Breaking Free from Convention

The year 1999 saw the release of Slave Zero, a third-person shooter published by Infogrames for PC and Dreamcast. Although the game received mixed reviews, it developed a loyal fan base, with many players enjoying the simple pleasure of hurling cars at enemies. Despite this, there was no overwhelming demand for a sequel, making the announcement of Slave Zero X in June 2022 a surprise. Developed by Poppy Works, the studio behind Devil Engine and Halloween Forever, Slave Zero X is a 2.5D action game that deviates significantly from the original. Instead of controlling a massive mech, players take on the role of a person-sized character wielding a sword, set against a futuristic backdrop. With the game's launch imminent, Ziggurat's publishing producer Alex Lotz and marketing coordinator Cole Law shed light on the reasoning behind this drastic change in direction. According to Lotz, the project began as a Shinobi-inspired game with fighting game mechanics, and the team at Poppy Works saw an opportunity to integrate it into the Slave Zero universe. While the new game is a hack-and-slash, it remains faithful to the art direction, concept art, and themes of the original, offering a fresh take on the franchise. Lotz, who previously worked at Tommo, the company that held the rights to Slave Zero before Ziggurat, always felt that there was more potential in the franchise. The decision to attach the Slave Zero IP to an existing project in development was not a case of retro-fitting, but rather giving the project a clear direction. The marketing materials for Slave Zero X draw comparisons to games like Devil May Cry, Strider, and Guilty Gear, aiming to reposition the game in the minds of potential players. Ziggurat has experience with reimagining franchises, having previously worked on the BloodRayne series, which transitioned from a third-person action game to a 2D action game with BloodRayne: Betrayal. In both cases, the goal was to expand on the original work rather than replace it. The reaction from fans of the original Slave Zero has been largely positive, with many excited about the new direction. The development team's passion for the project and their reverence for the source material have been key factors in this success. Even if the Slave Zero IP is not a household name, Ziggurat believes in preserving and extending games that deserve it, regardless of their market recognition.