Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Developer Interview

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk releases today, and a couple of days ago we got to speak with the game's director Dion Koster about how the game came to be, where it stands compared to similar titles and what players can expect.
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[@dropkickpherby6994]

Between this and BG3, I hope more games come out that stem from passion and not corporate quarterly demands.

[@truespeedsonic78]

Armored core is another one that’s looking like a true passion project. Fromsoftware going back to their roots

[@Pikastation28]

@@truespeedsonic78true and the fact that we have those three games on august is fantastic.

[@aegisreflector1239]

What's BG3

[@Brain-Wormed]

​@@aegisreflector1239baldurs gate 3

[@SirStrugglesAlot]

@@aegisreflector1239 Baldur's Gate 3

[@SecondCitySavior6969]

TeamReptile are some of the most GOATed developers right now

[@CODrocks19999]

I'm really grateful for hadeki staying active in the osts of similar games to JSR because his music is a major factor that makes this world so nostalgic and amazing

[@0xQuez]

"I'd rather break that cycle and say 'no, this game should be the game that makes you stop playing games." So real! I'm over here getting inspired to learn how to breakdance. This game has been SO MUCH FUN. A massive congratulations to Team Reptile.

[@thehatter9400]

I hope they let us make our own custom tags in the future. Though there are a LOT of tags you can use with the new style of tagging, you don't equip, you just collect

[@hendrxx_]

I saw a post on the steam guides that showed you how to add custom tags. Probably just edits some game files. Would be cool for it to be built in tho for sure

[@SolidSnake240]

That was one of my favorite parts about Jet Set Radio Future

[@Rose-yu9nn]

If they added that, think of how many NSFW sprays and bad rep the game would get lol

[@RedFormanOG]

This is an amazing game so far, the controls are actually more responsive and fluid than the og jsr itself. Amazing work

[@spiritandtimeakalilroachie7014]

It would be a great upset if it didn't have better controls.

[@hawkrivers-garrett9315]

Yeah, that is a low bar.

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@hawkrivers-garrett9315Not necessarily. Jet Set Radio was technically a "AAA" game when it came out. This is a low budget indie game. Also, controls/ movement can be deceptively tricky. THPS5 is a perfect example of that.

[@hawkrivers-garrett9315]

@@alibabaschultz352 Lots of AAA games have crappy controls. I don't think that's related at all. My comment is in reference to how poorly JSRF (I never played JSR) controlled.

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@hawkrivers-garrett9315 I think you missed all of my points. The first is that higher budgets tend to yield better results, from a technical perspective. The second, is that that fluid controls in games involving extreme sports tend to be very difficult to get right. Hence why there arent many of them that are very good.

[@CellphonePrince.]

As someone who grew up on various cultures of anime, fashion and music and started graffitiing by just bringing a can wherever i went it really becomes a rabbit hole of seeing how much u can get away with without getting caught and I’m really happy he’s paid a lot of attention to the thrill aspects and how to portray it meanwhile this game to me is a homage to the creative culture of the streets from hip hop to b boying to the streetwear I’ve never related more to a idea

[@HavenJaede]

Well said... Might have to go pick up a can.

[@rocketpunchgo1]

BombRush does what Sega won't.

[@onthedre]

I feel like this isn't better than JSRF but it's on par with JSR. The sequel that Sega is making will be the best I feel.

[@TheGrifhinx]

​@@onthedreat this rate that a spiritual successor exists, it now remains to be seen

[@rocketpunchgo1]

@@onthedre Indeed. Well said.

[@Pendoodlex]

It's not JSRF level

[@rocketpunchgo1]

@@Pendoodlex I believe it was made by just one man, so... it's close enough to JSRF level!

[@hotelmario99]

and the OST!!! not copyright claims on any of the tracks, big ups to reptile ❤

[@lordslive4948]

This game is dripping from 90's sauce ,love it

[@ouuwee2154]

It took me 15 hours to complete the main story and I was doing side quests etc, I still have more side quest to do but I can tell you this game is just perfect

[@Maseo.]

Right, just completed it today and was really impressed by the story, but the ost... God the ost has me floating

[@DatBoiAntix]

I streamed it for 7 hours straight and I think I'm at 90% done. I wish I started earlier so I could've finished it in one go!

[@Maseo.]

@@DatBoiAntix nice, I think I only got 2 characters to go then gonna finish up those achievements in stream it'll b my first game on steam I've actually got so trophies for, it's such a good game!!!!

[@alank1220]

Dion - you and the team nailed it. I have been really loving it. Such a trip down memory lane.

