Gen Urobuchi Reveals Secrets Behind Rusty Rabbit’s Unique Development Journey

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Veteran anime scribe Gen Urobuchi is collaborating with visual novel game studio Nitroplus and Chinese online entertainment provider NetEase on “Rusty Rabbit“, an eccentric 2.5D Metroidvania game. In “Rusty Rabbit “, a rabbit named Stamp and their mechanical companion, Junkster, embark on a journey through the dangerous Smokestack Mountain, encountering various members of a misfit group of rabbits called the BBs along the way.

Having spent 15 years writing anime scripts, including notable series like Fate/Zero and Psycho-Pass, transitioning to creating a video game was undoubtedly no small challenge. Game Rant recently spoke with Gen Urobuchi, the mind behind Rusty Rabbit, who shared insights on the game’s inception, early development stages, and aspects of its narrative and 2.5D action platformer mechanics. (Some parts of this interview have been trimmed for succinctness and clarity.)

Shifting to Rusty Rabbit Required a Fresh Start

Question: With its rich background in creating visual novel games, how might Nitroplus integrate this expertise into the narrative and character interactions within Rusty Rabbit’s storyline?

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for storytelling, it’s been over 15 years since I dabbled in visual novel creation, mainly focusing on scriptwriting for anime during that period. This time around, however, I found myself back at square one, revisiting the fundamentals and learning anew through trial and error – almost as if I were a novice starting from scratch in my favorite gaming world.

Is it possible that some of the diverse personalities found within the BB group in Rusty Rabbit may have been influenced by characters you’ve created in past endeavors?

I came up with the BB characters on the fly as they weren’t included in the initial plan but were introduced during the development process to clarify stage operations. Since my supervision schedule was tightly packed, I had to quickly rewrite their entire backstory, which inevitably led to them taking on more humorous personas.

Question: The game Rusty Rabbit has an area called Brass Village inhabited by characters like a diner waitress, a shop owner of parts, and a priest. Is this village a kind of central location, and if yes, why did you think it was necessary to incorporate a central hub in Rusty Rabbit?

Initially, my prototype consisted of just a parts store. However, as we progressed towards mass production, it became necessary to greatly increase the game’s size. This is when we incorporated the village, serving as a central location for additional features.

Rusty Rabbit Began as a Passion Project

How did the idea for the unique setting of Smokestack Mountain, the backstory of the main character Stamp, and the world of Rusty Rabbit as a whole come about during the creative process?

Initially, this work started as a personal endeavor – a side project I was creating using Unity as a way to practice game development. As a habitual writer, I incorporated a narrative and world elements, which reflect my own thoughts and ideas. This sets it apart from other projects that are intended for immediate release.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the immersive and dynamic world of 2.5D sidescroller games. The blend of stunning 3D elements with side-scrolling gameplay has always struck a chord with me, offering an engaging and visually appealing experience.

After delving deep into the realm of visual novels for quite some time, I felt it was time to explore new creative horizons. The change in direction allowed me to challenge myself, learn new skills, and bring something fresh and exciting to the gaming community.

Earlier on, I shared that the whole journey kicked off as a self-imposed test—an attempt to create a platform action game using Unity. Initially, it was just a pastime activity for me.

A: Could you explain some notable distinctions between the various stages in this game, such as the factory and the plant biome, considering both their visual characteristics and the unique environmental gameplay elements they present?

Initially, the basic design of the game was straightforward, but to make it more complex, the developer Chime suggested several stage tricks that introduced strategy for each level. As a result, the final product turned out to be much more engaging and fun than anticipated, and I’m really satisfied with how it turned out.

Rusty Rabbit’s Story Commits to Stamp and Junkster

A: Does Rusty Rabbit’s gameplay involve multiple mechs that players can choose from, or is it limited to upgrading Stamp’s Junkster mech? In case it’s the latter, what was the reason for focusing on a single mech in the game design?

In essence, this game isn’t just about Stamp; it’s equally about Junkster. Throughout the game, Junkster stands as Stamp’s loyal partner. As you journey through the game, I trust you’ll uncover the significance behind their unique connection.

Question: In crafting the boss battles for Rusty Rabbit, how did I ensure they were distinct from one another? Is there a particular fight that stands out as my favorite?

Or more informally,

I made sure to mix things up when designing the boss fights in Rusty Rabbit. Any favorites among them?

Our supervisors possess an unusual allure – they can be both frightening and endearing. Their actions often coincide with stage tricks, creating a unique blend of strategy and amusement for players. On a personal note, I’m quite fond of the octopus character.

As I was following the progress of Rusty Rabbit’s development, I noticed there were some significant hurdles and setbacks along the way. One major hiccup that comes to mind was when the team had to rework the game’s physics engine due to an unforeseen bug. It was a learning experience for all, teaching us the importance of thorough testing before implementation. Another roadblock occurred during the final stages of development, where we encountered some technical difficulties with the game’s AI. However, through perseverance and collaboration, the team managed to overcome these challenges and create an even better game as a result.

During the development process, there were instances where misunderstandings within our newly established team resulted in significant delays and adjustments. This experience underscored for me the significance of consistently ensuring that my ideas and intentions are clearly communicated.

A: Are you inclined to create additional 2.5D action side-scrollers similar to Rusty Rabbit in the future, or do you plan on returning to visual novel development? Or maybe you’ll combine these two styles?

As a passionate gamer, I’ve discovered that the process of crafting games involves a unique brand of trial and error unlike anything I’ve encountered with novels or anime. The deeper I delve into this world, the more captivated I become by its endless possibilities. I strongly believe there lies immense potential for creative expression beyond the confines of traditional formats, and I can’t wait to tackle fresh challenges in game development.

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2025-04-17 20:48