Developer Q&A

Duel Masters for PlayStation®2
Ben Hoyt, Producer, High Voltage Software

Q: What is Duel Masters?
A: Duel Masters is an exciting game based on the popular collectible card game of the same name, created by Wizards of the Coast (makers of Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon). In the video game version we focus on the powerful creatures and strategic battles of the Duel Masters universe, while entertaining gamers with spectacular visual effects and cinemas. The game itself has two modes of play: Turn-based and Extreme. In Turn-based play, the gameplay experience is similar to the card game with players taking turns summoning creatures and casting spells, whereas Extreme Mode allows players, for the first time, to play a trading card game in real-time. The end result is two unique ways to play, both of which are a ton of fun and very challenging.

Q: Why bring Duel Masters to the PS2?
A: In creating the video game version of Duel Masters, we wanted to achieve several goals. First of all, we wanted to bring the awesome creatures of the Duel Masters universe to life and put the player in control of them in a way that is only possible in a video game. However, we didn’t just want to create a video game version of the card game. We felt that it was important to create something new and innovative for the video game that would offer players a way to play Duel Masters, which they couldn’t get with the cards. This was the motivation behind Extreme Mode. When the choice of platform came up, it was infinitely clear that the platform of choice was the PS2. No other platform can offer us the market penetration that the PS2 can, so we decided to create the game for Sony’s powerful system.

Q: How was Wizards of the Coast involved in developing this game?
A: WotC was integral in providing the team with game rules and strategies, card art, and information about the IP as a whole. We simply could not have made this game as engrossing and fun without their involvement.

Q: Is the game based on the TV show?
A: the Duel Masters PS2 game is “loosely” based on the TV show. It takes place in a similar world and a couple of characters from the TV show make appearances in the video game story. The story of the video game, however, follows five cool, new characters that were created just for the video game. Guided by Knight (whom fans will be familiar with from the cartoon), these 5 young duelists seek to thwart the machinations of the evil villainess “The Widow,” and become Kaijudo Masters, in the process.

Q: How many creatures are in the game and how did you choose from the entire Duel Masters universe?
A: Duel Masters features 109 incredibly detailed creatures from the card game, as well as 30 powerful spells. Each of these creatures passed through a series of design filters before they were ultimately chosen to be included in the game. We ultimately selected a set of creatures who support the rich diversity of gameplay strategies from the card game and, of course, look awesome!

Q: Which card expansion sets are represented in the game? Are there any new creatures?
A: We feature creatures and spells from each set from Base up through and including the recently released, Shadowclash of Blinding Night. We also feature five powerful, never-before-seen creatures that can only be found in the video game (there might even be a sixth if you’re good enough to find it!).

Q: What is 'Extreme' mode? How is it different from the trading card game experience?
A: In Extreme Mode, players duel simultaneously, in “real-time,” as opposed to the traditional turn-based method of playing a card game. The result is a fast-paced, action-packed version of the game that is simply not possible anywhere except in a video game. Extreme Mode is not for beginners, though, as it is truly is a test of each player’s deck building ability, reflexes, and ability to strategize under pressure!

Q: Are there strategies that you can recommend to a novice duelist? What about experts?
A: There are many powerful strategies involved in Duel Masters, some concentrate on breaking shields early while others focus on destroying creatures. Personally, I use a pure Darkness deck that is centered on removing cards from my opponent’s hand and Slayers that allow me to destroy any creature my opponent can summon. Few things are more gratifying in a duel than destroying your opponent’s big double breaker creature with your little 1000-power Slayer.

The best advice I could offer is this: keep your deck design focused. Have an idea of what you want your deck to do, and ONLY include cards that help support that strategy. Avoid diluting your deck with cards that you just think are cool or interesting. Also, make sure you try to have as many copies of each card as you can (up to 4, of course). This makes your deck more reliable. A 40-card deck with 4 copies of 10 different cards is generally much stronger than a 40-card deck with 40 different cards in it.

Ultimately, there are plenty of strategies that can succeed and there is no “perfect deck.”

Q: If you could make another Duel Masters game for the PS2, what would you add or change?
A: More creatures from as many of the new sets as WotC can release. As a designer, I always want more. More creatures, more spells, more amazing visual effects, and more fun! Rest assured, that if we create a sequel to Duel Masters, that this team will make sure that we give fans more of what they want and a few things they don’t know they need.