With Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix so close on the horizon, I wanted to ask the producer, Robert Hamiter, a few questions about the game to help gear up for its release. He’s so busy, I literally took a mini cassette recorder back there, interviewed him, and then transcribed the tape, so he could get back to all his producing stuff.

Also, if you have an Xbox 360, be sure to check out the gamer pic pack and the three Dashboard themes that just went live yesterday.

BD) So how’s the game coming along?
RH) Great. We’re trying to wrap things up now, so we’re basically on the home stretch.

BD) What kind of online multiplayer support will the game feature?
RH) Both the PS3 and 360 versions will support 2 to 4 players. Two-player ranked matches, up to 4-player unranked matches, which will be very similar to Street Fighter Hyper Fighting on the 360 where two players play while two others can spectate.

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BD) Is it called Quarter Match this time?
RH) We didn’t coin it Quarter Match in the game, no pun intended. But it basically functions just like Hyper Fighting’s Quarter Match.

BD) Can you talk about the new stuff that fans can look forward to?
RH) Besides the new graphics for the gems, crash effects, menus, character portraits, and whatnot, plus the online multiplayer and re-balanced X’ mode, both Ryu and Ken have new background stages. Ken’s stage is now a beach, with some other Street Fighter characters in the background, and Ryu’s stage is now a cool snowy night scene. The Xbox 360 version also has 12 Achievements for a total of 200 points, standard for Xbox Live Arcade titles.

BD) What’s your favorite thing about the new game?

RH) I think probably the new elemental effects, when the gems break. Partly because I helped design that feature. But I just think the elemental explosions and effects are what really makes it look a step above the previous games.

BD) Who’s the best Puzzle Fighter player in the office?
RH) The best used to be Robert Johnson, the producer of the GBA version of Puzzle Fighter. But now I hear there’s a new sheriff in town. Alicia seems to be the new reigning queen of the office.

BD) Who’s your favorite character to use in the game?
RH) My favorite character is probably Morrigan, because she can shape-shift. She changes forms during the course of her regular attacks. She’ll shape-shift as she’s attacking, or just in her idle animation.

BD) So you have time to watch her shape-shift while you’re dropping gems?
RH) Yeah, I love watching all the fighting animations in the middle.

BD) Finally, when will the game be out?
RH) We’re shooting to release it in a matter of weeks for both platforms, as long as things go smoothly.

BD) I know I have my fingers crossed. Thanks a lot, Rob.

Robert’s also working on another downloadable game, Rocketmen. It’s really starting to look great. I’ll be talking about that more in the coming months.

—Brian