Interview: TT Games' Jonathan Smith On LEGO Batman

With the recent official announcement of LEGO Batman, we sat down with Jonathan Smith, development director of TT Games, and got a few answers to some of the looming questions concerning the new game and the direction of the LEGO video game franchise.

Details concerning some of the specifics of the upcoming game were not available at the time we talked, such as for which platforms the game was slated to be released on and, for example, how they planned to use the Wii-Mote on the Wii version of the game, assuming it is released for that platform.

We began the interview by questioning Smith on the concept's origins, to which he responded, "We created Giant Interactive Entertainment to specialise in games for young players, and were privileged enough to be trusted with a licence from LEGO Company to take their properties into the world of video games. Having also secured an agreement from Lucasfilm enabling us to make use of their Star Wars characters, we commissioned Traveller's Tales to develop the first LEGO Star Wars. Around the release of that game, we merged the two companies into a single new business, TT Games."

However, it would seem that even then the company had no idea what they were in for in terms of player enthusiasm. "We never, ever predicted the success we've had," he noted. "We loved what we were doing, and we were thrilled with the game, but we had no idea how much it would be appreciated by such a large audience."

So what is it about LEGOs that seem to draw in players of all ages? Smith had his own ideas on this topic, stating that "everything LEGO has a beautiful, simple, design language which is colourful and immediately charming. In gameplay terms, the sense that LEGO can become anything - surprisingly, and humorously, is a joy to play with."

Looking to the next game on which TT Games is working, we were curious as to why, out of all the available IP out there, how Batman was selected. "Whenever we wondered to ourselves how best to take the LEGO gaming idea forward in to a new universe," he began, "we always placed Batman top of our wish-lists; we're all huge fans of the comics and animated series in particular. From a game point of view, Batman has terrific abilities - he's a magnificent fighter, with cool gadgets and vehicles at his disposal - and he's surrounded by a huge array of fun, colourful characters."

Given that Smith told us that his company has "long-term rights to work with LEGO Company on new games," we questioned him on how TT Games plans to keep the gameplay fresh, especially since each new game will essentially offer the same LEGOs that are simply re-skinned to match new character models. "Just as you saw major new features brought in to LEGO Star Wars II that weren't present in the first LEGO Star Wars game," he stated, "the Character Customiser, for example, or the ability to get in and out of vehicles at will, along with new character moves such as "Build"...you'll see that we'll continue to push the LEGO gaming idea forward with each new title."

He added: "New characters will have their own distinctive gameplay characteristics, and we've got a long long list of features planned for the future."

Looking to possible platforms for the upcoming Batman title, Smith was coy, and commented simply "We'll make a full announcement on platforms at a later date - but our plans certainly encompass next-gen consoles."

Finally, while Smith would not divulge any future plans for other marrying LEGO with other IP, he commented simply that "anything is possible."

Before we let him get back to his work however, we asked what it would take to make a cameo appearance in the game, every video game journalist's secret desire. "You'd need to be made of plastic," he jokingly responded, "with a cylindrical head and C-shaped hands. Oh, and be one and half inches tall...I'm guessing, you're not…"

While I'm definitely not fit for a cameo appearance in the game despite my deepest darkest desires I can definitely say that the characters that do make it in the game are in great hands over at TT Games. We look forward to new details being revealed in the upcoming months. Many thanks to Jonathan for taking the time to speak with us.

Mar 29, 2007 - 11:11 am | 0 comments
Chris Rasco