An Interview with the Legendary Yu Suzuki on Bringing ‘Air Twister’ to Consoles, Inspirations, and More – TouchArcade

One of many cool issues about my job is that each on occasion, I get to speak to the folks behind the video games. It’s at all times a pleasure. Effectively, at this time we’ve got a extremely particular one for you, pricey pals. Mr. Yu Suzuki of Ys Web, the drive behind such video games as House Harrier, Out Run, After Burner, Virtua Racing, Shenmue, Virtua Fighter,  and numerous different titles, agreed to reply some burning questions we had about his most up-to-date sport, Air Tornado (). It launched on Apple Arcade some time again and will probably be making its option to consoles on November tenth of this 12 months by way of writer ININ Video games.

Earlier than we go into the interview, I wish to thank Mr. Suzuki for taking the time to reply these questions. I additionally wish to thank ININ Video games and Hound PR for facilitating this large alternative. Now, on with the present.

TouchArcade (TA): Hiya Mr. Suzuki, thanks in your time. We normally begin all our interviews with this query. What are your favourite pizza toppings?

Yu Suzuki (YS): Tomatoes. Sauce or in any other case.

TA: Air Tornado is seen by many as a religious successor to your earlier sport, House Harrier. What made you wish to revisit that sort of sport now?

YS: It began after I visited Apple headquarters and discuss heated up about the potential for making a title for Apple Arcade that might be performed again and again, identical to a basic arcade sport.

TA: What’s your private favourite side of Air Tornado and why?

YS: It’s a 3D world, however in that 3D world enemies transfer in 2D. It feels good in a “feels bizarre” sort of manner.

TA: Air Tornado initially debuted as a cell sport on Apple Arcade. Are you able to inform us about any growth or design challenges you might need had in bringing the sport over to consoles?

YS: We initially developed the sport utilizing a gamepad after which tailored it to touchscreen controls. As a result of we did it this fashion, we didn’t need to make any main adjustments to the UI or controls, so it was not a lot of a difficulty.

TA: Lots of the previous hits you labored on had been arcade video games. Are you able to inform us if and the way the expertise of constructing these sorts of video games helped form the creation of Air Tornado?

YS: I after all drew from House Harrier, however I used to be additionally capable of make the most of my expertise with touchscreen controls from a sport I labored on referred to as Psy-Phi.

TA: The world and creature design of Air Tornado could be very placing. Are you able to inform us about how these designs took place and a number of the inspirations behind them?

YS: There may be a variety of enemies, from organic creatures to machines, however all of them match inside the framework of the Air Tornado world. I needed to maintain creating new issues by combining this and that, however on the similar time needed to rein it in so they didn’t stray from that framework normal I had in my head.

TA: The soundtrack to Air Tornado is as superior as it’s sudden. What went into your determination to ask Valensia to do the music for the sport, and what sort of enter did you may have on it?

YS: I’ve been a fan of Valensia for a very long time and thought his music simply went so nicely with fantasy. Once we had the Air Tornado prototype in hand, I matched it up with a few of Valensia’s songs and was satisfied it was the very best match. And whereas I didn’t know if he was nonetheless lively as an artist, I seemed him up on social media to get in contact. I launched myself and straight out mentioned I needed to work with him.

TA: As somebody who has been a part of the video games trade virtually from the beginning, what would you say is essentially the most thrilling factor about trendy video video games in comparison with previous ones?

YS: The evolution of sport engines, the growth of the cell sport market, the recognition of VR, and the speedy evolution of computer systems are only a few of the issues I’m enthusiastic about.

TA: Any likelihood Princess Arch would possibly purchase a purple sports activities automotive and go drive round having fun with the passing breeze in her subsequent journey?

YS: I’d like to make that sport 😄

TA: Thanks once more in your time, Mr. Suzuki. Is there any message you wish to give our readers about Air Tornado?

YS: Air Tornado is a simple sport to select up and play, and I hope that extra folks will take pleasure in taking part in a sport that brings again the sensation of the nice previous arcade sport. I additionally hope that veteran players will benefit from the “on pins and needles” play of the Arcade Mode.

As soon as once more, a giant because of Mr. Suzuki, ININ Video games, and Hound PR for making this interview potential. Air Tornado is at present accessible on Apple Arcade, and will probably be accessible digitally and bodily by means of ININ Video games on November tenth of this 12 months for Nintendo Change, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X/S. It’s going to even be accessible digitally for Home windows on the identical date.