What process do you follow in order to choose what franchise to add to your game?
We have to like it, that’s the process! The studio is filled with geeks, comic books and action figures. When we decided to introduce Dr Who, of which we are fans, we discussed at length how best to frame the levels and give an experience true to the saga. We need to have fun, if we don’t like it we feel we have nothing to say about it, and we can’t create the right experience.
Okay then, spoil a future character for me! What are you a fan of?
Well, I’d say Sonic…
Okay, but come on, one you haven’t announced yet!
Well the problem is every word I say is under scrutiny… but seriously, I’m really happy about Sonic. It was the first videogame I had: Sonic the Hedgehog, on Master System. And now I get emails from the Japanese Sonic Team, it’s surreal. We have a lot of history with Sonic and now we can bring it back to life: it’s fantastic.
Was there a brand that was harder to implement in a game than the others?
Mmh… probably Dr Who itself. It’s got 52 years of history and everyone has their favourite Doctor. I’m sure you have one too. I’d say… Tennant?
Mmmh.. no!
What’s your favourite?
Hard to say, I like Capaldi, and the War Doctor too. And the ninth doctor. I love him, even though few appreciate him.
It’s one of those situations where we had to study what the best option was. Who’s the best Doctor?
Well, you could put them all in, I’d buy them…
They are all in. If you die in the game as the Doctor, you regenerate into another one! The Tardis also changes. That’s how we solved it.
What do you think is the ideal target of this game? A kid, or maybe more of an adult with a passion for collectables?
We’re aiming for families. I have a daughter, and I love sitting with her on the sofa, so she can tell me how to play a game I myself created: that happens quite a lot! It’s beautiful, because we have also implemented pretty old brands, like Ghostbusters: today’s kids might not know them, and this game is a door to introduce these brands to them. My daughter has played the Doctor level and said, “cool! Can I watch the TV show?”. Of course you can, my dear! So that’s a way to make kids today aware of the franchises of the past.