[@jonathanpowell2721]

Great interview! I like that we get to hear about the ethos of behind the game rather than an exclusive focus on the game itself? Also interesting to compare the footage of the game in the interview vs. the final product. You can see some small details that changed for the final product

[@kleox5452]

Hopefully they add a multiplayer update in the future cuz ayo it'll bring alot more people and keep the game alive

[@SamPLayss]

that'll be so fire!

[@DAN-fg9nd]

He says that he would like all the players to leave the game after completing it and go outside, studying the culture of the game on their own. Because of this, they probably won't do it online.

[@kleox5452]

@@DAN-fg9nd understand that but still after people is still done with that im pretty sure it would be nice to have friends also join in the experience to play this game with another even the old games had couch play at least some type of multiplayer...the cop system would be much funner with a friend and I like he's not feeding into the crunch of letting people be addicted to the games its smart but Long-term I believe multi-player would still bring in revenue and have the game life on the market still be relevant

[@tomii9840]

I mean it's a single player experience. Once you're done you just move on lol

[@hm-hz7gn]

the game director wants people to touch grass, so prob not

[@QBG]

I can describe Bomb Rush Cyberfunk in _one_ sentence: "It's literally Jet Set Radio, but with much better controls, bigger levels you can explore at your leisure, and a Tony Hawk-esque trick/combo system to spice things up a bit."

[@alanalso]

Really loving this game. This is a great interview that makes me want to continue to support this team. Looking forward to the future!

[@mintmag8748]

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen

[@boricuadevida1212]

They literally helped me relive my teenage years and cranked it up to 100 thank you!

[@wc3101]

I have heard people were not a fan of the combat system, however from hearing the whole not an activist, attacking what is believed to be the enemy conversation, I respect the element of combat via freestyle and tricks, not directed assault.

[@YacDiesel]

Thank you for making this amazing piece of art!

[@FryCanon]

I cant wait to play this! I watched the opening hour and everything was phenomenal

[@TheAnxiousOwl]

Only had one small bug where in Pyramid Island, going under the whole map in that one area with metal platforms, I fell in the water but it looped me falling on the edge. This reminded me of JSRF's looped death bug but then I remembered that you have live service updates and hotfixes available. Games have really come a long way in development cycle and servicing. This game is also definitely Jet set radio future vibes. The only thing I gotta problem with is theres only two songs in a mix and they play back to back so sometimes I just put on the playlist on youtube that plays everything.

[@TundeEszlari]

Amazing video.

[@unrealcypher]

I notice that the creator/founder doesn't want to mention Jet Set Radio... as if this game doesn't exist because of jsr..

[@methos4866]

I think that's because he doesn't want to limit it to just being considered a JSR clone. In that sense i get why he refrains from mentioning it. I also wouldn't be surprised if they just don't wanna step on Sega's toes here. If the game does well enough i hope Sega finally does something with JSR.

[@Tainuo]

That Ippei Gyoubu namedrop was so unexpected! I somehow have even more respect for such a dope dev team & game. Keep doing what you love, Team Reptile! BRC is a modern classic.

[@garethbeaton8414]

Got to get it today 🎉

[@alexbrown4040]

This was a interesting interview

[@thenextlevel123]

Incredible job.

[@matthewclaflin6568]

Why are they talking about this game as if it’s not jsr. They say “similar games in the genre”… like pay respect where it’s due, the game is phenomenal because it’s almost a remake of jsrf and improves on everything about it.

[@katsumoto9143]

​@@mindofanintrovert2046it is 90% JSR/F tho. It looks like a legit sequel. Skateboard and bmx plays the same as skates lol

[@landmindssoul4636]

I want an artbook of how this was made and bts. This is so good.

[@Terpz69]

Why tf does the xp and boost meter look cooler in this than the actual game?

[@aohige]

will the game let me mod in our own BGM to add and use? because I want to understand the concept of love while playing this game.

[@mqtt0]

there are already people working on mods, rn we can mod textures, but someone is also making progress on adding custom music

[@MrPresttoSauce]

you can mute the soundtrack and play whatever music you want through youtube/spotify

[@brebrobro]

The only thing that comes to mind for me, is that I'd like to be able to browse the flip phone for tags after interacting with a spot, as my memory is bad asf and if you have your phone open before going to tag a wall, it becomes unresponsive. Other than that, BOMB RUSH CYBERFUUUUUUUUUUUUNK!!!

[@astreakaito5625]

Bravo! It's an incredible games!!!!!!!!

[@terencecaron2922]

nice of the dev to talk to one of the participants of Hoarders.

