Davide Soliani, the visionary behind the acclaimed games Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope, departed from Ubisoft last year to establish his own indie studio, Day 4 Night. He is joined by Christian Cantamessa, known for his work on Red Dead Redemption, and acclaimed composer Grant Kirkhope, as reported in various industry outlets.
Reflections on His Time with Nintendo
In a recent interview with VGC, Soliani shared his thoughts about his new studio’s original project, his departure from Ubisoft, and the “fantastic” collaboration he experienced while working with Nintendo. He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with Nintendo again, which he considers a potential opportunity.
The Impact of Collaborating with Nintendo
Soliani characterized his 11-year partnership with Nintendo as the most pivotal period of his 26-year career. He described his experiences as “absolutely fantastic,” emphasizing both the emotional significance and the invaluable lessons learned during this collaboration.
When asked about future collaborations, Soliani expressed enthusiasm, indicating that he and his team would be receptive if Nintendo were to reach out to them again.
Thoughts on the Switch 2 and Industry Challenges
Soliani also shared his impressions of the upcoming Switch 2, stating that he is “loving” its design. However, he voiced concern over the pre-release leaks that overshadowed the reveal, stating such rumors diminish the element of surprise for fans.
Despite Ubisoft’s disappointment regarding the financial performance of Sparks of Hope, which has seen a positive critical response, Soliani has left the company without harboring any resentment. He continues to wish Ubisoft well amid its current challenges, including a wave of layoffs affecting 185 employees.
Future Endeavors
The conversation with VGC delved into various topics, including the differences between developing Sparks of Hope and Kingdom Battle, his views on artificial intelligence in gaming, and a brief update on the original intellectual property his studio is working on, which Cantamessa assures will evolve in both scope and content.