CONCERNING MAKING METROID INTO A MOVIE

Well then, I have one final question. What games are everyone working on now?

Sakamoto: The game I'm working on now... How much should I say?

However much you say is good enough (Laughs)

Sakamoto: Right now, on the DS I'm working on Made in Wario (WarioWare). Beyond that...

Are you also working on Metroid DS?

Sakamoto: We're looking into that in my department, too. Beyond that, there's one more game than Made In Wario that we're making for the Game Boy Advance. It's called Mawaru Made in Wario (WarioWare Twisted), but...

What kind of game is it exactly?

Sakamoto: It's a twisting game! (Laughs) Well, I suppose it's better to leave the rest up to your imagination.

Kiyotake-san, you are, of course, at the heart of the Wario games series.

Kiyotake: That's right. Outside of that, I've been told, "Please think about the next one."

The next...?

Kiyotake: On the subject of Wario, I am thinking about what the next version will be.

I see. Osawa-san?

Osawa: I am doing one GBA game and am on schedule to complete it by the end of the year, and after that I'm doing one project for the Gamecube, and I am also moving with the objective to complete it by the end of the year. Right now, regarding these works, I have lots of work producing and directing.

Sakamoto: I think he's coordinating.

In other words, he's collaborating on a game with an external development company. Of course, do you get outside much?

Osawa: I go on LOTS of business trips. I go to Tokyo for about half a week. However, I've been doing this for a long time now.

With two games by the end of this year, there's got to be one you're interested in... :)

Osawa: That's still a secret! (Laughs)

Sakamoto: The truth is, we don't know the details of what other groups are working on.

But you're in the same department! (Laughs) What are you doing now, sound supervisor Yamamoto-san?

Yamamoto: Metroid Prime 2.

Now aren't you just in the middle of exchanging sound back and forth with Retro Studios in America?

Yamamoto: That's right.

Did the people at Retro Studios come to Kyoto?

Yamamoto: Nope, this time we went over there.

Did you also go to Texas, Yamamoto-san?

Yamamoto: No. I was confined to Kyoto, and am doing nothing but work composing music.

Absolutely finally, I'd like to hear what you have to say regarding the Metroid film adaptation...

Sakamoto: There's been no real progress. Before E3, they'd decided to do a film adaptation, and misleading news has flowed out. But the truth is, the company that director John Woo belongs to negotiated the rights to a film adaptation of Metroid with NOA (Nintendo of America), and that's correct, but as to whether the film adaptation has been formally settled or when it will be released, that hasn't been decided.

It would be GREAT if they settled it quickly! From now on, it will be fun playing the games of the Planning Development Department!

Sakamoto: Please look forward to them!