Breaking Free from Convention: Ziggurat's New Take on Slave Zero

The year 1999 saw the release of Slave Zero, a 3D shooter developed by Infogrames, where players controlled a massive robot wreaking havoc in a futuristic city. Although it garnered mixed reviews, the game still managed to amass a loyal fan base. Fast-forward to 2022, when Ziggurat Interactive announced the development of Slave Zero X, a new installment in the franchise, in collaboration with Poppy Works, the studio behind Devil Engine and Halloween Forever. What was surprising, however, was the significant departure from the original game's formula. Instead of a third-person shooter, Slave Zero X is a 2.5D action game where players control a character wielding a sword, set in a similar futuristic universe. As the game's launch approaches, Ziggurat's publishing producer Alex Lotz and marketing coordinator Cole Law shed light on the reasoning behind this bold new direction. According to Lotz, the project wasn't initially conceived as a Slave Zero game. Rather, it was a Shinobi-inspired prototype developed by Poppy Works, which was later adapted to fit the Slave Zero universe due to its sci-fi setting and anime influences. Lotz, who previously worked at Tommo, the company that held the rights to Slave Zero before Ziggurat, had always felt that the franchise had untapped potential. By attaching the Slave Zero IP to the existing project, the development team was able to add a new layer of depth to the game, drawing inspiration from the original's concept art, themes, and story. The decision to revive the franchise in a new form, rather than creating a direct sequel, was a deliberate choice to expand the Slave Zero universe. As Lotz explains, the goal was not to replace the original but to build upon it, much like Ziggurat's approach to the BloodRayne franchise. The marketing strategy for Slave Zero X highlights the game's action-packed gameplay, drawing comparisons to Devil May Cry, Strider, and Guilty Gear. This move aims to reposition the Slave Zero franchise in the minds of potential players, distancing it from its third-person shooter roots. The development team's passion for the project and their reverence for the original game's concept art have been key factors in shaping the final product. With the game's release imminent, Ziggurat is hopeful that fans will appreciate the new direction, and the company remains committed to its mission of preserving and reviving deserving games, regardless of their commercial success.