Introduction

A lot of you will know of Kyle Ward. He is the Music Producer, Audio Engineer, and Content Manager of the new Andamiro game "Pump It Up Pro" that was on show at this years ATEI. On the 24th of January 2008, DDRUK managed to pull him away from his new machine and ask him a few questions about his new game, and a little about himself. Kyle was a friendly and very forthcoming man, and we were happy to have been able to interview him. You can keep upto date with all of his upcoming projects at his website!

The Interview - Part 1

Kyle Ward and Mike discussing the finer points of life! Mike: Hi Kyle. So, you're here to show off Pump It Up Pro, it's a new machine by Andamerio, isn't it? Kyle: Yes, it's a product by Andamiro, getting released in Europe at this show. Mike: Is it already out in America and Korea then? Kyle: It's a world wide release, so any country that wants it can purchase it. Mike: Are there any machines currently out there already? Kyle: There are 3 in Mexico, there is a group of 8 that went to Brazil, and I have heard that there are a couple of locations here that have bought it. So its expanding slowly but surely. It just takes a little bit of time for these things. Mike: So, tell us a little about the machine. It looks like you've made a new Pump it Up and added a lot of In The Groove content to it. Kyle: We have yeah. We were trying to capture new players and I think we have done a pretty good job there. We feel that there are a lot of people out there who have never tried Pump it Up and I think there are a couple of things that stop them from trying. Things like the interface. People didn't understand the usual Pump it Up interface - not that it was a bad interface - it didn't make sense to some people. Mike: That'll be because it didn't have any buttons on the front, people had to use the pads for everything. Kyle: Right, and this was one of the reasons why the "Pro" interface was the "Pro" interface. That's the main reason why we got that name on it. Mike: The name 'Pro' make it sound like its catering for the upper tier players - Kyle: Yeah yeah... Mike: - But it does seem really user friendly too, with features like buttons instead of using the pads. Kyle: Yeah, there's a lot of 8 year old kids and 12 year old kids, they have no experience with dance games at all, 4 panel or 5 panel. They want a go, they put in their money and they are able to play. It's really easy for them to understand! I already seen some of kids on there playing 12's. 8 year old and 12 year old kids. Its amazing because it's a whole new community of Pump players arriving. Mike: It's definately a good thing that the young people are getting into it, yeah. Kyle: It's another generation right, so I mean that is only a good thing. Mike: So what would you say to all the people out there, because I know over here its received a lot of flack because everyone thinks that you are just putting In The Groove onto Pump It Up. That it's not the 'heart' of Pump it Up and as such it's losing it's character. Kyle: Well it goes with any of those games because there is a lot of forum talk, lot's of rumours that have spread, and I think you can't really stop that, and I can't really say anything that is going to make those people think any better about the product. Mike: So you'll just let them think that it is In The Groove in a Pump It Up machine? Kyle: Well it's really not. I mean honestly, if you consider that there are only about 12 ITG crossovers in that game. The way we developed the song list, is that we wanted the "hits" of the Pump It Up Series up till Xenesis. So we took what we thought was a good rounded list, like some freestyle songs, some good speeder songs, and we took 12 crossovers from the ITG series that the 4 panel players are familiar with. Then on top of that we added about 35 to 40 new songs that were supposed to be on another project which I wont name, but there are some songs on there that are new as well, made specifically for Pump It Up, and a lot of step patterns. What we took was inspiration from a lot of the ITG songs. Some of them we tailored the step design to be steppable for 4 panel players, obviously, because a lot of 4 panel players are not familiar with the twists and crossovers that the standard Pump players are used to. Mike: Yeah, I played Xuxa on it a little earlier, and the steps are very much at the same time as on In The Groove. It was very simple to pick up on. Kyle: They should be very familiar to the In The Groove players, but then you have other songs like Oasis. It's different as there's not much twisting other than the Nightmare chart, its all new. There are a lot of charts that have twisting in, just like the standard Pump charts. Exotica on Crazy and Re-Ravefor instance. They have a lot of those complex turns. It feels just like a great crazy chart with some motion in it. ****What we have done is taken a combination of other step charts, and filled them in so when they start the game they can progress to the other charts that are already there from Pump It Up, and pretty soon they'll be enjoying all of those.