Here at Digital Lard, we're suckers for retro gaming. That's why, when the chance came to interview Jamie Woodhouse about the Gameboy Advance remake of his classic Amiga platformer Qwak, we went qwakers about it. That was awful, sorry.
Team 17's Qwak was a BBC Micro platform/puzzle game about a crazy green duck on the look out for keys and fruit. He luv dem keys 'n' fruits. As addictive and entertaining as a clown baked in toffee, it was updated for the Amiga in 1993, and returns once again in the 21st Century for the Gameboy Advance. Jamie Woodhouse, the man behind the original and the new GBA version, is offering a limited, exclusive run of 300 copies that are available to buy from his website.
Digital Lard likes to talk to people, so we talked to Jamie. Check dis out.
Digital Lard: Describe Qwak in no less than 30 words without any of them being 'duck', 'platform' or 'fruit'.
Jamie Woodhouse: Constant out of the frying pan and in to the fire frantic action... Keeps you on your toes, demands the most elite ninja skills to play ... This game is not for people who like to play card games or 'mine-sweeper' style games ... A platform game, featuring two fruit collecting ducks, made by a guy who can't follow rules. *shock* :p
DL: What inspired you to remake Qwak for the Gameboy Advance?
JW: Seemed like a fun thing to do at the time!
DL: What's the reaction been to the Qwak remake so far? Any highlights from press or favourite fan moments?
JW: Really good. It's always a pleasure to get positive comments from people too. From the press, I think Retro Gamer or Games TM, reviewed it and gave it like 89%. What really counts though, is people seem to like it.
DL: Pop Quiz time. Qwak was originally released in the 'Play It Again Sam 10' compilation. What other games were in the compilation?
JW: Who cares?! No, seriously, they were: Zalaga, Repton Thru Time, and 3D Dotty.
DL: What memories do you have of the original development of Qwak?
JW: The BBC version? I remember having to put in on pause half way through development to work on a commissioned game, that took like 3 weeks to develop. Maybe the best memories are when you know you've competed a game, and going in to WH Smiths and checking out all the computer magazines for reviews of your game! and then finding a good one!
DL: What's your proudest achievement as a software developer?
JW: Probably completing QWAK on the Amiga. Though I can look back now, and feel as if I have a ton of things in my heart, cool ideas for things to do with games. Yeah, there's just a ton more I want to do, it's in there, and it want's to come out! I guess it's the same with most people, we all have different propensities for things in life, and, well, you have to let it out. Hmmm, so, proudest achievement, finishing QWAK on Amiga.
DL: What are your favourite games of all-time?
JW: In the arcade; Star Force, Gauntlet, Mad Planets, Star Wars (all pretty old classic arcade games). On the Amiga and PC; Colonization (by Sid Meier), a dangerously addictive strategy game.
DL: What games are you currently playing, if any?
JW: Very few. If any. I used to really love big arcade games, that required lots of skill and fast reflexes, you know, the kind that get your heart pumping, and adrenalin flooding round your body. I don't know if it's me, getting old (pension soon - joke), or if games really have lost something special these days.
DL: In 1993, Qwak was released on the Amiga CD32 in a double-pack with Alien Breed. Did you like Alien Breed?
JW: Yeah, it was OK. I even played it a little, and I'm sure I even met the developer at a Team17 party.
DL: What future plans do you have? Any more remakes or new games in store?
JW: Well, I'm still working on QWAK PC, and I'm such a perfectionist, it just goes on and on, and I keep thinking of cool things to put in there, and then, just refining and changing stuff that's already there. It's a good learning process for me. After QWAK, I really don't know, just follow my heart, and I may even explore the idea of working with other people, or a company, bigger developer. So long as I get to express and make the most of my creativity, that's what it's all about for me.
*** Interview Terminated ***
Anyone who wants to know what makes a classic should check out the new version of Qwak. The cartridge is 100% compatible with the Gameboy Advance and the Nintendo DS, and only available from Qwak.co.uk.
It's a smashing trip down memory lane, to a time when platformers were smart and colourful. As good as James Pond II is, there's only so many times it can be re-re-re-released before you start to long for everything else that used to be on the scene. A splendid looking PC version is currently in the works, and you can even download a demo from the website, so check it out for free. Come on, you owe me a favour.
Interview conducted by Ray Whitney