The Treasure Interview

[Leon Retro]

Edge recently interviewed the founder and CEO of Treasure Masato Maegawa. A few points stuck out in the interview such as:

He says making a new Gunstar Heroes for a machine such as the PS2 wouldn't be easy because people would expect a high-quality 2D that would require hard work and take a lot of resources. This is basically why the Guardian and Gunstar Heroes updates are for GBA- a machine that doesn't require as much effort and has far lower graphical standards.

When quizzed about the GBA being more powerful than the Megadrive he says he doesn't think the MD is less powerful in some respects.

He thinks doing multi-platform titles is a bad thing- and gives the impression that he may choose one platform to develop for next-gen. He contradicts himself to a degree by saying all three systems will be powerful enough!


I love Treasure, but the interview gave me some concerns about the direction/attitude and management of the company.

Anyone else have any opinions regarding the interview and Treasure in general?

[Team Andromeda]

Edge recently interviewed the founder and CEO of Treasure Masasto Maegawa. A few points stuck out in the interview such as:

He says making a new Gunstar Heroes for a machine such as the PS2 wouldn't be easy because people would expect a high-quality 2D that would require hard work and take a lot of resources. This is basically why the Guardian and Gunstar Heroes updates are for GBA- a machine that doesn't require as much effort and has far lower graphical standards.

No he didn't say that exactly. When Gunstar Heroes II was 1st started , nether the DS or PSP were a reality.

[Golgo]

Treasure know their skills, their limits, their fanbase, and the larger market. And the EDGE interview you referred to confirms the fact.

They're never going to be a multi-platform world-beaters, nor do they want or indeed need to be.

Relax. Just relax...and look forward to Gunstar Super/Future Heroes...

[eastyy]

Still think a treasure retro collection would be great (though i did hear a rumour that something is being done with the megadrive games) wish/hope the saturn games would be included

[Leon Retro]

No he didn't say that exactly. When Gunstar Heroes II was 1st started , nether the DS or PSP were a reality.

He did say that the problem with making a proper next-gen update would come down to it requiring serious resources and a lot of effort.

Putting it on a hand-held imo is the easy option- and lacks guts. I reckon a proper console update could sell more copies than the GBA version because the GBA market is all about licensed titles these days!

The only reason Gradius V was a console game is simply because it was a Konami funded effort.


I see Masato's attitude as misguided and lacking in commitment. The company may be small- but they have also partnered with Sega and other big names in the past- so the funding could possibly be there if they persued bigger more ambitious projects ( this wouldn't mean making Metal Gear wannabes etc...)

What are the reasons behind Treasure not making proper next-gen 2D games? Masato says it's because such projects are too ambitious for the company. Is this because he thinks the games will sell in low numbers like nearly every past Treasure title?

If the Gunstar Heroes or Guardian Heroes sequels had been glorious hi-res console titles, would it matter if they didn't sell as many copies as say Sonic Heroes?

Maybe Treasure could sell more games if the people in charge of the company had more faith and vision!

[eastyy]

Am i correct in that treasure was founded because many people working at konami had become disgruntled so set up there own company?

[Golgo]

Am i correct in that treasure was founded because many people working at konami had become disgruntled so set up there own company?

yep. you right.

[eastyy]

wonder what they were disgruntled about

[Leon Retro]

wonder what they were disgruntled about

The Treasure people were behind Castlevania4 and Contra 3. Obviously these people didn't want to make further sequels to established brands and therefore decided to set-up Treasure so that they may create original titles.

If they hadn't left Konami they would probably have developed more snes games such as Contra 4 and CV5. This would explain the of lack of expected sequels to these classics on the machine.

[MikeRox]

They need to start a franchise called Vampire Murderer or sommet :P

[mattSix]

the irony of treasure's fierce stance on creativity as both success and downfall was well represented in that article. establishing their independance in order to focus on creating new IP has earned them a hardcore fanbase which spends most of it's time clamouring for sequels!

that said, the most interesting tidbit for me in that interview was the talk of an ikaruga sequel! 8)

[Leon Retro]

They know they have a hard-core fanbase. They seem very acceptant of the fact that their games will never sell in massive numbers. So why are they being so cautious when it comes to proper next-gen 2D titles. I would been far more excited if they had made a hi-res beautiful sequel to one of their heroes games rather than putting them on the GBA.

The interview left me underwhelmed at the lack of passion displayed by the CEO. I want to hear about Treasure making amazing new console games and really being at the forefront of a new wave of hi-res 2D games. They know they are never gonna be able to compete with the Metal Gears of this world- but making these cherished franchises for hand-helds is aiming too low imo!

A true Guardian Heroes sequel taking full advantage of modern machines is what I want- or a game like it!

[Team Andromeda]

He did say that the problem with making a proper next-gen update would come down to it requiring serious resources and a lot of effort.

Putting it on a hand-held imo is the easy option- and lacks guts. I reckon a proper console update could sell more copies than the GBA version because the GBA market is all about licensed titles these days!

The only reason Gradius V was a console game is simply because it was a Konami funded effort.


I see Masato's attitude as misguided and lacking in commitment. The company may be small- but they have also partnered with Sega and other big names in the past- so the funding could possibly be there if they persued bigger more ambitious projects ( this wouldn't mean making Metal Gear wannabes etc...)

What are the reasons behind Treasure not making proper next-gen 2D games? Masato says it's because such projects are too ambitious for the company. Is this because he thinks the games will sell in low numbers like nearly every past Treasure title?

If the Gunstar Heroes or Guardian Heroes sequels had been glorious hi-res console titles, would it matter if they didn't sell as many copies as say Sonic Heroes?

Maybe Treasure could sell more games if the people in charge of the company had more faith and vision!

Not it made sense to make GH 2 a HH. A 2D game would not sell on a main console not matter how good the graphics are. SEGA are funding GH II and they funded Guardian Heroes II . So it's not all about money.

Who do you think funded the likes of Ikaruga, RSG and thier new Type-X shooter ???. If Treasure want to make a game they'll make it .
They're just make the best use of the talent they got, and letting the staff chose what projects to make , rather than them being forced on them (for the most part).

Treasue are hardly lacking. They pushed the Saturn, N64, DC , PS2 better than most with most prob no more than 8 people working on the projects.

I think you're worrying about nothing

[Ben-K]

At the end of the day, games cost money to make. What you call lack of vision/passion, I call being sensible.

I'd much rather Treasure kept making the modest titles they do, rather than blowing all the cash on a big budget Guardian Heroes update. Especially if it was as sucky as the GBA GH.

[Molloy]

Sod ambition. They could go doubling their staff, and spend 3 years making one game. But that would be dull. It's just a mindless slog making big games.

I'd rather they kept doing lots of small projects. I'm more interested in new gaming concepts (GS2 for instance sounds very different from the Mega Drive game) than the resolution of the sprites.

I like how he explained the importance of the hard mode in Treasure games. That he wanted to give players different ways of experiencing the game. Instead of doing like most developers and bull****ting on about 20+ hours of gameplay he was more interested in giving you a variety of ways to enjoy the game.