**** Mike: The good old Andamiro originals. Kyle: Right, right. The In The Groove songs will help players try the game properly for the first time if they may have not considered it before. Mike: Yeah, lot of people that play In The Groove will see the In The Groove songs, go "Ah, I recognise this", play it, get used to the 5 panel set up, and move onto the other songs they like the sound of. Kyle: Right! There are really not that many ITG songs on there, I guess there are only about 12 ITG Songs. We are composing a lot of Pump It Up hits along with some new material. Mike: Like you mean, all the popular In The Groove hits. Kyle: Right, exactly, Pump It Up hits, In The Groove hits, and new material too. Honestly I think that songlist is a pretty great songlist. We have tried to revive some things from Pump It Up that have been around for a while like Maria. And we were trying for ****Get Michelle to get this songname*** , luckly that got into NX2 for those people. But we tried for some other songs that people have not seen for a while. I love Maria too, so its kinda a different list, we are not trying to be "another Pump It Up", we are trying to be a little bit different. Like a sister series. Mike: So I guess you have been playing 5 panel for a long time now then? Thats another thing - People thought you came along from the In The Groove team having done lots of hard 4 panel stuff, and they thought, "Oh he is just moving to 5 panel now since he can't do 4 panel anymore". Kyle: Yeah we just took the old step charts and we autogened everything. And there you go, theres a new game. We called it Pump It Up Simulator! Mike: Yes!! So have you been playing 5 panel for a long time now? Kyle: Yes, like I was talking to Michelle earlier. I really enjoy Extra mix. I think that it was a staple mix for Pump It Up, it kinda changed a lot of things. I mean for example, people still like the note skin form that mix. Personally I love the Exceed Series though. I think as far as classic Pump goes, that series changed everything. Mike: Like the songlist and layout? I loved those as well. Kyle: Layout and song selection. Its reflected still in Zero and New Xensis. Zero... I mean Exceed, changed everything. So... Umm what was the original question! Mike: It was... Err, do you play a lot of 5 panel games as well, and how long have you been playing them for?. Kyle: Ah yeah, sorry. I like dance games, more particually I like the Bemani Music Games. I like the fitness aspect of it. And I really like dance music, so thats why I am not really as drawn to other music games, so I like to think of myself as a dance game man. Mike: So you don't like things sorta like Drum Mania and... Kyle: Yeah, well I mean I don't hate them. It's just that they you know... Mike: It doens't give the same exercise that the others give? And you make dance music too don't you? Kyle: Right right, I really like dance music, I feel like I should live in Europe actually. It's very strange in the US to have a fascination for those types of music. Mike: Not the same scene as over here then? Big raves and all that. Kyle: It seems like in the US is focused in on Pop and Hip Hop and Top 40 stuff and... Thats just not my cup of tea. It's not <i>bad music</i>, I love all types of music. Mike: You do a lot of... Cause I know the Positive Gaming Tournament is coming up, your doing a set there aren't you? Kyle: Right, I am gonna do... be playing live to as well, I have my partner coming up as well, we're going to be doing some Oscillator X material , we are going to some as well. Its just going to be a lot of fun. Mike: Do you do a lot of that over in America then, cause you say there's not the same scene for music... Kyle: We do actually concerts in Portland and Seattle. So we do actually get a chance to do performances. I really like that with music, what with it being my passion. Yeah, thats fun! Mike: I know a few people over here who make their own songs, trying to get them in the games and such. Did you get anything up before you started with Roxor? I mean did you get any music into games before Roxor? Kyle: Actually, on my site I have a list of games. I do mainly contract work, so I have my own studio. I get emails and requests from a bunch of people, I have to pick what I think is a good project to take, so anyone wanting me to do something for them they can contact me, so I can work out some kind of arrangement for them to get music compose. I started a record label ***lots I can't hear*** So it's been a really easy and fun career, being able to contract and do anything for any type of company you want to, I mean the record label is going great now. Mike: So did your music take off before you started making In The Groove? Kyle: Yeah, I started making music about, 1989? Mike: I was going to say, no offence to you but I hadn't heard of you before In The Groove. Then again I wasn't big on the music scene either. So did you have a lot of stuff out before then? Kyle: I did. Just like any budding artist though, it takes a little bit time to release your stuff over certain networks so people can find you, but thats probably the struggle of any artist. Cause we just want to get people connected with music. Fortunatly, I really enjoy these projects as I am able to connect the two together. Mike: So how old are you now? I mean you just said when you released your first stuff, and I mean you look quite young! Kyle: 21 Mike: 21? Really? Kyle: Go with that for now! Mike: Hehehe, fair enough, 21. So how many years how you been 21 for? Kyle: A couple of years now! It's a great age, I love it, my birthday parties get better every year!A

