Q1 - In Hype – The Time Quest you have introduced a PLAYMOBIL toy as the hero of a challenging 3D action/adventure game that targets a wide range of people. How was this decision made?

When we started working with the PLAYMOBIL license, we knew that we were dealing with plastic toys with very friendly faces. These toys represented hours of fun and imagination for children around the world.  We also realized that there was a whole generation of adults who had played with Playmobil and would love to see their childhood toys come to life on the PC.
We saw that it was now possible to create a dynamic and funny universe for Hype – The Time Quest…a universe that is so unlike other dark and gloomy medieval games and would have a widespread appeal. 
We decided to develop this potential and create a real 3D action/adventure game that that it is based on the Playmobil world of toys AND provide challenge for gamers of all ages.

Q2 - It must have been kind of challenging to animate a “smiley” plastic toy into a PC-game avenger knight character?

 Actually, this was one of the initial challenges  we  faced. Initially,  the development team thought to  keep their legs and arms straight in order to keep the characters as much like the actual rigid, plastic toys as possible. But this proved very difficult for the characters to perform in-game movements and provide the best possible gameplay. For instance, without being able to bend their legs, everything from running and jumping to climbing a ladder or fighting became a challenge.  

Therefore we worked with Playmobil to create toys that were flexible in the game, but we were careful to keep the original Playmobil look in everything we designed. That's why the characters come back to a Playmobil stance with stiff arms and legs as soon as they stop moving. 

Q3 - At first the main storyline seems classical : Hype is sent back through time by the evil Black Knight and wants to take revenge. What else is there behind your scenario?

Quite a lot! This is not a simple linear trip through time but a complex labyrinth across the centuries. Hype shapes history according to the choices he makes and the actions he takes: the future will never be the same once he has passed through the fabric of time. He has to learn how to interact with time to avoid enemies, open secret pathsways, and erase his own legend. He will also have to learn how to turn enemies into allies, charm the ladies, befriend a dragon and much more that you will discover as you play the game!

Q4 - There are about 100 different characters in Hype – The Time Quest. This must represent quite a lot of dialogue?

Yes. This game is rich in dialogue, spoken words and music. We wanted the players to be completely immersed into the game and into the special atmospheres we have created using Dolby sound. The sound and music are very important to achieve this goal. The sound and music are tied to the gameplay we’ve designed. 
We have cast almost 100 different characters and absolutely all the dialogue is spoken. It is incredible to hear those little guys talk! When we initially tested  the voices, watching the characters speak for the first time was  Like watching a Saturday morning cartoon.