Vanillaware CEO George Kamitani recently stated that Unicorn Overlord ran out of funds during development. Read on to learn more about this, the game’s inspirations, if it’s coming to PC, and the card game included in the Collector’s Edition.
Unicorn Overlord Ran Out of Funds During Development
Kamitami Paid Out of Pocket When Budget Was Maxed Out
In a recent post made by Vanillware's Twitter (X) account, counting down to the release of Unicorn Overlord, Vanillaware's CEO, George Kamitani, revealed that the game had exhausted its development funds and that he took on the responsibility of covering the remaining expenses out of his own pocket to ensure the game's completion.
He jokingly acknowledged that encountering budget constraints was nothing new for Vanillaware, as a similar situation in the past happened where he had to use his own money to ensure that 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was completed.
Wrapping up his message, Kamitani reassured fans that the decade-long endeavor poured into Unicorn Overlord wasn't just a façade; rather, it would manifest in the game's final iteration, a testament to their dedication and perseverance.
Behind the Scenes Development of Unicorn Overlord
The Story and Characters Were Made in the Later Stages of Development
During a recent interview with Destructoid, the staff of Unicorn Overlord shed light on the development process behind Unicorn Overlord. When asked about how the team decided on the game's scenario and setting, Game Director Takafumi Noma revealed that their primary goal was to create a "tactical RPG." However, "It wasn’t until the later stages of development that we created the story and detailed characters," according to Noma.
During discussions about the combat system and the world of Unicorn Overlord, game designer Nakanishi emphasized their focus on troop building and the significance of strategic preparation for battle. Nakanishi humorously mentioned that directly commanding all units simultaneously would likely be "overwhelming."
Regarding the game's maps, Producer Yamamoto revealed that they drew inspiration from 90s tactical RPGs they played growing up; and that they "wanted to create a new game system based on their experience with said games."
When asked if the game would ever be ported to PC, Yamamoto expressed interest in bringing Unicorn Overlord to PC. However, due to their agreement with Vanillaware; the game is being released exclusively on consoles. Yamamoto clarified that there are currently no plans in place for a PC port.
The topic shifted to Vanillaware's distinct art style and the delectable food featured in their games. The interviewer inquired about how they selected the types of food and whether they created the recipes themselves. Noma explained that initially, they aimed for realism with dishes like potatoes and porridge.
However, they later opted to make the food visually appealing to "boost morale." To achieve this, they enlisted the help of game designer and animator Shigatake-san, who had previously handled cooking animations for their games. Shigatake-san was tasked with selecting dishes that would whet the team's appetite and emphasize visual appeal. Regrettably, Noma admitted he had not personally attempted to cook the in-game recipes.
In the concluding segment of the interview, the discussion turned to the inclusion of a card game in the collector's edition of Unicorn Overlord. Yamamoto shared how the concept originated, explaining that ATLUS, their publishing partner, approached Vanillaware with the idea of offering a deluxe edition that allowed players to further immerse themselves in the game's world "outside the main-game."
The idea of incorporating cards arose when they sought to include a paper-based accessory in the edition. To bring this concept to life, they collaborated with a reputable Japanese company experienced in producing card games and other physical gaming products.
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Unicorn Overlord devs talk history, card games, and that delicious food
