Xbox Evolved's Jason Solorzano interviews James Silva, the creator of The Dishwasher Dead Samurai. Since its unveiling and demo that hit the XNA marketplace, fans and media alike have been long waiting this game.
XE: How long have you been working on The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai?
James Silva: Two years, give or take maybe. I've had the concept floating around for Five years and even starting coding twice on versions that were thrown out (probably a good thing)
XE: What were some of the concepts before you decided on the final build?
James Silva: I think I originally envisioned it as a third person shooter with an emphasis on acrobatics and stuff, but, ahem, was a bit over my head. I think Torque had just been released and I was thinking that would make all of my dreams come true. Then I wanted to make it as a side scrolling shooter, kind of like ZP2K9. Then a 3D side scrolling brawler, which is the closest to what it is now but still pretty different. I put quite a bit of work into the 3D side scroller.
XE: Did you scrap that or hope to release it in the future?
James Silva: That's 100% scrapped. Kind of a shame, but at some point I realized I was putting tons of work into it to get very little out of it. That's sort of the thing about 2D vs 3D--you can put a fair amount of work into a 2D game and get great results; the same amount of effort won't get you nearly as far with a 3D game.
XE: What was your motivation throughout the process to keep going on with The Dishwasher?
James Silva: it was just an idea that I really liked. It seemed like every time I was bored, I'd mull over another go at The Dishwasher. Eventually it all clicked
It definitely click
XE: Who is this Dishwasher and is there a story behind him?
James Silva: The Dishwasher is a guy who washes dishes and through crazy circumstances and angst he is transformed into a tireless, ruthless samurai. The story has evolved as well although the one where it now is the *real* one. The Dishwasher has his heart removed by cyborgs as part of cyborg in-processing but is mysteriously saved and somewhat alive so he's out to destroy them
XE: What type of multiplayer features was included in the dishwasher?
James Silva: There's a co-op mode called Arcade, 50 levels of arcade challenges.
XE: No story co op?
James Silva: story co-op is interesting. There's no Live story co-op but there's a half-easter-egg-half-feature mode. You can play as the Dishwasher's shadow or as the phantom guitar. The shadow can drop in by pressing A on a free controller. The phantom guitar can drop in by pressing the green fret on a free guitar.
XE: So it works with a rock band or guitar hero guitar?
James Silva: yep, I hope I don't get sued. *laughs*
XE: Are there other people behind creating this title?
James Silva: Well, I did all the coding, art, music, yelling, etc. One of the songs is a remix of a song my roommate made.: The XBLA team at Microsoft provided a lot of support and basically managed the title's progress to XBLA.
Next Page: James view on the XBLA certification process and restrictions>>
