Nancy Drew:  Creature of Kapu Cave
 Interview with Jessica Chiang 
by Danyboy
July 19, 2006

Nancy travels to Hawaii as a research assistant for Dr. Quigley Kim to determine why the population of native caterpillars has exploded.  She runs into the Mapu’s – the family of a budding pro surfer.  The Hardy Boys, on a separate covert operation, are also visiting the Mapu’s and staying at the family’s cultural immersion center.

Before Nancy leaves for the camp, Mike Mapu warns her to avoid the Hilihili research compound and its evil vibes; it’s super secretive and some believe it’s linked to the Kāne ‘Ōkala.  Local legend has it that a long time ago, a man was sacrificed to the hungry volcano to appease it.  Kāne ‘Ōkala, or “the rough-skinned man,” later escaped from the volcano, but he was scarred for life with a rough-skinned and frightening appearance.

When Nancy arrives at Camp Quigley, she sees a monster ravaging the camp, and soon discovers that Dr. Quigley is missing!  Could the monster she saw be Kāne ‘Ōkala?

As Nancy explores the island, she finds more than she bargained for: invasive beetles are damaging the island’s ecology and could pack a devastating blow; are there ties between the beetle and caterpillar problems and the secret compound?  Could the mad scientist of the Hilihili research compound, be behind it all?  Maybe the Kāne ‘Ōkala is back for revenge.

As her Hawaiian adventure unfolds, Nancy discovers the Kapu, or “forbidden” cave, and suspects that something mysterious is hidden in the cave – behind the Tiki Centennials (totems) and caterpillar webs that guard the entrance.

For those who haven't heard of the Hardy Boys, who are they?

Frank and Joe Hardy are Nancy’s counterparts on the sleuthing scene.  They solve mysteries for ATAC (American Teens Against Crime) and often help Nancy out with clues.  Previously, they had only been available on the phone, but they were actually guests in Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon.

Why did Nancy become a research assistant for Dr. Kim?

Nancy found out about the internship from her dad’s friend and thought it would be really cool to visit Hawaii.

How will the gameplay be different with the Hardy Boys around?

You actually be able to play as the Hardy Boys, so you’ll have different inventory items and research clues while Nancy’s busy with her part of the case. It’s a team effort this way.

What kind of scenery can we expect to see?

Hawaii is a very lush climate famous for beaches and volcanoes.

Will the cave be like a maze?

You’ll find out when you unlock the cave.

Are we going to be doing some archeological digging?

No, but you will be working in the field as well as the lab.

Can you give us more details about the characters we will be able to see during the gameplay?

We’re still working on the game, so we don’t have details yet.  Keep checking Her Interactive for more information about the game.

Why is the cave forbidden?

Legend has it that the Kane ‘Okala lives there and should not be disturbed.

Are we going to be seeing the Hardy Boys back again in another game?

They’ve already been in two games, so maybe.

Do you have any ideas about what's next for Nancy in the near future?

She’ll be solving more mysteries of course!

Have you ever considered bringing Bess or George as another playable character into the games?

We have considered adding Bess and George as playable characters, but we’ll see where that goes.

General questions:

For those who don't know her, who is Nancy Drew? Have you ever considered bringing Bess or George as another playable character into the games?

Nancy Drew is the first female action hero who uses her intelligence and resourcefulness to solve mysteries.

At a very young age Nancy has seen a lot of adventure and lived through a lot of threatening situations.  How is she able to survive each time?

Nancy uses her mind to get her through sticky situations. Always having second chances helps too.

Will Nancy ever get older?

YOU are Nancy Drew, so she is anything you want her to be.

Are the stories always based on the Nancy Drew books?

Yes, loosely.

It's almost fun to put Nancy into trouble in the game.  Some of the things that happen to her are very funny.  Why have you chosen that humorous approach?

Playing games is about having fun and developing your mental skills, so we wanted something that was both entertaining and educational. If Nancy was serious all the time, the game wouldn’t be nearly as interesting.

The Nancy Drew Games all seem to have a similar "feel" to them.  Have the same graphics artists and writers been around since the first game?

Even though a lot of the artists and writers have been here for a long time, they didn’t work on all of the games.  It’s good to hear that the games feel like they all come from the same universe – that means we’ve done a good job of keeping things consistent.

Which Nancy Drew game is the most successful?

Message in a Haunted Mansion seems to be the most popular game.

You seem to have success with the similar style and themes of these games.  What makes the magic work?

Her Interactive’s award-winning Nancy Drew mysteries are daring, challenging games that inspire players to track down clues to crack the case as they assume the role of legendary teen sleuth, Nancy Drew. Players interact with a complex cast of characters, all of whom have secrets of their own.

Will we have some new games to play on Nancy's computer?

Nancy doesn’t have a computer that she keeps?

Why do you think people are so interested in the Nancy Drew games?

As Nancy Drew, the player gets to experience what it is to be brilliant.  For kids, they get to experience what it’s like to be an adult, and for an adult, they get to be kids again.  Nancy Drew is a win-win for kids and parents alike.  Kids love the games because they are fun, and parents love them because they are quality, wholesome entertainment.