Today we're visiting with Shawn Smith from the Character Design Studio, Shawnimals. The studio is known for its hit on the DS, Ninjatown.
Tell us about your studio and how it was created.
Shawn: We're a character design studio that makes toys and other such merchandise, and in this instance licensed one of our most popular brands to SouthPeak. Ninjatown DS was born from this agreement. We started designing and making things back in 2002, and have grown slowly but surely ever since.
Your first tasted of success was on a Nintendo platform. Can we expect you to release games on other platforms or will you be exclusive to Nintendo?
The decision to make the game for DS was a no-brainer. We knew we wanted something straight-forward and addicting, so once the genre was picked, we realized how well the visuals of Ninjatown translated to an 8-bit sort of look. The deal wasn't with Nintendo per say, but instead with SouthPeak who is the game's publisher.
What are you guys working on right now, and what can you tell us about it?
Game-wise, nothing to report at this time, but plenty in the world of Shawnimals: All-new Ninjatown micro plush toys are on the way next month, including some characters from the game, as well as a new range of plush toys from our Chronicles of Professor Fliggins brand. The story involves this anthropologist character as he travels around the world of Shawnimals making new Discoveries. He even has his own blog at ProfessorIsland.com!
You have a line of buttons, shirts and plushies. Can we expect a cartoon mini series as well? It seems that this little Ninjatown has many stories to tell.
We're talking about a lot of things at the moment, but nothing is official at this time.
What do you consider the "core" target audience age range for your games?
We have the unique ability to appeal to a wide range of ages. We make stuff that's cute, but it's not sickeningly so, and we don't specifically target kids when we dream up these characters and worlds. Instead, like some of the great things out there in the world like the Simpsons or most of the stuff on Adult Swim, we have a cute exterior with a strange and funny interior.
Will you continue your studio's unique visual style in future games?
Yes, absolutely. We're not interested in licensing something for the sake of licensing it. We always want what we make to be unique in some way. That's the designers in us I suppose.
How does Shawnimals feel about DLC?
DLC is amazing, and we hope to do a lot more in that vein in the future. We love DIY / homebrew culture, and want to be a part of it in some way. Besides, what games DOESN'T like replay ability? If you can download new power-ups, characters, levels, etc for a couple of bucks or maybe even free – that's the best!
We want to thank Shawn Smith at Shawnimals for taking time with us to answer a few questions. With one game down an loads of creativity at this character design studio it seems that this is one company you should keep your eyes on.
