A 2.5D slasher film parody action game, players will be able to check in – and wipe ‘em out – with the release of White Owls and CULT Games’ Hotel Barcelona.
Gamers Heroes recently spoke with SWERY at GDC 2025’s ID@Xbox event to discuss Hotel Barcelona’s collaborative elements with Suda51, its horror elements, and even his favorite scary movie.
Hotel Barcelona GDC 2025 Interview: SWERY Talks Collaboration With Suda51, Horror Elements, and Favorite Scary Movie
[translated]
Gamers Heroes
I have tremendous respect for both you and Suda51; I have previously interviewed you both and I love both of your work. What has it been like working with him on Hotel Barcelona?
SWERY
So first and foremost, Suda51 is a senior to SWERY in the industry as is very respected. He’s loved and played most of his past works throughout his career.
So honestly, to be able to collaborate with him on this project, it’s been a dream. It’s been something that he’s always wanted to do.
What we really wanted to bring to the table with this game is to combine both of our craziness and our chaos, and just our jarring tastes and themes and double the trouble, essentially. So it’s been a really great experience.
Gamers Heroes
I love Hotel Barcelona’s Slasher Phantom concept [where the person you were at the end of the last game will help in the current mission].
How did this concept come to be?
SWERY
In order to make this parody horror roguelike slasher Hotel Barcelona, at first both he and Suda51 were talking about how they wanted to design the game, and Suda51 suggested a side-scrolling game.
However, SWERY wanted to make it a roguelike. And usually in roguelike games, you carry over the material and experience.
However, in this particular game, SWERY really wanted to carry over the total amount that the player has played throughout the previous round. So in that sense, he added his own little spice to the roguelike concept.
Gamers Heroes
Hotel Barcelona features elements of Hollywood horror from 80s and 90s – how did its unique style come to be?
SWERY
Both SWERY and Suda51 love horror, based off of their generation and what they watched growing up. It’s usually centered around 70s to the early 90s, which is is what they’re most familiar with.
They decided that they would make a homage to horror films centered around the 80s, but all throughout different eras that they know and love very well.
Gamers Heroes
On that note, what’s your favorite scary movie?
SWERY
The Shining – who doesn’t love The Shining, right?
Gamers Heroes
A silly question, but have you come across anything scary when traveling around different hotels throughout Hotel Barcelona’s development?
SWERY
After Suda51 and SWERY decided that they would collaborate on this game, they were thinking of ways to conceptualize the story.
They actually stayed in a haunted castle-turned-hotel located in Canada!
When they were there, they took some inspiration from there and mapped out the story, gaining experience and also a story to tell throughout the game itself.
Gamers Heroes
Hotel Barcelona’s Special Attack gauge forces players to always push forward and be on the offensive. How did this focus on offensive play come to be?
SWERY
So the main purpose of the game’s design is to create a fair balance between defense and attack – and also kind of adjust the difficulty behind the game. If it was just offensive, the player might find it even more difficult.
However, by adding the offense quality, the player is able to be more satisfied and motivated to continue the game.
SWERY really put his heart and soul into developing and writing the story. So of course, he wants the players to keep playing and not give up because of the difficulty.
There is a easy mode, and there are different modes that you can set for yourself if it is too difficult, with the intent that he wants the player to play until the end and learn the story.
And also, for those who are not too keen with horror or gore, there is a popcorn setting inside the game as well. So instead of blood, popcorn appears – it is also a fun way to play the game as well!
Gamers Heroes
I look forward to it!
Thank you to PR for arranging this interview, and SWERY for his time!
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