Ed Del Castillo, Maker of Adventure Game of the Year Desperate Housewives, discusses world building and game memories, his background and work on notable games, the pioneering real-time strategy game Siege, and challenges and opportunities in the gaming industry.
Eddie Del Castillo drew inspiration from Kung Fu theater, WWF wrestling, and Japanese culture for his game Battle Realms.
Battle Realms faced distribution challenges but developed a dedicated fan base due to its unique attention to detail and immersive gameplay.
Eddie Del Castillo emphasizes the importance of creating games that bring joy and entertainment to players, based on his experiences with Command & Conquer and Battle Realms.
Deep dives
The Birth of Liquid Entertainment
After leaving Westwood Studios and taking a Hawaiian holiday, Eddie Del Castillo decided to start his own company, Liquid Entertainment. He began sketching out ideas and pitching them to potential partners. Eventually, he struck a deal with a company in Torrance and started working on a real-time strategy game with a romantic Japanese fantasy theme.
The Development of Battle Realms
Battle Realms, the flagship game from Liquid Entertainment, was a labor of love for Eddie Del Castillo. He drew inspiration from his childhood, incorporating elements from Kung Fu theater, WWF wrestling, and Japanese culture. The game aimed for a touchstone of realism, featuring detailed mechanics such as resource gathering, horse training, and 3D forest canopies. Despite facing distribution challenges and underestimation by publishers, Battle Realms developed a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base.
Distribution Challenges and Success
Battle Realms faced inventory and distribution challenges due to underestimation by publishers, leading to initial scarcity and delayed restocking. However, the game managed to sell out in just two weeks in LA and gained a dedicated fan base. The limitations of physical distribution at the time affected the game's reach and availability, but it garnered a passionate following among those who appreciated its unique attention to detail and immersive gameplay.
Building Games with Craftsmanship
Eddie Del Castillo discusses his approach to game development, highlighting the importance of crafting games that work for a broad audience. He shares insights from his experience working on games like Command & Conquer and Battle Realms, emphasizing the value of creating experiences that bring joy and entertainment to players.
The Legacy of Red Alert and Frost Giant Studios
Eddie Del Castillo reflects on the impact of Red Alert, sharing anecdotes from his time at Westwood Studios and the development of the game. He also mentions Frost Giant Studios, a new company founded by former StarCraft II developers, and their plans to work on real-time strategy games in the future.
Maker of Adventure Game of the Year "Desperate Housewives" Ed Del Castillo has made a couple other impactful games - Command and Conquer Red Alert, Battle Realms, Ultima IX. He invented box select in RTS games and revolutionized install screens. Tales of shaving icebergs and catching the froth in this week's The Fourth Curtain podcast.
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Audio Editor: Bryen Hensley Video Editor: Sarkis Grigorian Producer: Shanglan (May) Li Art: Paul Russel Community Manager: Doug Zartman Featuring Liberation by 505
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