Just like following the Dead only 10X cooler, ToyCyte’s Jeremy and Saki caught up with the Shawnimals gang in San Francisco and New York. Shawn Smith, Jennifer Brody and game developers, Venan, hit up Double Punch, Rotofugi and My Plastic Heart to pre-acquaint fans of Shawn’s plush toys with the upcoming Ninjatown game for the Nintendo DS. Even though Ninjatown doesn’t officially drop until October 28th, it’s already getting awards including Best Artistic Design and Most Anticipated Game. Shawn had the game on hand along the sneak peek tour. Check it out below.
Imagine hanging out with your friends and family and being attacked by Wee Devils. What, that doesn’t happen in your neighborhood? Well, it does in Ninjatown and in order to keep your Ninjas and village safe, your going to be completely addicted to this game. Saki brought her own DS to MPH (in case there weren’t enough for the masses) and prepared to duke it out with Wee Devils and Zombies. After a very helpful intro by one of the developers, she was instantly engrossed in the game—already challenging herself to get an A on the numerous levels in the game. Conscientiously, she talked herself out of stealing the game, and instead, took a tour around the gallery of concept art and storyboards that adorned the walls.
At both Double Punch and MPH, there was concept art aplenty. Back in May, Shawn talked to Sunny about the game’s genesis, saying:
A long time ago I worked as a game reviewer/editor for Electronic Gaming Monthly, and, of course, before that played games constantly. After starting Shawnimals the idea of making a game based around our world inhabited by our characters, was always in the back of my mind. Since I had some friends in the industry, we would talk now and again generally about the idea of a Shawnimals game, but it wasn’t until late 2006 that we started talking seriously. Fast forward to Summer 2007, and the project was green lit and the contract was signed. The whole experience has been amazing and surreal.
Jeremy chatted with Shawn about making the transition to gaming. Shawn said that having existing characters and storyline was helpful in developing the game. But through the game, he learned more about his own world. He gave the example of how it wasn’t until the game that he saw the backside of the ninja hut. “In the game, you’re in the world,” he said. Shawn commented that working on the game was a great experience where he wad two calls a week with production/development and the game’s publishers. He retained the kind of creative control rare in these sorts of collaborations. It was important for the game to capture the Shawnimals “pixel rhetoric,” and Shawn feels it “worked out beautifully.”
Shawn has always had a very clean style and many fans would agree that he has some of the cutest ninjas in the world. It’s always cool to see process: the original thoughts and drawings that created the game and the characters and sets that didn’t quite make the cut. In addition to the concept art, there were original sketches on sale and various other works in different mediums, including a Super Ninja carved in wood and Pocket Ol’ Master Ninja plushes created exclusively for the event.
Didn’t make it to any of the events? You’re not going to be left out. If you decide to pre-order the game at GameStop/EB you’ll get a micro ninja while supplies last and if you pre-order on Amazon, you can get a vinyl sticker for your DS Lite. GameStop is also currently running a sweepstakes to win a one-of-a-kind DS customized by Shawn.
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