[@astr0sauce]

lmaoo

[@MafiaPyro]

Lol, I like how I haven't heard JSRF or JSR/JGR directly quoted 😅 "games of this nature" 🤣🤣🤣

[@amysel]

Its because its clearly inspired by more than just that one game, the tricking system is more similar to tony hawk for example while JSR is more of a platformer Its kinda like how everyone was comparing SMT5 to Persona, its a bit reductive. But yeah the game is definitely much more inspired than they're admitting, though I assume the rest of the dev team was probably more inspired by it than Dion

[@StiffAftermath]

Physical switch version? Gosh I hope so!

[@katsumoto9143]

The devs should give credit where it's due and mention JSR/F inspiration (copy?). The game is goated tho

[@jerm5466]

He did?

[@2samarie2]

9:20 this guy is angel u never hear this from developers anymore

[@cory.m]

What's the music copyright situation, is it fine for channels to have let's plays of this without issues?

[@vwnt]

100% no issues. Team Reptile confirmed this on twitter

[@cory.m]

@@vwnt Sick, looking forward to those who do play this.

[@ians_parks]

It's supposed to be fine but someone going by "RepostNetwork" has been falsely claiming videos using some of the music, and the devs are trying to sort the situation. Obviously for content creators but for the artists as well who are probably gonna get a ton of undeserved hate for the claims.

[@selfishisaiah610]

Best game to come out in a long time i just wish there was multiplayer on consoles

[@marcchgirl26]

It’s official I have the hugest crush on DION!! 😭💕💕💕💕

[@suspiciousspaghetti8579]

He says he wants us to step away and go out instead of playing games, yet this might be the most addictive game ever lmao

[@YotesMark]

Cool Dev. This guy gets it.

[@GIDAEONGULLY]

Pilgrim hat old head 11/10

[@dwaynegibson6773]

Please Add Back Soap Shoes😞 was looking forward to that the most.

[@ians_parks]

The director said soap shoes are dumb so I don't see that happening (makes you wonder why it was originally planned). Give modders time and they'll add soaps back in.

[@SimonM7TV]

This was so incredibly weird to listen to, because both of them are talking as if this isn't Jet Set Radio. :O Unlike Tony Hawk you can't bail.... yeah, like JSR. The cops are more like a nuisance... yeah, like JSR. You don't attack enemies, you spray paint them... yeah, like JSR. The aesthetic is futuristic and retro... yeah, like JSR. It's celebrating graffiti and dance culture... yeah, like JSR. Every camera angle and cut, piece of UI, animation. They cut to JSRF footage in this and if it wasn't lower res, people who haven't seen JSRF prolly wouldn't be able to tell. The amount of stuff played up like they thought of it for this game is *wild*. I mean I'm stoked for this, have been following it for ages and I'm super excited to play it. But this interview was completely surreal. Like the movie with the guy waking up in the world without Beatles.

[@aftdawn]

That's because it isn't JSR, it's JSR inspired it's not made by sega, it's not JSR

[@SimonM7TV]

@@aftdawn I think it's wilfully obtuse to imply I'm saying it's an official JSR made by Sega. I don't think he mentions even once during his outlining every mechanic taken from JSR (literally every single one that appears in this video) that it comes straight from JSR. Instead it's vaguely couched in "oh I wanted conflict but no weapons so instead you spray the enemies with paint, and I wanted the police to sorta bug you so they just chase you around" - yes that's all from JSR! I guess it's a short interview if they just say "yeah it was like that in JSR so it's like that in this game too." I find it weird at best and seems disingenuous at worst. I was thinking maybe they're trying to avoid being sued or something, but who the heck am I kidding :D If Sega wants to sue over plagiarism this is already the most open goal you can find. Again, super excited for the game, but skirting around it being JSR (NOT LITERALLY) this much is *bizarre*.

[@s1ve089]

​@@SimonM7TVmaybe they don't wanna get sniped by sega or something that's why their beating around a 100km diameter bush lol Weird for sure, even then that's the only reason I could think of why their doing the interview like this

[@JohnDoe-nd6xi]

If you were making a spiritual successor to a game whose license you do not have the rights to, and whose rights are owned by SEGA of all people, you would NEVER mention that any of it was inspired by said game. Reptile is not nearly as large as SEGA and even if they were they wouldn't DARE risk an interview being used as evidence of copyright infringement.

