Bratz Fanz

Veteran game producer Michael Meischeid sits down with Lady Yuna for an exclusive interview and let's us know what it's like to make a Bratz video game, what we can expect in the future and more!

Lady Yuna:  How did MGA Entertainment approach THQ on creating your first Bratz title; Bratz Rock Angelz?

Michael: We actually began before Rock Angelz was a concept at MGA, but the movie helped us deliver a better storyline to the game and brought us even closer to the Bratz world.

Lady Yuna:  What's it like to create a game for a huge property like the Bratz? Exciting?

Michael: I find it very fun and exciting.  It is also very nice to work with a license that is very child-friendly.  Being able to add things like Kittens and Puppies as pets this last year was also very nice.

Lady Yuna:  Does MGA Entertainment tell you which characters to use for the game or do you choose who you want?

Michael: We look to use mostly the characters that are in the movie that we are showcasing.  

Lady Yuna:  Do you use the dolls as reference in terms of how the characters look?

Michael: The dolls are used as reference for all the clothing that is available in the game.  All the clothing comes directly from the current year's clothing lines of the dolls.  The basic character models are taken directly from the movie and scaled to be able to fit in the game.  This allows the look of the game to mirror the look of the movie.

Lady Yuna: Do you have any friends or family members that are fans of the Bratz?

Michael: I have a number of friends and relatives that have young daughters that eagerly await each Christmas when they know they will be receiving the newest Bratz video games from Santa.

Lady Yuna: Will we be seeing more Bratz video games in the future?

Michael: This year we added a DS game to the mix.  

Lady Yuna: How long does it take to complete a video game?

Michael: On average it takes about 1 year to do the complete game.

Lady Yuna:  As a producer, what exactly are your responsibilities?

Michael: As the producer I'm the one in charge of making sure the game comes out on time and is a high quality game.

Lady Yuna: How long have you been producing video games?

Michael: I've been doing this for over 20 years now and find it to be a very fun experience.

Lady Yuna:  Do you play video games in your spare time and if so, what is your favorite title?

Michael: I'm always playing something.  I've played Everquest since it came out.  I'm currently playing the Zoo Tycoon series that I find to be very enjoyable.  And of course I play a lot of sports video games.

My thanks to Michael for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with me and giving readers of Bratz Fanz an inside look at the industry!