Innovation can be hard to come by in the world of sports video games. Enter Play by Play Studios, a new development team with a fresh take on basketball gaming. Their debut title, The Run: Got Next, promises to blend the gritty authenticity of street hoops with the addictive progression of roguelike games. We sat down with the team to dive deep into their vision, development process, and challenges in bringing this unique concept to life.
A New Vision for Sports Gaming
At the heart of Play by Play Studios is a passion for both sports and gaming. Founder and CEO Scott Probst explains the studio’s founding philosophy:
“Our aim with Play by Play has been to take our combined passion for sports and games and bring them together in new & exciting ways. On a personal level, both sports and games have built similar things for me in my life – opportunities to connect with people, to build friendships, to compete, to enjoy our time together, to get better, and most importantly – to have fun. That’s really been the foundation of The Run for us – let’s bring players together in the name of fun, bend the rules a bit, and ultimately create everlasting memories for our players within the games and experiences we create.”
This vision of connection and fun permeates every aspect of The Run: Got Next, from its fast-paced gameplay to its unique character roster.
Blending Genres: Basketball Meets Roguelike
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Run: Got Next is its fusion of basketball action with roguelike progression. Creative Director Mike Young shed light on this innovative approach:
“First, the team takes inspiration from other games and genres that we play and love. In my last role, I was helping on a new Roguelike game and immersed myself in games like Hades. When I came to Play By Play, our lead designer, Ryan Murphy, was also into roguelike games. Early in development, we were playing games like Balatro and Cult of the Lamb and came across Tape to Tape. Those were the games that we were most inspired by. The big difference is that we are trying to do it in a multiplayer game.”
Young went on to explain how this structure mirrors traditional sports seasons:
“Secondly, the structure of a Roguelike mirrors a traditional sports season. You play and improve throughout the season, gaining valuable experience and trying to enhance your chances along the way with roster moves and other money-making endeavors. Then, after the season, you reload and try to address your shortcomings. Your players train to get faster and stronger and look to add new dimensions to their game; you sign new players and may get new endorsements and sponsors.”
This innovative approach promises to add layers of strategy and replayability to the traditional basketball game formula.
Crafting Unique Characters
Creating a diverse and balanced roster of street ballers is no small feat. Young detailed their approach:
“The first thing we ask: What is the player’s role? Who’s going to be our best shooter? Who is our dunker, blocker, etc? We also want our characters to have weaknesses. Collaboration and roster construction need to be important. Then we look at what holes are in our roster. Is there a Hot Sauce? A Cheryl Miller? Would it be fun to play with a defensive only player like a Dennis Rodman?”
The team’s commitment to diversity and authenticity is clear, as Young explains:
“The thing we like about Street Ball is that you can have a much more diverse lineup of characters that thrive in pickup ball. Players with unique bodies, like Escalade, were a huge inspiration. Smaller players like The Professor. Players of all ages and sizes.”
Capturing Global Street Hoops Culture
Authenticity is a key focus for Play by Play Studios, especially when representing street basketball culture worldwide. Young detailed their extensive research process:
“We have a wide network of consultants from our days at Electronic Arts and beyond. If we don’t know the right person, we know the person that does. For example, we are in talks now with a really well-known and respected street hoops authority and historian that currently runs international street tournaments.”
The team’s commitment to authenticity extends to every aspect of the game:
“We also believe in tapping into local talent. For instance, with our character that originated in Senegal we had a consultant for the back story and another to help with the native language and accent. In the future, we plan on working directly with local musicians and mural & graffiti artists to create content for the game.”
Probst added the importance of audio in creating an authentic experience:
“The way this game sounds, the music, the voices – it all needs to come together and sound authentic. Street hoops has a particular style, feel and sound – and to Mike’s point we have to get it right across the board. That’s why we’ve been so thoughtful about our approach and really trying to deliver an experience that ultimately feels, plays, and sounds authentic to street hoops.”
A Unique Visual Style
The game’s distinctive look is a result of conscious design choices, as Animation Director Mike Laygo explains:
“For the Artistic Direction, we wanted to have a handcrafted art style with a street and stylized look. The hope is to create a unique and timeless aesthetic that isn’t married to the cutting-edge technology that tends to emulate photorealism.”
This stylized approach extends to the game’s animations:
“Realism in motion wouldn’t match our aesthetic. The stylized characters and hand-keyed animation are able to have a dynamism and effervescence that motion capture lacks. Some motions and poses are physically impossible to do in a mocap suit.”
Overcoming Development Challenges
Creating a new IP is never easy, and The Run: Got Next is no exception. Probst candidly discussed their approach to problem-solving:
“We’re still in development! And we’re facing challenges every day – that’s the name of the game. For us, what it always comes down to (no matter the problem) is the game. We playtest almost every day as a team, and we’re brutally honest with each other. No matter what discussion needs to be had, we have it – to make the game better.”
The Challenge of Balance
One of the biggest challenges in developing The Run: Got Next is balancing its various gameplay elements. Design Lead Ryan Murphy explained the role of strategic modifiers:
“Strategic modifiers basically boost the odds of a successful action. They can come in different forms along with different ways to trigger but at the core the player is trying to gain or increase existing modifier bonuses to give them the best chance for a successful outcome when doing an action like dunking, jump shot, stealing, etc.”
Murphy emphasized the strategic depth these modifiers add:
“Part of the strategy is choosing modifiers that align with player’s chosen character or the player’s gameplay preference but also taking into consideration on how to counter another teams modifier choices. The affect of modifiers on the game will vary based on the type of modifier but as the player progresses through a run they will become stronger and a more capable baller.”
Looking to the Future
While the team is focused on perfecting the core game, they’re also looking ahead to post-launch support. Young shared their aspirations:
“First, we need the game to come out and have success. We plan to release more characters, courts, vanity items, and ideally ways to play. Of course, we will be listening to our players to help us prioritize what we focus on, but our intention is to support this game with Live Service content. Hopefully for years to come.”
As development continues, The Run: Got Next, it’s clear that Play by Play Studios is committed to creating something unique in the sports gaming landscape. By blending the raw energy of street basketball with innovative gameplay mechanics and a deep respect for global hoops culture, they aim to deliver an experience that stands out from the crowd.
While challenges remain, the team’s passion and dedication shine through in every aspect of the game’s design. As we eagerly await more news on The Run: Got Next, one thing is certain: this isn’t just another basketball game. It’s a bold new vision for what sports gaming can be.
Stay tuned to Sports Gamers Online for more updates on The Run: Got Next as development progresses. We’ll be watching this one closely.
