Y2K Interview: ‘Our Biggest Focus Was Believability’

Andrew Allanson From Ackk Studios sat with GamingBolt to talk about Y2K 3D, a turn-based, Japanese-style RPG that is due for PS4 and PS Vita. Check out the full interview below.

Rashid Sayed: What platforms is the game coming out on?

Andrew Allanson: Good news! Y2K is coming to PS4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, and Steam. Xbox One version isn’t currently planned as we couldn’t get access to development kits during the planning phase.

Rashid Sayed: Are there any plans to make Y2K cross buy for PS Vita and PS4?

Andrew Allanson: It’s something to think about.

Rashid Sayed: What was your inspiration behind the development of Y2K?

Andrew Allanson: Mother 3 specifically (although Mother 2 for sure.) Persona, Lufia 2, 999, Detective Club, and a few animes… like Psycho Pass, Death Note, and Welcome to the NHK. In addition a lot of influence comes from the author Haruki Murakami. Sputnik Sweetheart, The Wind up Bird Chronicle, and Dance Dance Dance.

Rashid Sayed: Y2K promises to have a very strong script. What can you tell us about it?

Andrew Allanson: Our biggest focus was believability. You have all these super natural, and surreal things, happening around you. The only way to make that work is to have characters who not only react realistically, but develop in the situations real people would develop.

This is why the cast of characters is so diverse. When people meet new people who come from different backgrounds and are thrown into new and strange situations, they all grow as people. So I think the strongest element of the script is the character development. That and it doesn’t usually get too heavy handed.

Rashid Sayed: Why did you adopted for turned based approach for combat?

Andrew Allanson: Turn Based Combat is something that seems to be dying it games. I’ve wanted to do a 3D RPG for a while, and current trends can’t convince me not too… as much as it might be preferred to do something closer to dragon age.

Rashid Sayed: Do you guys have a release date locked in?

Andrew Allanson: Late late this year!

Rashid Sayed: How have Sony supported in the development of Y2K?

Andrew Allanson: Very good. We’ve had a great experience with all of our partners. Really professional group of people, who know how to foster creativity.

Rashid Sayed: Is there anything else you want to tell before we let you go?

Andrew Allanson: We’re going to have Y2K playable at Pax East this upcoming March. We’ll have quite a bit of the game to show off, and we’d love it if you stopped at the AckkStudios/Ysbryd booth to check it out. I promise you that it’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever played.