[@SimonM7TV]

​@@JohnDoe-nd6xiI'm not a lawyer, but surely if you want to sue someone for something this near-identical, you don't have to wait for them to admit they nicked everything from you? You just run the trailer for this and JSR next to one another? I would say Sega are exceptionally lenient. There's "SAGE", the Sonic fan game expo which beyond oodles of explicit Sonic games has spawned plenty of commercial games like Spark The Electric Jester and Freedom Planet. Sure those aren't this crazy obvious, but certainly close enough that if Sega had an itchy finger with this stuff they could be busy going after people. But sure, I guess it's possible that the coyness here is because of the legalities of it anyway. Sure makes for an odd interview though. :)

[@jessysurya94]

AGGRESSIVE INLINE SKATE!

[@RusPitman]

🎉

[@K_8T]

having just watched this....I only just realised how many minor changes there were to DJ Cyber....all minor designs but still

[@xmyfavoritewordsx]

best game of 2023

[@Treataod]

Goty

[@wideface344]

5:16

[@darrinschwieters]

shaping up to be an expensive fall for gamers!

[@wbbooth]

"It starts out with a little bit of story on how you lost your head and being confronted with it, and deciding... through, uh, having joined a crew that was once friends with the one that lost his head, uh, being then inspired to get that head. (This is blatantly incorrect, the Bomb Rush crew had never met Faux before the intro to the game.) And uh, of course we can all agree that if you have a new head, it doesn't make a lot of sense to find your previous head since you are of course a different person. But to a machine that might be a completely different thing (SPOILER:: This makes even less sense because the new head isn't a machine at all, its another human head INSIDE of a robot shell), and even then um, outside of that logical inconsistency, um you could still be interested in knowing who the person was who your body is from. Like people who , if they're adopted, would like to know who their biological parents are even though it doesnt have, like a, true immediate effect on their life." Complete gibberish. The game's story and its lack of focus on the actual skating, tagging, and crew was it's largest weak point. Not to mention the Robot headed character that is the games mascot remaining playable after the story is concluded creates an unnecessary plot hole. Get this man FAR away from the writers desk for BRC 2.

[@Mitch_Feral]

This game could use a more invested tutorial. Im not great at video games, all said and done, but I have struggled with games that were a lot more fun when I didnt quite have things down, yet. This game is *frustrating*, and while I've heard that the breadth of music expands as you go along, if you're stuck in the first couple stages, the sound quickly becomes repetitive. I put it down for the day, gonna come back to it in a few and see if I feel better, but so far this feels like a tragic miss for my bank account.

[@soulance8342]

May I ask what you're having trouble with?

[@Mitch_Feral]

@@soulance8342 For sure. I'm struggling with the catch point on rails and surfaces, especially when trying to transition up walls to higher sections of an area. The difference between landing a jump and continuing my momentum, and falling and starting over is so murky and difficult to define, I cant figure out what I need to improve. The input - I'm on switch - feels mushy at all times. For awhile I thought I was just doing too much, and not letting the game dictate continuation, so I started trying to play lighter and looser with the controller - no change in effect. Like I said, I'm not great at video games, but I've never ever been *this* bad.

[@soulance8342]

@@Mitch_Feral I understand. It definitely feels more... Floaty? Than I remember with JSRF. In JSRF it felt almost like a magnet would snap me to the rail if I got close enough, but with BRCF it really wants to land on the rail. I found my solution for those situations was to try and make my approaches as parallel as possible, perpendicular was too difficult to me and I'd either over shoot or under shoot every time. I hope this helps you.

[@soulance8342]

@@Mitch_Feral Oh also! Looks like Vash just released a movement and combo guide a few hours ago. Search "vash bomb rush movement guide""

[@Mitch_Feral]

@@soulance8342 I'll give that a shot, thank you for the question and the response. It's clear some folks adore it, and I'd love to join them!

[@ganjaman59650]

Surprised to see PC GAMER not doing garbage for once, last time i read an article from them it was explaining how tomb raider was a white colonialist game, cause you know, she save treasures that vanished civilisations(often evil ones in the games) have left beind and are uncared for since centuries...and they call that journalism. Definitly watching only for the teamreptile dev.

[@wbbooth]

"I expressed my expression. What people think of it is not my business" That's a really terrible attitude for a game director to have. The story of this game is as meandering and banal as this interview. "This game should be the game that makes you stop playing games" Give me a break. Great game but it has tons of room for improvement. Fan mods have added custom music tracks, and multiplayer, things that should have already been there and obviously weren't too difficult to implement. You will beat this game in 2-3 days then wish there was more to it. Definitely worth playing, but overpraising it will only make sure it never rises to it's full potential.

[@silent_jav]

I like the guy lol even the achievement you get after beating the game says "now go outside" which is a great message for people like myself who spends too much time inside gaming. Other developers want to keep us inside as long as they can by adding online login bonuses etc..

[@gilah718]

Amazing