Interview- Producers with Stacked
This interview was conducted back in 2005, for a PSP magazine called PSP eMag. Unfortunately, eMag died soon after this interview was conducted, and hence was never published. Here is the interview in full, and 'Stacked: With Daniel Negreanu' hits stores this Spring. Enjoy.
---This interview is now exclusive to PSP-News, for the time being.---
Questions are in regular font with a period preceding, while answers are in bold.
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.For our readers who are not familiar with "Stacked", please explain the premise of the game.
As gamers, we looked at everything that was happening with poker and said, we need to make a product that does No Limit Texas Hold’em justice. We see poker as an emergent sport rather than just a televised phenomenon, and we devoted significant resources to make a game that embodies this new era of poker. STACKED is all about realism, advanced strategy, and a level of competition that would impress even the most seasoned poker players.
.Stacked has some all-star support behind it. What is the extent of Daniel Negreanu's participation?
Daniel has put a lot of effort into making sure that Stacked is relevant to poker as it is being played at the highest levels around the world. He’s spent hours in the studio authoring an in-game tutorial system that provides Stacked users with the insights and expertise that have brought him to the top of tournament poker. From the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em to advanced mathematical strategies, Daniel has made certain that Stacked will take your game to the next level.
.And what of the other poker stars? Will we ever have the opportunity to face any of them in online play? I'm sure our readers would love an opportunity to say they beat a seasoned pro.
We were lucky to have Carlos Mortensen, Erick Lindgren, Evelyn Ng, Jennifer Harman, Josh Arieh, and David Williams contribute to Stacked in a significant way. You’ll see these Stacked All-Stars in single player career mode as you battle for championship rings at the final table. Coupled with voiceover work and motion capture, their customized A.I. bots will put you to the test like no other poker video game has before. We’ve also made the pros avatars available only to the pro’s when they’re playing online, so when you see Daniel at your table online, it will really be him.
.Stacked has obtained the revolutionary A.I. "Poki" to be used in the game. How does this differ from any other A.I?
Most of the poker games I’ve played use static, rule-based AI solutions which can be interesting for a couple hours until you figure out how to crack the system. Poki has been in development for over ten years at the University of Alberta’s Game Research Group, adapting research in advanced game theory, machine learning, and neural networks to Texas Hold’em. In a nutshell, Poki keeps track of how you play Hold’em. It remembers everything you do, from how you like to bet, to which hands you like to play, to how you play in certain positions. It takes all of this information and models you as an opponent. If you play very loose and get caught bluffing, Poki will get more aggressive and force you to play your hands. Think of it this way, Poki is always trying to read you, and as a result, you’ll come to understand the most important principles of Hold’em: deception and perception.
.We understand "Stacked" for the PSP will have some connectivity features with the PS2 version. What features can we expect to see?
We’re very excited about the interoperability feature between PS2 and PSP. On the single player side, its going to allow you to take your career on the road and improve your character on the go. You’ll be able to face-off against Poki whenever you like, and you may even win a seat for an online event. On the multiplayer side, nothing has us more excited than the possibility of setting up a wireless game on the fly with Stacked PSP users nearby. Poker is the perfect game for wireless play on the PSP – and – you can play PSP to PS2.
.Stacked has branched out from just a game into new media on MTV.
What does the deal with MTV mean for the Stacked franchise?
We’ve been thrilled with how Stacked is becoming a poker franchise. The relationship with MTV reinforces our approach in creating a brand that is relevant to a new generation of poker players. Legitimate, fast-paced, and as competitive as any major sports enterprise. I think MTV was drawn to our brand, but more importantly, what we are trying to accomplish in setting a new standard for an interactive poker product. In a nutshell, MTV is going to be creating dedicated television programming for Stacked, as well as drive our online initiatives. They see a great deal of potential in the Stacked Masters online multiplayer system, and I think gamers will be very excited by what they have in store.
.There are many poker games coming out soon for the PSP handheld, including Activision's "World Series of Poker" and Namco's "Payout Poker & Casino", amongst others. What will attract gamers to Stacked as opposed to the other games?
Stacked is the ultimate poker experience, and I hope gamers will see our product as the most authentic hold ‘em game. The artificial intelligence alone is something that no other product comes close to matching. To have something that’s going to encourage you to be a better poker player the more you play it, is incredible. Also, because Stacked is one of the only games that supports massive multi-table tournaments, together with the ability to play PS2 users online from your PSP, I think it’s one of the most compelling multiplayer experiences to be offered on the PSP yet. And to top it all off, Stacked comes with a built-in instructional DVD from Daniel Negreanu, ESPN, Card Player Magazine, and World Poker Tour Player of the Year.
.I would like to thank you for your time, and wish you the greatest of luck with your upcoming game, Stacked. When can we expect to see Stacked on store shelves?.
Look for Stacked on the PSP this fall. [obviously, the game was delayed, so look for Stacked on PSP in Spring.]
-Fezzy
