If you could ask Paul Dini anything....

[Keir]

.... what would it be?

As you might know Paul Dini, writer of Batman: The Animated Series (he also has series one of Lost among his other credits) is responsible for writing Batman: Arkham Asylum.

If you could ask him anything about the game and the role he's played in it - what would that be?

[stoobytoons]

Ooh! Very cool.

Well, my first question would be if I could work on one of his future projects. Hehe. Art, animation, or voice acting. I'm good to go! :)

But about the game, I would ask if he felt that he was finally getting the chance to explore any uncharted territory with Batman specifically, and then perhaps with any of the villains.

Also, the game is looking to be shaping up to be easily the best Batman game ever made, and quite possibly one of the best of 2009. If the option were on the table to return for a sequel, would he be willing to return?

One last question: where does he write from? That is, where does he find inspiration.

[Keir]

Good questions, good questions... keep them coming. We're on a time limit here so I can only accept questions for the next hour or so (............don't ask).

There's no limit on how many q's you can ask, we'll select the best ones (no guarantee all will be answered of course).


Cheers.

[stoobytoons]

Good questions, good questions... keep them coming. We're on a time limit here so I can only accept questions for the next hour or so (............don't ask).

There's no limit on how many q's you can ask, we'll select the best ones (no guarantee all will be answered of course).


Cheers.

I've heard there are quite a few of the Riddler's riddles found throughout the game. Did Paul have a hand in coming up with those?

How much of the content did Paul have a hand in? Was he basically tasked with the central story or did he get a chance to freely explore side trips of the adventure?

What villain or villains does he love to write for?

What does he think about the use of Two-Face in the Nolan films?

[Ensanguined Walls]

How did he approach the villains? He said that he wanted each one to focus on a different side of Batman, but how will the game explore this? Did he look back at the personalities of the baddies from The Animated Series?

What is his greatest regret as a writer? Project he turned down, choices he made, etc?

Did he want to stay on familiar ground with Batman or take on new sides of him?

What is his favorite Batman film?

When creating a story, what's his writing process? How does he slowly establish a plot?

[Ensanguined Walls]

Also, what attracts him to Batman and his universe?

Will he reference any of his%

[Keir]

The podcast will be mycoldman presents stoobytoons question time with Paul Dini.

Aren't you glad you stayed up tonight :D



*EDIT* Oh, Ensanguined Walls, thanks for the questions.

[Ensanguined Walls]

Don't forget me, Keir!

[Ensanguined Walls]

We better ask good questions, Stooby. It looks like we have a half hour or so left. Lol.

[Ensanguined Walls]

Why does Mr. Dini think the Joker and Batman, while radically different, have such an enduring relationship in the comics?

What attracts him to the idea of setting an entire game in such a mysterious area?

Did he want to keep with the classic TAS Joker or use the extra time with him for something more...different?

[stoobytoons]

The podcast will be mycoldman presents stoobytoons question time with Paul Dini.

Aren't you glad you stayed up tonight :D



*EDIT* Oh, Ensanguined Walls, thanks for the questions.

Definitely! I've been such a big fan of Paul Dini for years. To get to pick his brain even just a little bit is a dream I can check off of my master list! :D

As far as games go, would Paul be interested in delving more into the beginnings of Batman's career as he faces off against his classic villains for the first time?

Any chance we could see the return of the Phantasm at some point?

Has Paul considered including any original villains in this or future game stories?

[Ensanguined Walls]

What is Mr. Dini's favorite storyline in The Animated Series?

What attracted him to comics and heroes in general? Why do they resonate with audiences?

What was his experience like with Rocksteady?

Could you, Mr. Dini, name a scenario/scene in this game that you had fun with?

[Ensanguined Walls]

Definitely! I've been such a big fan of Paul Dini for years. To get to pick his brain even just a little bit is a dream I can check off of my master list! :D

As far as games go, would Paul be interested in delving more into the beginnings of Batman's career as he faces off against his classic villains for the first time?

Any chance we could see the return of the Phantasm at some point?

Has Paul considered including any original villains in this or future game stories?

Phantasm would be excellent. Her relationship with Batman, her mysterious disappearance...

[stoobytoons]

OH! I have a good one.

Given the chance, and based on the general response to being able to play as the Joker for challenge room game play, would Paul be interested in writing a game where the villain took on the guise of the protagonist and Batman would be the antagonist? Sort of a Grand Theft Auto: Gotham City, if you will.

[stoobytoons]

OH! I have a good one.

Given the chance, and based on the general response to being able to play as the Joker for challenge room game play, would Paul be interested in writing a game where the villain took on the guise of the protagonist and Batman would be the antagonist? Sort of a Grand Theft Auto: Gotham City, if you will.

**EDIT - Sorry about the double-post there. My Two-Face is showing.... God, I'm a geek.**

[Ensanguined Walls]

OH! I have a good one.

Given the chance, and based on the general response to being able to play as the Joker for challenge room game play, would Paul be interested in writing a game where the villain took on the guise of the protagonist and Batman would be the antagonist? Sort of a Grand Theft Auto: Gotham City, if you will.

Nice idea! That would be very intriguing!

Another question: When working with Rocksteady to choose the villains of this game, did Mr. Dini want to appeal to the fans by selecting the favorites, or did he think that many of these villains could have something meaningful to contribute to the story?

