Tetsuya Mizuguchi: I agree that the XBLA platform is the perfect venue for a game like Rez HD. Rez is a fairly simple, casual game, but was seen as a complicated, hard to understand game when it was released on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 back in 2001/02. If only we had a way to provide a trial opportunity then, I think it could’ve done better. Not everyone was ready to take that risk of paying $40 for a game that they didn’t fully understand. What’s great about the XBLA platform is that you can try the game first before purchasing it and we can offer the game at a lower price point than a game sold at retail. Digital distribution has opened up a lot of opportunities for games like Rez and the chances of it being played by both fans and first-timers.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Aside from the game being recreated for hi-definition and digital surround sound, the game remains unchanged – all of the modes, areas, levels, music from the original are included. When I created the original Rez, we went through a lot of trials and errors to showcase the audio-visual-vibration experience and that was the best we could do at that time. With Rez HD, I feel as if I’ve been given the opportunity to work out those unsolved areas and present the game that I had envisioned since day one – to me, this is the ‘complete’ version of Rez.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: First, I’ll have to see what kind of response we get from the XBLA audience! Whether or not it be a “REZ 2” or “sequel to REZ”, I just know that the core concept of creating a synesthetic experience through interactive entertainment or in other forms of art will continue to be my role and mission.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Rez HD is a single player game, so there will be no multi-player/versus/co-op modes in the game. Rankings will be displayed through the Score Attack Mode and you will be able to view the plays of those who are ranked in the top 20 using Replay Theater.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: All of the elements in the original Rez including the music have been carried over to Rez HD. The tracks have been remixed and remastered in 5.1.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: The XBLA platform is the perfect venue for a game like Rez HD. Rez is a fairly simple, casual game, but was seen as a complicated, hard to understand game when it was released on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 back in 2001/02. If only we had a way to provide a trial opportunity then, I think it could’ve done better. Not everyone was ready to take that risk of paying $40 for a game that they didn’t fully understand. What’s great about the XBLA platform is that you can try the game first before purchasing it and we can offer the game at a lower price point than a game sold at retail. Digital distribution has opened up a lot of opportunities for games like Rez and the chances of it being played by both fans and first-timers. Also, with the popularity of music and rhythm-based games over the last few years, I’m hopeful that more people will want to try a game like Rez HD.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: There were many things that inspired me to create Rez, one of which is a famous 20th century painter Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky’s paintings were heavily influenced by music – the power of expression it gave to one’s body (stimulation) and freedom of imagination (visuals) it offers. I wanted to create a game that was true to the concept of synaesthesia, or the stimulation of the senses, using sounds, visual effects and vibration.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: While I cannot comment on our current and future projects, the 360 is a very attractive platform and we hope to bring more quality titles that offer a rich, entertaining experience to the gamers.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Rez HD is a single player game, so there will be no multi-player/versus/co-op modes in the game. Individual rankings will be displayed through the Score Attack Mode and you will be able to view the plays of those who are ranked in the top 20 using Replay Theater.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Aside from the game being recreated for hi-definition and digital surround sound, the game remains unchanged – all of the modes, areas, levels, music from the original are included. When I created the original Rez, we went through a lot of trials and errors to showcase the audio-visual-vibration experience and that was the best we could do at that time. With Rez HD, I feel as if I’ve been given the opportunity to work out those unsolved areas and present the game that I had envisioned since day one – to me, this is the ‘complete’ version of Rez.

There are a few things we added to Rez HD to enhance the gameplay experience – you can hook up the other controllers and get the trance vibration signal that is different than the one sent to the player controller; we also included some new sound and visual effects (cave, forest, concert hall for sound and sepia, tile, blur for visuals) that offers a customized Rez experience.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Considering this is a complete recreation of an older title (textures recreated, music remastered) that provides a richer gameplay experience, 800 MSP is not too expensive for Rez HD. We’ve seen many other titles released at the same price and Rez HD offers equal, if not, more value for the price.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: The XBLA platform is very attractive to us and we hope to bring more exciting, quality titles to the XBLA audience.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: No, it does not support the LIVE Vision Camera.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: Aside from the game being recreated for hi-definition and digital surround sound, the game remains unchanged – all of the modes, areas, levels, music from the original are included. When I created the original Rez, we went through a lot of trials and errors to showcase the audio-visual-vibration experience and that was the best we could do at that time. With Rez HD, I feel as if I’ve been given the opportunity to work out those unsolved areas and present the game that I had envisioned since day one – to me, this is the ‘complete’ version of Rez.

There are a few things we added to Rez HD to enhance the gameplay experience – you can hook up the other controllers and get the trance vibration signal that is different than the one sent to the player controller; we also included some new sound and visual effects (cave, forest, concert hall for sound and sepia, tile, blur for visuals) that offers a customized Rez experience.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: While I cannot comment on our current and future projects, the 360 is a very attractive platform and we hope to bring more quality titles that offer a rich, entertaining experience to the gamers.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: The thought behind the trance vibrator was to provide vibration/stimulation to the player in addition to the visual and sounds effects that were seen and heard while playing the game. We believe that the peripheral enhanced the overall gameplay experience, leading to a form a synaesthesia, or the stimulation of the senses.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: It wasn’t as difficult as one may think – the management at Sega understood my desire to recreate Rez in its ‘new’ and ‘complete’ form. I am very thankful for this opportunity and hope that both fans and newcomers to Rez will enjoy the game.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: I think those games are exciting and it’s great to see them succeed. We’ve always had music/rhythm-based games here and there, but these two have taken interactive entertainment to a whole new level by offering co-op play, downloadable content and the opportunity for everyone to become a rock star!

Tetsuya Mizuguchi: We do not have any plans for additional downloadable content for Rez HD. This, to me, is the ‘complete’ version of Rez and I hope that gamers will enjoy the game as much as I do. Although Rez is a simple game, I believe it offers high replay value and you’ll most likely discover something new every time you play it.