If you were a sports gamer in the 90's, chances are that you're familiar with Mutant League Football. Released by EA in 1993, the game was a modified version of Madden that featured a variety of mutants and monsters in a post-apocalyptic setting.
A number of spinoff games were released, but the original game was never followed up with a sequel. Fans could get what they've been hoping for with a new project from the original game's designer, Michael Mendheim. In our latest Q&A feature, he talks with us about his new project, Mutant Football League:
Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Many 90's gamers have fond memories of Mutant League Football and I'm excited to hear about your new project. The first question I think many of our readers will have is: Why now? Can you tell me about your work to revive this franchise?
Michael Mendheim: This isn’t a relaunch, it’s is a brand new game, driven by the same creator and designer (me) and a bunch of new and shining talent like, art legend Dave Devries and SpongeBob Squarepants writer & director, Jay Lender. The talent for this project is quite impressive and I’m sure these guys are going to help take this concept to fantastic new heights. We’re going to deliver a fresh new take on everything from the game view to play calling, weapons, characters and humor. Certainly this game is going to pay righteous homage to the original classic, Mutant League Football --- but this is a brand new mutant baby.
The reason we’re doing it now is because enough fans have finally broken my balls about doing a Kickstarter Campaign. Honestly, I’d given up trying to get this game made but after enough prodding, I realized it’s the 20th Anniversary of the original game and what do I have to lose? The timing just feels right to me. So, here we go. We launch on Monday, September 16th. Now it’s up to the gamers, if they really want the game, they will help back it and if we can raise enough money to hit our goal, I’ll give back absolutely everything I have (and I do mean everything) to make the best damn sci-fi sports game they’ve ever played.
My understanding is that EA owned the rights. Were you able to finally acquire them from EA or is this a completely separate venture?
Michael Mendheim: The Mutant League Trademark was abandoned by EA over a decade ago and it’s listed as “dead” by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Believe me, we would’ve loved to have been able to work out a deal with EA. That company has great talent, technology and the best football engine in the galaxy; unfortunately, they are focused on other projects right now so I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.
A number of successful developers have hit it big with Kickstarter campaigns and you're going the same route. Is this something that you've pitched to some of the bigger publishers or do you want to remain completely independent with this?
Michael Mendheim: I’ve tried to get other publishers interested in this concept for over a decade. No one wants to make an awesome, hyper-violent football game played by wise-cracking mutants and monsters, with cheap shots, weapons, explosions, gore, blood, decapitations and big, big LAUGHS. Seriously, we’re looking forward to having full creative control over our own original game now. We’ll be able to do things we couldn’t if we were developing this for a major publisher.
How much are you trying to raise through Kickstarter and what are some of the benefits you're offering to supporters?
Michael Mendheim: The final number will be somewhere between 600-800k. Some of the cool rewards include: special in-game attack moves, unique dirty trick plays, a Football Helmet desk caddy, a customized “MF” League football, a cool hoodie and even an in-game fart animation. One of the higher end rewards puts you in the game as a character of your choice (you can choose to be a player, ref, coach or owner).
Is any of the actual game done at this point or will development begin after the Kickstarter is successful?
Michael Mendheim: We have a base design doc completed that been through a technical design review. The backers of the game will help us design the product. Also, as our campaign progresses there will be a few surprises along the way concerning how this game is going to be developed. Stay tuned.
How would you describe the look or feel of this game? Is it more of a retro-style game or are you going for a modern graphics look?
Michael Mendheim: It’s going to be a little of both. The art direction is NOT going to be hyper realistic and gritty – the art style needs to have some cartoon sensibilities to allow us to really exaggerate the hits and off-set the violence. We want gamers to laugh at the hits and the destruction, not be shocked. That being said, the characters will have some realism and edge. Obviously the visual effects need to be competitive as well. We have Dave Devries and Robomodo Studios helping us with the look and feel of the game. It’s going to be cool.
With so many people playing on phones and consoles, what platforms would you like to release the game on?
Michael Mendheim: We will be building for iOS, Android and Xbox. We will extend the platforms based on funding.
I've been told that you have a number of talented artists working with you. Can you tell our readers about some of the people who are working with you on this project?
Michael Mendheim: Absolutely, I couldn’t ask for a better creative team and I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by such incredible talent. Here is the team we’ve assembled. There’s more of course but we will reveal them as we hit our funding goals:
Dave Devries: Creator of The Monster Engine http://www.themonsterengine.com/ a popular children’s art book, lecture, demonstration and gallery exhibition that explores the premise of what a child’s drawing would look like if it were painted realistically. Dave will be helping us define the look and feel of the game and characters.
Dave Elliott: Comic writing legend Dave Elliott will be helping us create the Mutant Football League universe for both the game and comics. Dave has more than 25 years of experience working in every aspect of the comic book industry and created Sharky and Maximum Force and has worked on: A1, Deadline, Viz Comic and Heavy Metal magazine. http://deevelliott.deviantart.com/
Jay Lender: Jay has worked in films, comics, videogames and television. He wrote, storyboarded and directed on the original run of SpongeBob Squarepants and did the same for Disney's Phineas & Ferb. Jay will be helping drive story, character and game design and keep things funny and outrageous.
http://www.jaylender.com/JayLender.com/Welcome.html
Micah Wright: Micah Wright is a writer who has worked in videogames, film, television, animation, graphic novels & comics. He has also released three books of political commentary & graphics. Micah will be helping drive story, character and game design. http://micahwright.com/
Robomodo: Studios: An independent video game development studio located in Chicago and focused on toptier products with innovative twists. The studio is led by Joshua Tsui and David Lee Michicich who have worked on such industry classics as: Tony Hawk Series, Fight Night Round 3, NBA Street and the Mortal Kombat series. Robomodo will be helping with art direction and production for Mutant Football League. http://www.robomodo.com/
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
Michael Mendheim: We need to be very careful and not get overly ambitious and try to do too much. The most important thing to get right is to build a really good playing football game that is fun and addictive, make sure it has great visual effects and finally, give our characters loads of personality. If we can do that, we’ll be golden!
If anyone wants to see this game happen please back us and get the word out. Our Kickstarter Campaign launches on Monday, September 16th. If you want more information you can check out: www.mutantfootballleague.com or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MutantFootballLeague
---------
"An all-star team of talent has been assembled to breathe new life into one of the video game industry's most beloved, and downright brutal, sports-hybrid genres. Michael Mendheim, the original creator and lead designer of Mutant League, is initiating a Kickstarter effort for a new video game entitled Mutant Football League. With fan support, and a successful Kickstarter campaign, Mendheim is planning to release his Mutant Football League game on Xbox LIVE, as well as on iOS and Android tablets.
The original Mutant League video game was released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis. The combination of monsters, mayhem, and good ol' American team sports turned the game into a cult classic.
"It's the 20th anniversary of the original game, so this is an ideal time to release a new over-the-top football game featuring monsters and mutants for the many fans who have been clamoring for it," stated Mendheim. "The fans have kept their interest in this genre alive over the years and we want to reward them for their loyalty. We will be creating a new and very different game that pays homage to classic monster sports games and parodies the owners, the coaches, the sponsors and everything else that makes football such a great American sport.""
Daily Dead's Official Podcast! Daily Dead's Official Podcast!
