Interview: Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law's Micah Skartika
The Shack called High Voltage lead designer Micah Skartika to the stand to defend Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PSP, PS3, Wii).
Shacknews previewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game at E3, but the title was recently announced as coming to the Wii for more appropriate point-and-click action. Other than the control difference and $10 premium for Wii gamers, all three versions of the game will be identical. To learn more about what we can expect from the comical court title, I cross-examined Harvey Birman, Attorney at Law lead designer Micah Skartika.
Shack: How did you approach development of the title with regard to Capcom's Phoenix Wright series of games?
Micah Skartika: Initially, the game was completely designed around the Phoenix Wright structure. After working with Michael and Erik on the scripts, the comedy and sheer wackiness began to supersede the strict nature of the court game. Instead, what we were left with was an incredibly accurate episode of the show that was completely interactive.
Shack: We didn't see any of the crime scene investigation mechanic in the first case. Can you describe how this gameplay element will work?
Micah Skartika: This works a lot like Phoenix Wright, in that it approaches it with an adventure-based gameplay feel. The player can rummage through the law offices of Sebben & Sebben, the Birdcage, as well as many other show locations. As Harvey Birdman, the player is collecting clues, talking to witnesses, and overall trying to gather enough ammunition to beat his opponent in court.
Shack: Other than investigating, will there be any new gameplay elements utilized in later cases, or minigames of any type, or will basically the same mechanics be used all the way through?
Micah Skartika: There are no minigames or other nonsense to muck up the brilliant writing and interactive feel of the game.
Shack: What level of collaboration did the development team have with the show's writers in designing the game based on the writer's stories?
Micah Skartika: Before the project ever began, we met with the writers to get a feel of what they were thinking for the game, and to share some ideas with them. We wrote the gameplay script and sent it to them to flesh out the funny elements. It was a back and forth process that perfectly coupled the gameplay with the show's writing style.
Shack: How long can we expect each episode to last, and what's the estimated length of the whole game?
Micah Skartika: Well, let's put it this way, an average show is about 20 pages of script, and we are looking at about 140 pages for the whole game. I remember the first time we submitted our scripts to the writers, and they were like, "Hey look, it's the Harvey Birdman interactive movie!" Combine the cinemas to all the investigative gameplay, court gameplay, and the desire to watch all the "wrong" answers, and this game should satisfy fans of Harvey.
Shack: This isn't High Voltage's first game based on a cartoon series. What have you learned about what works and what doesn't when working with franchises like this?
Micah Skartika: It seems like we do a lot of animated licenses. Typically a video game these days requires 3D models, or at the very least action-based gameplay. In the case of Harvey Birdman, both of these styles would have ruined the feel for the show. I think the marriage of Harvey Birdman and Phoenix Wright style gameplay was the only way to make a fun game while keeping the liveliness of the show.
Shack: Will you be able to unlock any type of Harvey Birdman-related bonus content in the game?
Micah Skartika: Well, that WOULD seem appropriate, now wouldn't it?
Shack: The game also seems like it would be a pretty good fit for Nintendo DS or a downloadable title on Xbox Live Arcade. Is it possible we'll see Harvey Birdman available on other platforms like these?
Micah Skartika: Other than the release to the PSP, PS2, and the Wii, no announcements have been made at this time.
Shack: Do you think people who enjoyed the Phoenix Wright games will get enough depth with Birdman, or is it mainly targeting the Harvey Birdman fanbase?
Micah Skartika: This game should appeal to both fanbases, as it follows the mentality of Phoenix Wright, but with the timing and style of Harvey Birdman. To better describe the game, it is fair to say that it feels more like an immersive interactive episode of the show as it has voice-over and animations, rather than the more text-based nature of Phoenix Wright.
Shack: We saw Street Fighter hardass/patriot Guile in the first episode. Can you tell us any other Capcom characters that will be making cameos. Will Phoenix Wright or someone from that series make an appearance?
Micah Skartika: Play the game and find out. Half the fun is trying to find these hidden cameos.
Shack: That seems like it might be a disproportionate amount of fun, but thanks for the interview.
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law retails for PS2, PSP, and Wii on November 13.
