14 DAY TRIAL // This is an interview with Martin Kenwright, the leading developer working on the new crafting adventure title Playworld Superheroes at development studio Starship.
The title is designed to offer a new take on the genre, with a set of gameplay mechanics that will emphasize creativity and will allow kids to experience a set of stories where their creations become reality and allow them to perform incredible feats.
Softpedia: What was the main inspiration for the development of Playworld Superheroes?
Martin Kenwright: My son Harry, who was three at the time, was the main inspiration. Finding games for him identified a distinct lack of quality software for younger children, and also software which parents and children can engage with together. I was always keen to do a superhero product, and the problem for me was how to create a character that a child could believe in, while also competing against other existing superhero brands. In my opinion, the only superheroes better than those in popular culture are the ones which children create themselves.
Another source of inspiration was looking at stealth education for kids. I wanted to make crafting cool, and to evolve the idea of taking primitive creations and making them into a state-of-the-art game, and to house them in a safe environment, free from in-app-purchases.
Softpedia: Is the environmental theme linked to real world events or will everything be set in a fantasy realm?
Martin Kenwright: Children are increasingly being educated on ecological issues and protecting our world with recycling, conservation and preservation in schools, so we felt strongly that we should feature this content within the game.
The theme is "where adults see only cardboard boxes, children see their superheroes come to life." It's bit like the Wizard of Oz, where children are taken from an everyday world to a land of make-believe. The ultimate premise for Playworld is that whatever the child creates, there will be a realm for it. This is just the start and we want to create multiple themes.
Softpedia: Do you want gamers to focus on the crafting or on the action elements of the title?
Martin Kenwright: This has two answers, and it’s dependent on the age of the player. In testing, younger children seem to want to craft more, while older kids favour the action side. It sees the player going from gentle and sedate tree house crafting, to intense moment-to-moment action in the arcade section. This creates a juxtaposition and a unique gaming experience.
Softpedia: Will the story expand beyond the original Golumites?
Martin Kenwright: Playworld Superheroes is only the start of the story, it will expand with updates, and new products will appear. We are not going to elaborate at this point, but expect to hear more after the launch of Playworld Superheroes!
Softpedia: Is Playworld Superheroes mostly aimed at a younger audience or will it also appeal to older gamers as well?
Martin Kenwright: Playworld Superheroes is aimed at a younger audience, but we made a point throughout development not to patronise our players. Just as Roald Dahl didn’t talk down to his readers, we’ve designed the game for very young adults, and not for children. That being said, the age range is very broad. Very young children can play it but only older children can master it. The crafting element is suitable for kids aged 4 – 80 years! We are trying to give the best quality game for a pocket money price point.
Softpedia: What are the main ways the developers plan to protect their audience from negative interactions and to determine players to work with each other?
Martin Kenwright: With no in-app purchases, a high-quality, low-cost title was always the plan. We wanted to create a game that provided a safe environment for kids that adults could leave their child with to play. We are trying to create a brand based around quality, cost and safety, which is what parents want. In Playworld Superheroes, the child will come across no hidden dangers, we’ve left it to the gameplay to provide an edginess that very young adults appreciate...
Softpedia: Without in-app purchases, how does the company plan to make money from Playworld Superheroes?
Martin Kenwright: Playworld does not have in-app purchases. This was a deliberate design decision and it is a clear gamble for Starship. Playworld Superheroes was designed to be one of the best games for its price in the younger children's sector, and anything better would probably cost 10x as much to make and would have had to contain in-app purchases.
We hope that by using some of the best tech and having incredibly high production standards on an app made exclusively for tablet and mobile, coupled with strong reviews, an impulse price point and the studio’s reputation, the game will succeed. Watch this space!
From a personal point of view, when I have bought apps for my son and he keeps pressing in-app purchase buttons, potentially running up huge costs, it has put me off leaving him alone with the iPad. Does every parent think like me? There surely has to be a need for a simple, safe price point for premium children's games.
Softpedia: Are there any plans to expand the game based on player feedback?
Martin Kenwright: Playworld is an open-ended proposition that will absolutely listen to any feedback from players and actively encourage a loyal following and community. The first title, I must reiterate, is only the start of the story and with more content on the way, the tech and entertainment will only get bigger and better. Playworld Superheroes is only the first slice of the story!
