New Approach, New Experience: Creating the Emio – The Smiling Man Game

Developing a successful adventure game involves more than just an engaging story. The developers behind the Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club™ game for the Nintendo Switch™ system share their insights on the essential elements they focused on during development.

Creating the “logic” of the game, the gameplay mechanism that brings the story to life, was the first step. To achieve this, the developers used spreadsheet software to organize various elements such as scene backgrounds, music, and conditional scene transitions. Careful attention to detail was necessary to ensure that the logic functioned seamlessly.

In previous games in the series, the logic was created solely by one developer. However, this time, collaboration was key. The lead developer enlisted the help of another team member to review and make corrections to the logic. This collaborative effort resulted in a more refined and enjoyable experience.

The developers aimed to strike the right balance between challenge and enjoyment. Feedback from the team revealed that the puzzles were often too difficult, leading to frustration. Adjustments were made to ensure a sense of accomplishment when solving puzzles, while still providing a fair level of difficulty.

Voice acting added a new layer to the game, presenting challenges in planning and execution. Unlike previous entries in the series, changes or additions to the dialogue were not possible late in development. The team had to carefully plan every aspect in advance to ensure the storytelling and voice acting seamlessly integrated.

From a gameplay perspective, innovative features were introduced. To avoid players feeling stuck and resorting to trial and error, hints were strategically highlighted within the game. Conversations were also carefully phrased to help players follow the story even without explicit emphasis. For those seeking a more traditional experience, the option to disable hints is available.

Cell phones play an intriguing role in the game, reflecting the time period of the original games. By incorporating flip phones instead of modern smartphones, the developers aimed to capture the nostalgia of that era. Phone calls can be made during various scenes, often revealing unexpected sides of characters.

The development of the Emio – The Smiling Man game brought fresh approaches and new challenges for the team. By refining the logic, striking the right balance, and introducing innovative gameplay elements, the developers have created an engaging and immersive experience for players to enjoy.

Additional facts:

1. The Emio – The Smiling Man game is part of the Famicom Detective Club™ series, which originated in Japan and was originally released for the Famicom Disk System in the late 1980s.
2. The game was developed by Mages Inc. and published by Nintendo.
3. The Emio – The Smiling Man game is a remastered version of the original Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind games.
4. The game features updated graphics, voice acting, and gameplay enhancements.
5. It is a visual novel-style game where players assume the role of a detective and investigate mysteries.
6. The game has a deep and immersive story that involves crime-solving and character interactions.
7. The developers focused on creating an atmospheric and suspenseful experience, emphasizing the psychological aspects of the narrative.
8. The game is known for its well-developed characters and intricate plot twists.

Most important questions and answers:

1. What makes the Emio – The Smiling Man game different from other adventure games?
The Emio – The Smiling Man game stands out due to its deep narrative, immersive atmosphere, and psychological elements. It offers a unique blend of mystery, crime-solving, and character interactions.

2. How did the developers address the challenge of difficult puzzles in the game?
The developers received feedback that the puzzles were often too difficult, causing frustration. They made adjustments to strike a balance between challenge and enjoyment, ensuring a sense of accomplishment when solving puzzles while maintaining a fair level of difficulty.

3. What is the significance of the flip phones in the game?
The game takes place in the time period of the original Famicom Detective Club games, and the developers incorporated flip phones to capture the nostalgia of that era. Phone calls made during various scenes reveal unexpected sides of characters and add depth to the storytelling.

Key challenges or controversies:

1. Collaborative development: The decision to involve multiple team members in the creation of the game’s logic was a departure from previous entries in the series. The challenge was to ensure a cohesive and seamless experience despite the collaborative effort.

2. Voice acting planning: Unlike previous games, changes or additions to the dialogue were not possible late in the development process. The team had to meticulously plan every aspect in advance to integrate storytelling and voice acting effectively.

Advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:
– Deep and immersive storytelling
– Well-developed characters and plot twists
– Engaging gameplay elements
– Atmospheric and suspenseful experience
– Nostalgic appeal with the use of flip phones

Disadvantages:
– Puzzles might still pose a challenge for some players
– Limited dialoguing options in late development stages

Suggested related link: Nintendo official website for Famicom Detective Club™: The Missing Heir game