I recently had the pleasure of interviewing game creator John Cadice of Soda Pop Miniatures. This is the company releasing the new game Super Dungeon Explore (SDE) and the up and coming game Relic Knights. He was nice enough to give me a super carbonated sip of the upcoming Soda Pop releases. Hand Cannon also got it’s hands on some super secret Super Dungeon Explore preview cards too! I think all you readers out there are in for quite a treat with this one.
On to the Questions!
The first questions I have to ask is: When you, Deke, and Chris [the creators of Soda Pop Miniatures] sit down to play a game of Super Dungeon Explore, which Heroes are picked and who ends up being the big bad Consul?
In play testing, we have covered as much iteration as possible to ensure a well-tested product. When we last got together, we often alternate Heroes/Consul in a two player game to simulate competitive play. I rather like the Consul – I enjoy the press of my wicked mobs throwing themselves onto the swords of the Heroes to tie them up long enough to get the Dragon out and eat them one at a time. It’s a great strategic game for both sides, and very different and rewarding experiences. Chris seems to excel at devising strategies with his heroes, the current favorites are the Paladin for his mighty healing abilities, the Barbarian for her frenzied axe swinging to clear out mobs quickly, and alternating the Elf Ranger for her ranged attacks, and the Rogue for her teleporting, treasure swiping, back-stabbery (tricky little minx that she is). Deke has played both ends with our playtest teams quite a lot, and watching him erupt in laughter when Rex knocks a hero across a room or “Cuddles” a hapless fighter is worth gold.
Having followed you guys for a relatively long period of time, I have a pretty good understanding of the feel, ambiance and inspiration for Super Dungeon Explore but could you reveal those things to our readers?
Super Dungeon Explore from the beginning was inspired by years of Saturday mornings playing video games, the onrush of manga and game culture into every part of our lives, and finding a way to digest that and present it to our fellow miniatures gamers in a highly accessible and fun way that doesn’t exclude anyone. Lots of bloody skull encrusted death to be found in the dungeon diving genre… so, changing it up a bit and going back to a more nostalgic experience, a bit of tongue in cheek humor, button mashing feel was our goal.
How did you decide to call yourselves Soda Pop Miniatures?
Back to the “Skull encrusted bloody” conversation, we have been knee deep in blood and guts with our hobby for years. I brought together a like-minded team to build Soda Pop to help bridge that gap in gaming cultures, and where other bring the blood and guts, we bring the sugar coated, highly carbonated, wonderful liquid refreshment that will satisfy your thirst and rot your teeth all in one go!
Who do you have on staff for the sculpting and painting?
We work to recruit the best scultpors for our Relic Knights range, we have drawn upon the talents of famous sculptors like JAG, MIKH, Thomas David, Aragorn Marks, Bobby Jackson, Jason Wiebe and others. Our excellent Super Dungeon range was sculpted in 3D by our blossoming 3D sculptor Leonard Dill.
What has been the company’s biggest challenge with regards to getting SDE off the ground?
HA – Challenges are not singular, they are many fold!
Making games is fun, making them a reality is hard hard work! There is lots of experimentation with different manufacturing options, finding partners to help us bring our vision to life, promoting our products in a meaningful and coherent way was so key from the beginning. We needed to establish a look and feel to the models to provide an authentic “Chibi” video game feel to the range, while still being mindful that people would want to actually collect and paint these as RPG and hobby games miniatures as well.
How do you plan on releasing the basic game accessories and models and any expansions it may have?
Indeed sir – this is an expandable game – players will be introduced to “new” levels of our game. Featuring new Bosses, heroes, critters, and minions to expand play and expand the strategic possibilities!
What do you think separates SDE from other games on the market?
Aside from being the world’s first 16 bit tabletop game, SDE is intended to bridge the video game/manga/anime culture into the collectible, strategy games world in a meaningful and fun way! We enjoyed conversations with Dads and Mom’s at the big game shows excited to use SDE to bring their own kids into the hobby, guys brought by their girlfriends to play, and grown men were squealing in high pitched voices as they filled nasty Kobolds full of arrows or cleared out rooms with the Mage’s mighty Firewave attack.
I have noticed while demoing this game that women seem to be eager to play and enjoy this game. In your designing of SDE did you consider it’s appeal to the female gamer? If so how did it affect development?
This was a specific point that boils back into the comments above, and the comments about skulls and bloody horror. There is enough of that. Our Chibi styled design is meant to be broad reaching, colorful, and fun. This appeals to both male and female gamers. Being inclusive is a great way to have a strong product, and the advent of the female core gamer as a key part of the online and electronic games arena. That, and having a cute gal who is mercilessly gobbling up your heroes with her Dragon at the table with you is an experience that every gamer guy I know wants at his Saturday night event.
What do you think players will enjoy most about SDE?
Aside from all the great bits and models to collect, the game provides a lot of action, drama, and replay ability. No two games will go the same way, and there are lots of different Hero combos, (and future dungeon monster combos) that will keep people coming back to give it another go.
Do you anticipate any organized tournament play for SDE?
You bet, we will be making available an OP kit for 2012, this release will be available to retailers to run mini tournaments and leagues in their own stores, and we are looking at running some higher profile competitive tournaments at some of the big national shows!
Do you think there will be any limited or promotion releases for SDE?
We hope to have early copies available to flash around to folks before we launch, and we have a few surprises that I can’t go into… lest I say something that gives away something that paints in too much detail.
Now we can’t forget about your original line of miniatures: Relic Knights. Where do you stand with regards to the production of this game?
Our game is designed and will be in layout for a super strong 2012 release. We hope to have out a quick-start version of the rules soon with some repackaged models to allow people to start playing a really new and unique style of miniatures game – capturing the anime feel was really important, and it will be fun to show people what we have been working on!
When does Soda Pop plan on releasing SDE? Relic Knights?
Super Dungeon Explore – we are scrambling to meet an August release window. Manufacturing is not as exact a science as I originally thought.
Relic Knights – our quickstart, we are aiming for Gencon this year for demos. With the full game ready for 2012.
Can you pop the top on any top-secret preview pictures for us?
Finally and most importantly, what is the development teams’ favorite gaming snack?
Hmmz – tough one, food is never far from our hands for good gaming. Cold drinks with bubbles are a must. Deke can make magic in the kitchen, and I believe our last dungeon dive was enriched with delicious pasta!
Well John, thank you very much for your time. Judging by the internet buzz I have seen for Super Dungeon Explore and the general quality of the product you guys produce I see only success in your future. For all you readers out there in internet land you can download Super Dungeon Explore demo rules here. I also must say if any of you get the chance to get a demo in with these guys, do it! It’s tons of fun and you will get to play with some awesome toys.
Until Next time, Keep chuggin’ those sodas!
-Antizombie
2 Comments(+Add)
I’m really looking forward to picking this game up as I think it’ll appeal to my daughter and my wife. I love it for the fun miniatures.
Go SPM! I’ve been following these guys for about a year now, and have all the current range to date. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for these guys.