Podcast Interview: IGF Finalist and Toribash Developer…

Hampa, developer of the IGF Finalist Game — Toribash (check out trailer of the next version of Toribash here) … talks about developing an innovative game, managing a game development team, and growing a game community.

You can download the podcast here…
http://www.indiegamepod.com/podcasts/toribash-podcast.mp3

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http://www.indiegamepod.com/dewplayer.swf?mp3=http://www.indiegamepod.com/podcasts/toribash-podcast.mp3

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Thanks again for listening to the show and feel free to send over comments and suggestions on ways to improve the show.

We’re also looking for more interviewees…if you’ve developed a game and want to contribute back to the indie game dev community….send us an e-mail ( support at indiegamepod dot com) and we’ll go from there.

Show Notes:
0:00 – 5:00
Introduction

Talks about developing Toribash, his first game

Now there are 8 developers working on the game

Signed up for a game competition and developed Toribash for it

Toribash’s Viral Growth

5:00 – 10:00
Developing tools/ideas to help empower the community

YouTube of Fight Scenes/Gameplay and its importance

Other ways to help create the game community…
* The creation of clans
* Fighting Leages, etc.
* Competing with Clans, etc.

10:00 – 15:00
Using Forum Signatures to help promote the game

Using dynamic signatures

Physics Engine used for the Game, Open Dynamics Engine (ODE)

Benefits of using Physics to make a game

Develop on OS X, but release first on Windows

Developing a virtual world around the game

The game interface is extremely difficult, but it still gained popularity…
the reasons why that happened

Now they are doing usability tests to find ways to make the game more accessible

15:00 – 20:00
If change physics of the game, it would change the player’s fighting styles developed over the year. So the team can change everything BUT physics.

Changing the game mechanics would be really hard

Next Release will have some new game modes that the hard core gamers will enjoy

List of viral concepts used to promote the game including signatures, contests, and sharing content

20:00 – 25:00
Game Development Process…come up with an idea, and develop it as quick as possible
A lot of iteration, a lot of prototyping, and trying it on real players

Usually do most of the prototyping alone…but once it’s done, sends it out right away

Usually 10 iterations to find a solid prototype

Recommends playing lots of games, read up on books, and do experimentations to
help improve game design/development skills

Favorite Indie Games

Prefers gameplay over usability

Goals for his game studio, the goal of being a major studio in Singapore

Talks about the Singapore Game Scene including many American companies there like
EA, Linden Labs, etc.

25:00 – 30:00
Other indie game dev studios as role-models…such as
Introversion

Also respects ID Software

Spends about 50% of time on technical and 50% of the time on promotion

Noticed that someone developed Toribash fight scenes in Second Life

Since 50% of time is business, most of the time spent on managing developers, paying
the bills, etc.

Benefits of going through a publisher…to getting on a console

30:00 – 35:00
Developing on a console would take away focus from the PC app…so if did a console
app, it would be after releasing version 3.0 in October 2007. That version will be
feature complete.

Does not reveal features until release a game…so that folks do not complain if a feature gets cut.

Issues with working in an 8-person team…
It takes time to make sure that everyone is happy
Must make sure that folks have something to do at all times
Having a good CVS system is important
Having an update of what folks are working on…via e-mail
Finds that working in a team is more fun than expected to be

The top 3 lessons learned…
Trusting people has been very helpful to success

35:00 – 36:00
Advice for indies out there…
Make a game that you think would be fun to work on 3 years later

Should create a game that would like to play yourself and be really fun to do

Take care,
Action

Experimental Gameplay Workshop Founder and Braid Developer Interview…

Jonathan, founder of the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at GDC and developer of the game Braid talks about game design…

You can download the podcast here…
http://www.indiegamepod.com/podcasts/braid-podcast.mp3

or listen to it here…
http://www.indiegamepod.com/dewplayer.swf?mp3=http://www.indiegamepod.com/podcasts/braid-podcast.mp3

Be sure to add your game blog, game site, or indie game to our Indie Game Dev wiki…

Show Notes:
0:00 – 5:00 Minutes…
Introduction, Experimental Game Design Workshop Founder

Started out with simple games and was a hobbyist initially.

Started out as an indie in 6th grade

Started own company in 1996

5:00 – 10:00
Challenges of starting a company
Signed with TEN
Created a mult-player sci-fi game
Took an extra 1.5 years to finish the game
Did a sequel for the game

10:00 – 15:00
Suggestions for indie game developers…
take an incremental approach to development. Now you can make a simple game on the web
and put Google Ads next to it.

Or can make a simple game and sell it for 5 dollars.

Had a complex interface for first game, now realize that interface simplicity is important.

Noticed that another game called Arc that was very simple…was having a lot more success…even though
our company’s games had better production values.

15:00 – 20:00
Mentions how Snood felt like an anamoly.
Same with Runescape. Does not have high production values, but still very popular

Started the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at GDC because noticed that there were these
folks doing interesting experiments with games

20:00 – 25:00
Big waves at GDC…
Mid 90s: Online gaming

Late 90s: Hollywood in Games

2004-2006: Mobile Games and MMOs

Current Wave: MMOs

Talks about having a “prototype mindset”…a mentality where trying to explore
and learn things

Will work on a prototype for 1-2 weeks and then put them away for a while

25:00 – 30:00
After puts the prototype away, will come up with more ideas during the away time

When you prototype, don’t do it when you need to have a successful idea. Prototype when
you are on another project and doesn’t matter how it comes out. Maybe it will come out
good or not.

While doing main development, will take 1-2 weeks off to prototype and come up with ideas

30:00 – 35:00
Details about Braid Design and the development/exploration process

Talks about working on Braid in Thailand

35:00 – 40:00
Experimental Gameplay Workshop Discussion

40:00 – 45:00

Talks about some interesting games found at Experimental Gameplay Workshop…
Rod Humble’s “The Marriage”

Future of gaming

45:00 – 50:00
Production values vs. Gameplay

Games as Expression

50:00 – 55:00
Social Gaming vs. Single-player gaming
Opinions on Alternate Reality Gaming

Talk about favorite games
like..
Counterstrike
Everyday Shooter

55:00 – 60:00
Favorite games like…
Gammas Bros

Talks about the future of his game design…
and some of the concepts behind his upcoming game

60:00 – 65:00
Talks about initial design process
vs.
current design process

Last words for indie game developers out there…
keep doing what you’re doing
It would be nice to see indies that are doing it because they want to be independent

Take care,
Action