If you didn't know, one of the games in 2000 I'm looking forward to is Mario Tennis. Camelot has made only a few games for N64/GBC, and every game I have played of theirs has been a favorite of mine. To put it lightly...Camelot gives me wood.

Currently Camelot is finishing up Mario Tennis as well working on a GBA RPG! Core Magazine has scored a pretty sweet interview with the fine folks of Camelot. GBA news? Hell I don't care...give me my Mario Tennis! Read on for the GBA info in the interview....

In the interview (E) stands for elder, and (Y) stands for younger in relation to the Takahashi brothers.

Question: Moving on, I'd like to talk about your GameBoy Advance RPG, is it being developed specifically with the GBA in mind?

Takahashi-san (E): That wasn't our main goal, but it will incorporate many new ideas. To put it simply, the gameplay will be completely different from anything seen in an RPG.

Question: Could you be more specific please?

Takahashi-san (E): Hmm.. [Laughs..] In most RPGs, you spend your time running errands. For example; A king will tell you to search for an item. Until now, if you didn't follow these orders the storyline wouldn't evolve. But we wanted to change that. So we've developed a world where the story will progress regardless of what you do.

Question: So the gameplay won't be linear?

Takahashi-san (E): We decided from the onset that we wanted to create an experience radically different from other RPGs. In Shining Force II, there were three separate synchronized scenarios going on, and depending where the storyline flags were triggered, the game would change. For example, your lineup of characters dramatically effects the final battle in scenario 2. I don't think that was ever done before. Still, many developers think if the storyline isn't linear, then the players will be confused. Also, some developers feel if things change mid-game, the players will loose interest. But I disagree. Consider Mario Golf for the GameBoy. It's not an RPG, but to some extent the story unfolds as you play it, even through its purely a sports game.

Question: Very interesting...

Takahashi-san (E): As for the GameBoy Advance RPG, we're going to wait until the time is right before announcing all our ideas. I think it will change the way people look at storyline development. Another thing we'd like to change is the way puzzles are solved. Until now, solving puzzles in RPGs revolves around finding items and using them at the right time/place. We want players to think more for themselves. We want to change some of the entrenched standards such as using a switch to open a door. If we succeed, the gameplay experience will be 180 degrees different from what they're used to. One of my pet peeves has been that RPGs are limited to one path for the story. I think that's just being lazy. Since RPGs require so much commitment, the depth of the storyline should appeal to the player. That's the kind of game I want to make.

Question: What sort of world will the game (Gameboy Advance RPG) take place in?

Takahashi-san (E): Fantasy. But it will be completely different from anything done before. Aside from that, I can't say more without giving away the game. In a sense, I think players will find elements vaguely familiar. I've been waiting to develop such an RPG for a long time.

Question: Have you decided on a title for it yet?

Takahashi-san (E): Maybe. [laughs..]

Question: So you've been working on both versions of Mario Tennis and this GameBoy Advance RPG at the same time?

Takahashi-san (E): Yes, I think it will be ready when the GameBoy Advance goes on sale.

Question: Will Mario Tennis 64 be your last N64 title?

Takahashi-san (E): We're not sure yet, honestly.

Takahashi-san (Y): Mario Tennis 64 is running in real-time with complex polygon characters, it would be a shame if its our last N64 game, having come this far.