Mindware developers discuss MIDI-based game ‘Dropping Drops’

Mikihito Ichikawa, developer at Mindware, and veteran sound designer Yuriko Keino, known for her work on early Namco arcade games, discussed their collaboration on the physical action puzzle game ‘Dropping Drops’.

The game utilizes a MIDI controller to alter the player experience, a concept Ichikawa developed to demonstrate how changing input hardware fundamentally shifts gameplay. Originally conceived as a sample for a presentation at the ‘Microcomputer Infinite PRO-68K’ event for retro PC enthusiasts, the project gained unexpected popularity among attendees, leading to discussions regarding a potential commercial release.