Build-a-lot is in the running for Best Strategy Game and Best Game of 2007 at the upcoming Zeeby Awards. We chatted with Brian Goble of HipSoft about what makes Build-a-lot special and why it deserves to get your vote.
Build-a-lot is in the running for Best Strategy Game and Best Game of 2007 at the upcoming Zeeby Awards. We chatted with Brian Goble of HipSoft about what makes Build-a-lot special and why it deserves to get your vote.
Can you give us insights or fun facts about the development of this game?
Build-a-lot introduced some new concepts within the casual space and, during development, we were very nervous that people would get totally confused in terms of how to play and what to do. We must have re-done the tutorial levels at least a dozen times trying to get them perfect.
What makes Build-a-lot special, and why should people vote for it?
Do you know the fastest way to make a million dollars in real estate? Start with two million! Build-a-lot is a fun way to try to tackle the housing market without going broke or cleaning up after a plumbing disaster in a rental house. I think the best thing about the game is that you aren’t forced to play using any specific strategy – you get to form your own tactics and develop your own "Build-a-lot" style of play.
Besides your own game of course, what other games impressed you in 2007?
I really enjoyed The Scruffs – the voice acting was top notch and really added a lot to the game. I also played Fairway Solitaire a bunch… and I’m not even a golfer!
If you win a Zeeby, how do you plan to celebrate (aside for going to Disneyworld, of course)?
Celebrate? We’re too busy working on our next game! (But, I really am taking my family to Disneyland in December 🙂
Any final words for your fans?
Thanks for playing Build-a-lot and sharing your strategies with us. We’re honored that Build-a-lot has been nominated for a Zeeby. One thing we love about the game is that the number of strategies to use are almost endless. We’ve learned a lot of great tricks just from watching other people play… things we had never even thought to try!
Voting for the Zeebys runs from now until July 5. Click here to vote for you favorite casual games of 2007.