The Interview - Part 2

The happy couple taking a break We took a break in the middle of the interview, due to a few technical hitches! The following questions were slightly off the cuff, with some fun parts thrown in. Kyle: Hellooooo!!! I am trying to get my english accicent, I have been walking around I should try to fit in. I really don't! Mike: Hehe, do you come here very often then? Kyle: This is my first time here and I love it. Its great here. Mike: What do you think of all the people here compared to America? I mean you have now met all the high end dancers... Kyle: All you guys are really nice. I have been to Norway too. It's interesting but it seems like there is a lot of cultures here in England, like from everywhere. Probably more than in the USA! I like the city, and I like going on the Subway, its really cool. Mike: Really? Kyle: Yeah. Mike: Maybe for you. Not many people like the subway down here, I can tell you that!! Kyle: We don't actually have one in Orleans. We have one thats above ground but sits pretty, not like what you guys have here...

The Interview - Part 3

Kyle shows us how strong he really is! After the technical hitches had passed, Mike was able to continue with the interview. Mike: And now we're back! So how long have you been with Andamiro? Did you join them when Roxor sort of went down? Kyle: Well we have sort of been plotting a Pump It Up Pro Project before In The Groove was cut off... I would say ATEI 2006. sorry not ATEI, ASI 2006. It used to be Chicago then it got moved to Vegas. But we had been actually wanting to work with Andamiro, cause of course they were partners for the pads for In The Groove. So we always tossed around the idea, I think this would have... it would be hard to say that this wouldn't have happened anyway. I think we had interesting ideas to offer the 5 panel community, and I think its come out well. I think it would have still come out anyway... it's hard to say. Mike: Had it been in development like the whole time over those 2 years? Kyle: It was more talked about than in development, we were very fortunate because Andamiro is a great company and we love working with them. Mike: Does that means there's going to be a Pump it Up Pro 2 coming out then? Kyle: We are potentually looking at some other Pump products, and Pro 2 might be one of those, I can't give you too many details now! Mike: Other Pump products... Kyle: Yeah.. I guess we shall find out as these things go on. I am looking forward to hopfully getting Pump Pro 2 out. I think Pump Pro one has been as far as I am concerned, a pretty good success, and it has got a lot of different audiences into the 5 panel player. Mike: Well you have definately converted a lot of people over here, cause a lot of people who are into Pump were as I was saying before, a bit sceptical about it. Kyle: That goes without saying, but you should always try a product yourself before you pass judgement, as there is a lot of forum negativity and flaming that happens. Mike: I was almost getting drawn into it myself! Then I played it, and it is a really good product. Kyle: It's happening with all communities, not just this game. I mean I made a post about this on my site a while ago. The community seems like it is changing, and there is a lot of negativity going on. I think it is important right now just to have new products to play, and if a product is maybe not your cup of tea or its not your strong point then you don't have to play. But you don't have to ruin it for other people that might enjoy it, and I think more products that might come out to the market is better for all of us, as it means there are more things for us to enjoy, more things to play, and more social ties. Mike: So do you play anything other than dance games? Are you a fan of anything else or do you just play Pump it Up and DDR? Kyle: As far as games outside of dancing go, I used to be a first person shooter player. I used to be very into Quake 3, I actually have a jersey and everything! It makes no sense! With Quake 3, my times been towards music. Mike: How long have you been playing for? When was your first step onto a DDR Machine. Kyle: I think I started about 1999. I was going to school in Seattle, and I ran into a... I believe it was a USA and a 3rd Mix at the time. I never got to try 1st Mix, but I loved USA which is really funny cause now I look back at it, there are still some qualities I like about it. 3rd Mix, 4th Mix, 5th Mix, and the Exceed Series were also ones I really enjoyed, and I have all these Memories. It's interesting cause you can always think back to those Memories. Mike: Day one, where you first stepped on to it. Were you like "Wow, this is amazing!" Kyle: You know I had seen this concept when I was playing Quake. It would come up at these LAN parties and computer parties but I never thought to try it, but when I did eventually try it I was hooked! Its just a great concept, and I think it still has a great future now, and I just hope it draws more people. Mike: It just needs new things really, brand new things, brand new mixes, things to keep it fresh. Kyle: Right, you've got to keep innovating. Keep people interested and bring them back to the game. Mike: Exactly, In The Groove did quite a good job at that. Kyle: Right. I think it did do a great job, and I thought we had some good stuff planned for a future title. Mike: Well now you have Pump it Up to play with! Kyle: Yeah, and we still have more ideas, we have plenty of innovation left in us. Mike: Have you got anything to say to your fans and the community about that? Kyle: *laughs* I don't know if I have any fans or anything... Mike: You probably do! I mean you must've have some good record sales last year, and a lot of people like your music. You're quite famous! Kyle: *smiles* I appricate people trying the game, and I appreciate people listening to the music. Well, I'm not a good speech person really! - Keep on having fun, keep on playing, and thank you for giving us the oppurtunity to do a good job! The bottom line is, I enjoy doing this and I feel very fortunate to be in this position. I hope it continues as long as it does, and I look forward to doing future products. Mike: Good good! We all hope so too! Thanks very much for your time, and now for a hand shake!

The Interview - Part 4

Shaking hands at the end of the interview Just as we were finishing up, Mike remembered to ask about the WPF and how Pump It Up Pro would work within it. Mike: Oh, one more thing actually. Is Pump it up pro going to be showing itself at the WPF in the future? Kyle: We are really trying to keep the series separate, because we feel that there are a lot of classic players that are used to their game, and we are really trying not to step on too many toes. Mike: So you are going to do your own thing with new tournaments then? Kyle: Well we think we want to do the whole world tournament thing again, but where it also involves the UK, Italy and Brazil, as they are liking the game so far. So probably another branch of the tournament.