Have you ever dreamed of virtually duking it out with Neen Williams or delivering a digital beatdown to Joey Brezinski? Well, the skateboarding world has just upped its game with Skatepark Smackdown, a new mobile melee game that lets you do just that.
Created by Jason Guadalajara, also known for FP Insoles, Skatepark Smackdown blends the feel of classic games like THPS and Street Fighter with the chaotic energy of real-life skatepark encounters, think Venice Beach on a busy Saturday. Instead of choosing Ryu or Chun-Li, you can battle it out as skateboarding icons like Weckingball, Neen Williams, Joey Brezinski, and Jaws.
Currently in its early stages, Skatepark Smackdown is set to be released on app stores soon. While we haven’t had a chance to try it yet, the concept alone has us intrigued. To get the inside scoop, we spoke with Jason about developing the game from the ground up.
Q&A With Creator Jason Guadalajara
Jason Guadalajara, creator of Skatepark Smackdown
Have you ever been in a fight at a skatepark?
Not at a skatepark, but I did punch a kid for cutting in line at the handball court back in elementary school. Looking back, that was probably a bit much.
In a real fight, who do you think would win between Weckingball, Neen Williams, Jaws, and Joey Brezinski?
[Laughs] That’s putting me on the spot! They’re all tough guys. Neen and Weck are definitely built, but Joey is a wild card and I wouldn’t wish him on anyone.Were you a fan of MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch? Was that an inspiration for Skatepark Smackdown?
I vaguely remember that show, but it wasn’t an inspiration. I like to start a new project every year. Between manufacturing FP insoles and Crupie Wheels, I wanted something new and fun to do. Video games have always been a passion of mine, so I thought, “Why not start making games?” And here we are.
Skatepark Smackdown Gameplay Animation
Are there any other skaters you really want to include in the game?
I haven’t really thought too hard about specific skaters. Besides the original group, I haven’t asked anyone else. I’m sure a lot of people will want to join. Dane Burman is going to be the first DLC character. And I’m definitely including a scooter kid. Beating up a pro skater with a scooter kid will be hilarious [laughs].
Do the characters have special finishing moves?
Yes, they all have finishers. My favorite so far is Weckingball’s troll attack, where he pulls out his phone and tanks your Instagram follower count. Joey Brezinski has an atomic wedgie, which is pretty funny too.
Are the characters getting paid or receiving royalties?
Of course. Everyone involved is getting paid.
Skatepark Smackdown Gameplay Animation 2
Which fighting game is better: Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter?
I grew up on both Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat, so it has to be one of them. Street Fighter was always a little more fun, but Mortal Kombat’s fatalities are awesome. When I’m in Tokyo, I enjoy playing Final Fantasy Dissidia, even though I can’t read anything on the screen.
Who is the hottest video game character of all time?
I have a crush on Ada Wong from Resident Evil 2 remake. Tifa from Final Fantasy VII (sorry, Aeris), Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII, and Yukiko in Persona 4. I actually dated all the girls in the Persona games at once!
THPS or SKATE?
Come on! EA Skate dominates THPS, no question.
Skatepark Smackdown Gameplay Animation 3
Can you walk us through the process of developing the game?
I downloaded Unity and started playing around with it, following tutorials to get the basics. Then, I hired the 3D artist I already work with on my brands to create the game’s models. A Unity developer handled the coding. My role is coordinating between the animator and the developer. Everything needs to be animated first, before we can program it into the game.
And I’m using music from Killah Priest, who is a good friend of mine. I’m lucky to have his support on my projects.
“I just don’t think the game will hit right unless you can play your friend in class and get in trouble with the teacher.”
What’s the best way to learn how to make a video game?
It’s not as hard as people think, but it’s definitely time-consuming. Unity is free, and there are countless tutorials and videos available.
How much does it cost to start making a video game?
It depends on the game’s complexity. It could range from a few thousand dollars to millions for AAA titles. I’m keeping this project on a tight budget, but I plan to develop a big-budget game down the road after I’ve got a few games under my belt. The biggest expenses are custom 3D models and animations.
Every character movement in a game is an animation that’s programmed as a response. If “this” happens, then this animation plays, the health bar decreases, and so on. It’s a set of rules, which is not the fun part but it’s satisfying to see it all come together.
There are always bugs and debugging issues. We are currently having some issues with the “play with a friend” list on mobile. I just don’t think the game will hit right unless you can play your friend in class and get in trouble with the teacher.
Skatepark Smackdown Overview
How difficult is it to make a mobile game successful?
There are so many mobile games out there, and only a few really take off. We are focusing on a function where you can find your friends using Google Play or Apple ID and battle them online. I want people to play this on their way to skate spots. I also think it will get better as we add more characters. I’m also now a Playstation developer partner, so there will be a high-end version available on the PS5.
What’s the ultimate goal with Skatepark Smackdown?
Blow up and act like I don’t know anyone? As Neen says, “Hawaii beach houses.”
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