Even during a different meeting between our point person for external developers and MAGES., they brought up the subject by saying, “By the way, we’ve updated the remakes proposal we talked about the other day!” and, “We’ve also updated the video materials. Here’s what we want to create!” and so on. I heard those suggestions continued for more than a year.
Seeing how serious they were, our staff started pitching their proposal and reference materials to internal teams, and that’s how it started.
Wow, that’s passion right there! Why was MAGES. so excited about the remakes?
Miyachi:
It seems like there was a staff member who was a huge fan of Famicom Detective Club.
Sakamoto:
When I read the documents, I could feel MAGES.’ enthusiasm, but I also wasn’t sure how serious they were. Then I had a look at the graphics they created for the demo, and that’s when I realised that they really were serious about it.
Miyachi:
They actually recreated a scene from Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and brought it along to show us how they were planning to remake it, didn’t they?
Sakamoto:
Yes, the graphics featured animated characters from Famicom Detective Club, and the story was fully voiced. When we were working on the Family Computer version, those things obviously weren’t possible, and this got me thinking, “Hey, this might be it – we could make a new Famicom Detective Club!”.
So you felt confident after seeing something tangible. By the way, Miyachi-san, have you played a lot of adventure games (12)?
Miyachi:
No, never before I joined the company… Personally, I like RPG games where you level up bit by bit, but after I started working here, I thought to myself, “I’d better give it a go first before passing any judgment”, so I played a whole bunch of games across a wide range of genres. Some of these were adventure games, and I was introduced to a world of gaming I’d never experienced before.
As for Famicom Detective Club, I’d heard of it but hadn’t had the chance to play it. When I was assigned as the lead for the MAGES. remakes, my first task was to complete Famicom Detective Club PART II: The Girl Who Stands Behind on Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. (Laughs) Once I’d actually played it, I was blown away. I honestly wondered, “Why haven’t I played this before?!”.
I see. The start of the remakes’ development was your first experience with Famicom Detective Club. And so, the two of you took on a central role in the development of the remakes.
Sakamoto:
At first, I intended to join in a supervisory role. You know, just reviewing what MAGES. created. But MAGES. said to me “Sakamoto-san, let’s work on this together!”. So I was like, “Really? Can I join too?”. (Laughs)
As much as I like to get hands-on, I wasn’t sure how far I could stick my nose into the project or whether I could join in, since it was MAGES.’ idea. Then Miyachi-san said to me, “Just join in!”. (Laughs)
Miyachi:
I’d say he was a bit reserved in the beginning. He’d say things like, “But I’m a supervisor, so I should just review it, right?” or, “Is it okay if I share my opinion?” so I gave him a push and told him, “Just say what’s on your mind!”. (Laughs)
Sakamoto:
So I actually joined in and didn’t hesitate to share my thoughts. By the end, I was so heavily involved that I wondered what had happened to my so-called “supervisor” role. I’m really grateful to MAGES. for accepting my opinions and giving them form.
