because the game comes across as an auteur project almost.
PizWiz: I know NOYO personally. Her style is much more realistic and graphic-novel oriented. I needed an artist to counter my style visually, and she was a perfect match.
WZ – Andrew: How does one “become cow?”
PizWiz: NOYO would say, “Get on all fours and moo, son.”
WZ – Andrew: You mention that your previous game Bowler has a mysterious connection to Warp. Care to share?
PizWiz: Not at all.
WZ – Andrew: You have some mysterious unnamed people helping with marketing and writing. Are their names redacted because we might know them, or are they wishing to remain anonymous?
PizWiz: They just wish to remain anonymous. I doubt too many people would know who they are.
WZ – Andrew: As a self-confessed Switch addict, I was happy to see you have a Nintendo Switch version listed as an $18,000 stretch goal, but the other consoles are higher at $20,000. What was the thought process there?
PizWiz: I would rather pay the licensing fees and work on a Switch release before an Xbox and PlayStation port. I just think the game would work best on Switch, as a lot of games do.
WZ – Andrew: You have been working in the games industry for a little while and competing in game jams. Do you have any advice for young or old coders looking to make their first foray into development?
PizWiz: The best advice I can give to new developers is start making a bunch of games. Make them very small and very polished. This will get you a job pretty much anywhere once you have enough.
WZ – Andrew: What do you play as a gamer?
PizWiz: I’ve played a lot of games. I love a lot of obscure titles. Something about finding a hidden-gem game is fantastic. Favorites include Chibi Robo, Live A Live, La Mulana, Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, and Checkers.
WZ – Andrew: Your campaign was pretty flawless in terms of content and rewards. Do you have any advice to give to prospective creative spirits seeking some crowdfunding cash?
PizWiz: Prepare everything WAY beforehand! Also, learn how to promote yourself successfully.
WZ – Andrew: What lies ahead for you beyond Warp? Do you have any other future game ideas you wish to share?
PizWiz: Too many to count, my friend. Warp is only the beginning!
WZ – Andrew: Once again, thanks to PizWiz for his time, and good luck with the Kickstarter campaign!
