HOSHINO

First, let's talk about "Cursor*10". This one was released in 2008.

ISHII

It was developed in New Year holidays this year.

HOSHINO

When we talked with you last time, you mentioned that there was a similar contents with the same idea. Can you name it?

ISHII

Well, it was the contents that Mr. Yugo Nakamura developed. ugop.com.

HOSHINO

(Search) This one, right?

ISHII

It must be buried in this site. The name must be Finger-doodad. It's old so it must be located very behind. Maybe it's in the archives.

HOSHINO

Might be better you search. Could you?

ISHII

This one."FINGER TRACKS : STUDY-A". I felt "Oh, it's incredible" when I checked this. Definitely this was the source of my idea.

HOSHINO

He is the man who created "ecotonoha, isn't he? What is the idea of this contents (FINGER TRACKS: STUDY-A)?

ISHII

In this contents, a user's mouse operation was recorded and you can see the recorded cursor movement when you replayed.

HOSHINO

Only replayed in this contents? I have said roughly just "only replayed". (laughs)

ISHII

You can also see other people's cursor movements when you replayed. The data of the cursor movements were transferred.

HOSHINO

I see, the essential part of the idea was same, indeed.

ISHII

Yes. Actually, I have developed like this. It was already withdrawn.

HOSHINO

What's this?

ISHII

Mouse operations and clicks were secretly recorded.

HOSHINO

Oh, it's awful. (laughs) Erotic fact really works to increase excitement for replaying.

ISHII

Everyone clicks here and there.

HOSHINO

Was it all right to record secretly in the public released game?

ISHII

It's OK since I inserted the disclaimer in the previous release.

HOSHINO

That's good. (laughs)

I think that "Cursor*10" is more decently developed to be a game, and cooperation with player himself was another difference with FINGER TRACKS. I was pretty shocked by the idea to cooperate with myself in the past. And, at that time, Nico Nico douga was pumped up. So I have been observing with a feeling that it could be the key concept for the future to superimpose time lags.

I bet you must have been struggling with trial-and-error to develop the game from the first idea. How long did it take to develop the game by the way?

ISHII

This one took (whole) 3 days. I felt I should develop a game somewhat in the New Year holidays.

HOSHINO

(laughs) Away from the subject, why did you feel "you should" develop a game somewhat?

ISHII

Because it's New Year holidays. I felt like I should release something to the public.

HOSHINO

You felt that you couldn't miss this timing.

ISHII

Yeah.

HOSHINO

When you started developing, it was not this form, was it?

ISHII

No. When I started developing, the game contained a square graphic overhead view and a cursor. I drew the isometric view graphics and stairs at first. Since I first decided the game to be played by climbing a tower.

HOSHINO

Did you have connection with the idea of "FINGER TRACKS : STUDY-A" at that time?

ISHII

No, there was not yet.

HOSHINO

Then, you didn't bring the idea for your game base, did you? You brought it after you start developing.

ISHII

It was just a game for clicking in the beginning. It was a game to play by clicking stairs very quickly.

HOSHINO

How well you click without mistakes.

ISHII

Yeah, yeah. How far up you get upper floors.

HOSHINO

There is no goal. Just how far up you get in the limited time.

ISHII

So various sort of items are placed on the way. When I placed the box that opens by clicking 100 times, I thought it must be interesting if the game was played by multi-players. Many cursors are appeared in that scene which made me imagine the game could be fun with multi-players.

HOSHINO

At that time, the idea of replaying time-lags were hatched at the same time, weren't you?

ISHII

I am not pretty sure about the replaying time-lags, (laughs) I just thought that it must be fun if many cursors are appeared. I first felt by the picture; the appearance of the game. (just arrived the floor which had the box opened by 100 times clicks.) Yes, this one. I thought it could be a fun appearance if I clicked it by myself and also all other cursors clicked together.

HOSHINO

But why you didn't go on with the multi-players?

ISHII

Actually, it must be very fun if the game was handled on the server. But it's impossible at that time, technically and in terms of time.

HOSHINO

The game won't be completed unless all players are joined, in addition.

ISHII

Yeah.

HOSHINO

But it worked out to lead a very innovative result. So I wonder you chalked it up to the idea was happened to be just the same with the one you have once checked.

And, personally, playing with not multi-players but multi-cursors gives me a fun feeling for problem solving, doesn't it? So I think it must be greatly enjoyed if you make another series of the game. Don't you feel like developing another level again with one punch of idea?

ISHII

Another level for this one?

HOSHINO

Yes. Personally I expect, or have a feeling for seeking another wise exercise of wisdom.

(reading his face) Oh, but it seems no next version. (laughs)

ISHII

Yeah, I wonder.

HOSHINO

You seem to be concluded for this one. Well, then, is it all right that someone develops another version with the similar idea?

ISHII

I think it's all right.

HOSHINO

Then, I hope someone develops one. (laughs) The system is so well developed, so personally I thought even the system might work if somebody developed an editing system. I hope you develop the next one if you feel like it.

ISHII

Well, then in the next New Year holidays. (laughs)

HOSHINO

Won't you make it your life to develop new versions? 2009 edition, summer holiday edition, or the cursor which picks its ancestor up and comes back can be nice. (laughs)

I really hope you develop the next version, expecting surprise by overcoming possibility of this system, which must be simply brought by you, Mr. Ishii.

And you mentioned that you have shifted the strategy in the middle of development. I think it's simply great to do so. How do you draw a line between, open to the public qualities and those of under constructions after shifting your mind?

ISHII

Well, the line is...
I just release it if I felt it interesting. (laughs) I don't take much care about balancing game contents. In fact, I didn't move the triangle items after placing them first time in "Cursor*10". Placement is done for the first attempt, and there is no more change after that.

HOSHINO

Are you placing when you have a feeling?

ISHII

Yes,
I don't take much time.
It's decided by pretty wild decision whether or not the placement was good.

HOSHINO

Do you feel a sense of accomplishment?

ISHII

Feeling the game interesting by myself, and getting bored with developing (laughs) are the kind of the sign. I get tired of it quickly. Though there is one moment that gives me a better feel for the game. I feel a sense of accomplishment by just a small change of details.

HOSHINO

Is it since early times?

ISHII

Well, it's not much in the early times. I wonder from when. (browsing his games on the webpage) It's pretty recent. (laughs) Not so recent, around in 2002. I am making irresponsible comments. (laughs)

HOSHINO

(laughs) Which are specific contents around 2002?

ISHII

Specifically, around "Furafura neko". Also "Neko baloon".

HOSHINO

Do you feel it stronger recently? Sorry for pestering same question.

ISHII

I feel it "coming" in these days. (laughs) I am not sure whether it's interesting or not.

HOSHINO

Did you feel it also in "Panchira"?

ISHII

Yeah, "Panchira" also.

HOSHINO

Then, let's talk about "Panchira" in that vein.

(Interviewer: 0stage, HOSHINO Ken'ichi)

links
- "Cursor*10"
- "Furafura neko
- "Neko baloon"
- "report"
- ugop.com
- "FINGER TRACKS : STUDY-A"
- "ecotonoha"