Interview with Adrian (Zombies, Run!)

Remember how I was just raving about the awesomeness of Zombies, Run? Well, I sent out an interview request because I have been loving the app so much, and Adrian took time out of what is no doubt an insanely busy schedule to answer a few questions for me.

I'm quickly running out of Creative Commons images of zombies.
(so thank you, Jere Keys)

Aine: The first thing I noticed about the game was that it sounded like a full-scale professional radio drama. How large a team were you able to bring together to work on the game?

Adrian: We had five full time people at Six to Start working on the game, plus Naomi (our writer), a sound engineer, and several actors. So there were quite a lot of people involved.

Aine: Which parts of the game (acting/recording, app development, web community/integration) were the most labor intensive to create?

Adrian: App development, and writing/acting/recording/editing were probably the two biggest chunks. 

Aine: Obligatory Kickstarter question: Were there sections of the game that wouldn't have been possible if you hadn't received nearly six times your funding goal?

Adrian: We'd probably have had to make fewer missions, I think, or at least release earlier and with fewer features.

Aine: I noticed on the blog that there is now fan fiction and art of the game, do you think Kickstarter had a role in creating a fan base and community as well as gathering funds?

Adrian: It definitely helped with creating a community and making sure there was a lot of buzz when the game launched.

Aine: With each new update, the app keeps getting bigger and better. What's next for Six to Start? Are there plans to add more story, almost like doing a second season of a tv show?

Adrian: There'll definitely be a season 2 later this year, plus more free and paid missions and features before then as well. People clearly love the game and we want to keep on supporting it. Plus there's a lot we want to start doing on the web.

Aine: Are there other genres that you are considering tackling beyond zombies? Would you all use Kickstarter again to fund and launch a new product?

Adrian: Our next game is likely to be nothing to do with zombies or exercise, so we're definitely not a one-trick pony! And we probably would use Kickstarter again, since it was so successful with Zombies, Run! and everyone enjoyed it.

Thanks again to Adrian and Six to Start. After sending out the interview, I found that there's an entire subreddit devoted to Zombies, Run! Not only that, but Adrian occasionally ducks in and answers questions about the game. If you want to avoid spoilers, I suggest you get running.