Eragon on the GBA promises to be a completely different experience than on any other system.  Why?  We spoke with Ben Borth, Associate Producer at Vivendi Games, to find out...

GT: What special challenges did you face in bringing the world of Eragon to a portable game?

BB: Actually, we didn’t find too much difficulty with this one. We knew we wanted to create unique experiences with each portable version of Eragon and the genre we felt was a perfect match for Eragon on the GBA was the traditional Role-Playing Game. The book’s author, Christopher Paolini, created such a vast world with a great array of characters that translates quite well into the RPG realm. Going RPG also lends perfectly to the GBA in that it presents a deep and rewarding gameplay experience without requiring intense graphics or complicated control schemes.

GT: In developing the game’s story did you rely more on the story as told in the movie or on that from the books?

BB: For Eragon GBA, we relied more on the story as told in the book. By their nature, Role Playing Games focus a lot into character development and spending a lot of time taking those characters through deep storylines. We knew that focusing on the story from the book would allow us liberty to explore extended locations and provide extra characters for us to interact with that didn’t make the cut of the film.

GT: Is the gameplay of the portable version unique from that of the home consoles?

BB: Not only is the GBA version unique from the console version, it is also a completely different game from the DS and PSP versions. The GBA version is a traditional turn-based Role-Playing Game, while the console version is a hack-and-slash action game, the DS version is an Action RPG, and the PSP is a dragon flight action game.

GT: Would you say that the game’s emphasis is more on exploration or more on combat?

BB: I would say, as is the case with any good RPG experience, it is equal parts exploration and combat. The combat is your source of gaining experience and leveling up your characters. Leveling up allows you to explore new areas where enemies become more challenging. Also, leveling up certain skills, such as Hunting, will allow you to discover hidden tracks which lead to secret areas and bonus items/equipment.

GT: Will puzzle-solving play a part in the game’s quests?

BB: To a certain degree you’ll have to solve the problems of certain townspeople to acquire better items and equipment. For the most part, certain battles can be puzzles in choosing what’s the best attack and in which order to get the best result.

GT: How many playable characters will there be in the game?

BB: Including Saphira, there are 10 playable characters in the game.

GT: Will dragons be a part of the game?

BB: Can’t be a dragon rider without a dragon! Eragon’s dragon Saphira is in the game and at times she becomes a fully playable member of the party. She can also be ridden in the overland map to get from place to place. Other times, she acts as a guide. You can access a menu to talk with Saphira and get additional information on characters, locations and the quest at hand.
 

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