[Ensanguined Walls]

How did Mr. Dini discover the Batman comics?

[stoobytoons]

Nice idea! That would be very intriguing!

Another question: When working with Rocksteady to choose the villains of this game, did Mr. Dini want to appeal to the fans by selecting the favorites, or did he think that many of these villains could have something meaningful to contribute to the story?

Nice! Not just to put them there for the sake of having more villains, right? Good question!

[JD_Method]

Is there any thing in the story that you are particularly unhappy with or felt you could improve on?

Was anything from your story cut or changed for the game?

How much did you enjoy getting back together with the old Animated Series crew?

[Ensanguined Walls]

Nice! Not just to put them there for the sake of having more villains, right? Good question!

Yup. Instead of choosing the typical villains, did he want to select new ones that he didn't get to expand much in The Animated Series? Some of the villains in TAS didn't have much time to shine, but since a video game is a bit more focused, did he want to expand their personalities more? The Ratcatcher is a fine example, as he's not much of a favorite, but he does have potential.

[stoobytoons]

Given the opportunity, does Paul feel that he could write an appropriate reboot for the Robin/**** Grayson character that could translate well for a game or film? And to that end, how would his image change from the brightly coloured costume?

**Edit -- sorry.. RICHARD Grayson. Sheesh!

[Ensanguined Walls]

Would Mr. Dini rather write for a comic or video game? What are the creative differences to him?

[umibozu]

what is mr. Dini's favorite storyline in the animated series?

What attracted him to comics and heroes in general? Why do they resonate with audiences?

What was his experience like with rocksteady?

Could you, mr. Dini, name a scenario/scene in this game that you had fun with?

mad love

[stoobytoons]

There's been a lot of talk not only about the combat and look of the game, but also of the detective aspect of the Dark Knight. How does Mr. Dini write a good mystery? Does he start with the solution and work backwards, or what?

[Ensanguined Walls]

There's been a lot of talk not only about the combat and look of the game, but also of the detective aspect of the Dark Knight. How does Mr. Dini write a good mystery? Does he start with the solution and work backwards, or what?

Also, how does he manage to give both aspects of Batman enough time to shine?

[stoobytoons]

Since a lot of this game seems to resemble the Animated Series, did Mr. Dini bring in Bruce Timm for any input? They seem to work so well together.

[JD_Method]

Maybe we should all put our questions into one post so there aren't loads seperated out. ;)

[stoobytoons]

Maybe we should all put our questions into one post so there aren't loads seperated out. ;)

I would, but they're just coming to me as I go and... Kier said keep em coming. So, when in Rome...

[Keir]

Thanks for these guys.

I'm going to start rounding them up now and selecting a handful of the best ones. I will send them onto mycoldman who is currently waiting in a hotel somewhere in London where he has 20 minutes with Paul Dini to record a podcast :)

[Ensanguined Walls]

Since this game is not a tie-in, what other comics/Batman material did Mr. Dini look at for inspiration?

[stoobytoons]

Thanks for these guys.

I'm going to start rounding them up now and selecting a handful of the best ones. I will send them onto mycoldman who is currently waiting in a hotel somewhere in London where he has 20 minutes with Paul Dini to record a podcast :)

Dude. That's SO cool. This ranks up there with talking to Dave Grohl about making a music video on his Myspace page. Le sigh.....

[JD_Method]

Tell Paul I've played the game and loved it! :D

No really, I have.

[Keir]

Great questions guys, thanks.

OK, fingers crossed this all works :D

We only had it confirmed this morning that we had the chance to do this... I'll send the questions now and give mycoldman a call to see if it's all going to plan.

[Ensanguined Walls]

Thanks, Keir!

[Keir]

No answer on mycoldman's mobile, I guess he's on the tube.

[stoobytoons]

No answer on mycoldman's mobile, I guess he's on the tube.

I'm gonna get you a nice fruit basket, Kier. This has been a blast! :flowers:

[Ensanguined Walls]

Could Mr. Dini do a shout-out to the forums if this works? Haha.

[Keir]

I'm gonna get you a nice fruit basket, Kier. This has been a blast! :flowers:

I'll accept the fruit basket if this works :/ and :D

Could Mr. Dini do a shout-out to the forums if this works? Haha.

Mike's going to get him to say a few things like 'Welcome to the Batman: Arkham Asylum Podcast' and the like. I asked him to name check you too but we shall see.

[Ensanguined Walls]

I'll accept the fruit basket if this works :/ and :D



Mike's going to get him to say a few things like 'Welcome to the Batman: Arkham Asylum Podcast' and the like. I asked him to name check you too but we shall see.

Getting a shout out from Dini would be a dream come true. Haha.

[Drazar]

Question: Did you have anything to do with the sexed up Harley Nurse costume? I'm not complaining about it as it fits with her "costume up" gigs she does with Joker but was it something you personally wanted?

[Keir]

I'll close this now, it's too late for questions.

Further more I haven't heard back from mycoldman - so I don't know if he's asking the questions. Fingers crossed :hmm:

This will be released as podcast number three. Two should be out next week, and three will follow shortly after, but I'll drop a post in here as soon as I know to say whether or not the questions got asked.

Thanks again for the questions gents.

[Keir]

mycoldman asking Paul Dini your questions below...


http://web2.twitpic.com/img/8763644-865d9a4de59fe2ea4edf01f9045c3991.4a0da7d8-scaled.jpg