UPDATE: We've just got word that neukrOS V has been put onhold indefinately, until ForceFed Multimedia received funding for the project. Let's keep our fingers crossed, and wish them all the best.
While seeing big name developers like Squaresoft or Blizzard thesedays hogging the videogame headlines and charts, it's easy to overlook some of the upstarts or small developers in the industry. This week's feature brings you an exclucive interview with ForceFed Multimedia, an independent developer for neukrOS V, an upcoming PlayStation 2 title. We caught up with their CEO, Matt Riggsbee and asked him a few questions.
First of all let me just say what an honor it is to have this interview with you. Since many of our visitors are not familiar with ForceFed Multimedia, would you mind tell us a bit about the company and the philosophy behind it.
Thanks for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to have our voice heard. ForceFed Multimedia is an independent game developer with an epic story to tell through a series of RPG-related games. We are still seeking funding, so as of yet, we still haven't hit major production so any executives reading this drop me a mail. 
As far as philosophy, one of the big things that we see is a need to be in contact with the actual gamers. We plan on talking to the gamers as we go along with the development process. Take Neversoft, there's a company that was talking to us all through Tony Hawk 1 and 2 and made 2 top shelf games. I had a chance to meet a couple of the guys at E3 and they were great. Gamers play the most and they know what they want, its ridiculous not to listen to them.
Why do you choose to develop for the PlayStation 2 as opposed to other next-generation consoles? What factors do you perceive as advantages or disadvantage in developing for the console?
I'll admit it, I'm a Sony loyalist, but you can't deny the power of the system. We feel that the Playstation 2 is the only system right now that would enable us to get our game out the way we envision it. The development for console, over say, the PC market is obvious. You test your game on one box instead of 100. As far as the system itself, the advantages are its power and popularity. Disadvantages are the fact that it is a new console and there are going to be some hurdles to overcome. Plus it plays DVD movies!!!
A lot of developers have associated themselves with a certain genre (e.g. Squaresoft with RPGs, Westwood with RTS). Will ForceFed Multimedia be genre-specific?
ForceFed is going to be a pure RPG company at first. I have always been inspired by Squaresoft. They are without a doubt the most complete game company there is. They take care of it all; sound, graphics, the whole deal. Me and most of my team are huge RPG fans and that will translate into the supreme game experience with neukrOS V. We are taking care of all angles. In the future you may see some other games of different genres but for now we have a pretty set path of what games we want to make.
As an independent developer, what are your views on the current state of competition in the console gaming industry? How does it affect ForceFed Multimedia?
I can tell you from personal experience, the competition is pretty stiff. It has been a long time since I started trying to look for funding and I still am. Just like chasing any other dream though, it is always difficult and you need to stick with it. It affects us by not enabling us to get off the ground. My team continues to refine every aspect of the game we can at this point. While refinement is always a good thing, we'd like to start developing .
What can you tell us about the game you're developing for the PlayStation 2, neukrOS V?
neukrOS V is going to be a very stylized RPG. 12 playable characters, and a battle system that promises to involve the player more. Battle is the one thing that I haven't seen evolve much in the "Squaresoft-style" RPG. We are going to have the usual Hit Points and Magic Points, but we are adding a third ability to the mix, Psionics. I can't give any more away about that now. We are also very happy to have Bill Leeb of FrontLine Assembly and Delerium fame ready to do our soundtrack whenever we get going. I am a big fan of great audio in video games. Yasunori Mitsuda of Square is my hero.(Chrono Cross and Xenogears)
Are you a gamer yourself? If yes, what genre of gaming do you prefer and why?
Oh yes. I play more games than anyone on the team. My favorite genre is of course RPG's with my favorite game of all time being Xenogears. Games I'm looking forward to? BioWare's NeverWinter Nights, if you haven't looked at this, do it, it's gonna be a winner.
Where do you see ForceFed Multimedia 5 years from now?
Heh. Well, hopefully we will be making games of course!!! LOL We haven't met much support from investors or publishers. So help us out if you can and we hope to see you playing our games in the future.
For more infomation on ForceFed Multimedia and it's upcoming PS 2 title, neukrOS V, head on to their corporate website. At the time of publication, ForceFed Multimedia is still looking for a publisher for neukrOS V. If you're interested, please get in touch with Matt Riggsbee.
All artwork and graphics relating to ForceFed Multimedia and neukrOS V are here with permission from ForceFed Multimedia.
