Interviews

Talking up the scares of Dementium: The Ward DS with Renegade Kid

Why the deserted lunatic asylum shooter is more Metroid Prime Hunters than Touch the Dead

Talking up the scares of Dementium: The Ward DS with Renegade Kid
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DS
| Dementium: The Ward

It wasn't that long since we were testing our nerves within the grotesque, stylus-based, survival nightmare that is Dementium: The Ward. And with the game primed for its North American release (still no news on the European schedule yet), we thought it only right to delve into the twisted minds of its creators at Texan studio Renegade Kid.

Cue maniacal laughter and the arrival of the owner and creative director, Jools Watsham.

Pocket Gamer: Considering the DS is now a very massmarket console, and games such as Capcom's Resident Evil DS weren't particularly successful, do you think there's still a market for this type of game?

Jools Watsham: Perhaps at the time of Resident Evil's release, which was over two years ago, there wasn't the audience. Today though, I think there's an audience that wants this type of content.

If Capcom created an exclusive Resident Evil game for the DS, it would probably receive a warmer welcome than there was for the conversion of an older RE title. However, I'd love to see an adaptation of Resident Evil 4 on the DS, wouldn't you? Perhaps it could be played from the first-person perspective and use a sophisticated 3D engine, such as… I don't know, the Dementium one maybe?

Did you ever consider using an on-rail approach such as used by Touch the Dead?

No, I didn't. I wanted to create something that had the freedom of a traditional first-person shooter. Rail shooters can be a lot of fun to play, but they are a very different type of gaming experience.

How did you decide on the control mechanics and will there be any customisation options?

Metroid Prime Hunters proved that using the stylus for aiming works well, so we adopted the same approach. Dementium: The Ward supports a left-handed control set-up, too.

How difficult has it been to get 3D graphics working smoothly on the DS?

It's been challenging, but no more so than working on any other game really. We evaluated the DS's hardware capabilities, and designed a game that utilised its strengths. It truly was a combination of design, art, and programming working together to produce the end result.

What to do you think are the game's unique selling points?

Dementium: The Ward focuses on delivering a solid single-player run-and-gun action-adventure experience, with puzzles and story to spice it up a bit. In terms of our USPs, I think they're great visuals, intuitive gameplay, impressive audio and a chilling atmosphere.

Why did you decide to add puzzles and exploration in with the shooter gameplay?

Solving the puzzles and exploring Redmoor Hospital is required in order to progress through the game. Personally, I think exploration and puzzles are very important additions to the overall gaming experience of Dementium: The Ward. Variety in gameplay is fun, and keeps it interesting.

Our thanks to Jools for his time. Dementium: The Ward will be released in the US on Halloween.
Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.