Welcome to our latest feature on Fix Gaming Channel, where we delve into the creative and dynamic world of indie game development. Today, we're thrilled to share an exclusive Q&A session with Archor Wright, a visionary indie game developer known for Multiplayer Cowboys and Multiplayer Cavemen, as we showcased and reviewed here on Fix Gaming Channel recently. We had a good time with those games, for sure. In this insightful interview, Archor Wright opens up and offers a glimpse into the passion and dedication behind his work.
Q: "How did you first get involved in game development, and what inspired you to pursue this career?"
A: Firstly, I'd like to point out that game development is my 'hobby', not my 'day job'. That being said, when I was young, I used a computer at my local library to teach myself basic programming. Before too long, I was teaching others at the library. I used video games as examples because they involve lots of aspects of programming all in one place (e.g., sound, graphics, data processing, I-O, etc.). I eventually got a few internationally published programs/articles, and I was hooked. From there, it just became part of who I am (in my 'hobby' life, at least).Q: "Who or what are your biggest influences in game design and storytelling?"
A: I just look at some of the games that I or my friends/family are playing, and I try to figure out how to emulate something like those.Q: "Can you walk us through the concept and development process of your latest game or games?"
A: I usually start with the 'end goal' of a project and then reverse engineer my way back to the start. I usually set some sort of 'challenge' for myself with each project (e.g., learn some game tech to get to the goal).Q: "What unique challenges did you face while developing your games and how did you overcome them?"
A: In general, for most of my games, the biggest enemies are time and resources since this is my 'hobby', not my 'day job'. For example, I am not a musician, so I acquire game music assets to use, or I am not really a 3D artist, so I acquire 3D models to 'kitbash' together to get to my goal for a game, etc.Q: "How do you balance player feedback with your vision during the development process?"
A: I am a solo developer, so I am my play tester for the most part. But on a rare occasion, I will see if a friend or family member can provide objective feedback, especially if I am stuck on something. I might use them as a sounding board to brainstorm ideas.Q: "What trends in the gaming industry excite you the most currently?"
A: Emerging technologies like VR, AR, XR, AI, etc.Q: "How do you see emerging technologies like VR, AR, or AI impacting game development?"
A: I think some sort of XR/AI hybrid would be interesting. Examples:https://youtu.be/RGCHB1_0ZFc, https://rabbit.tech And: https://x.ai
Q: "Describe a typical day in your life as a game developer. How do you approach the creative process?"
A: As I mentioned earlier, game development is just my 'hobby', not my 'day job'. That being said, I usually have some sort of end goal or challenge that I am trying to get to, and I use that to drive the development.Q: "What has been the most rewarding project in your career so far, and why?"
A: 'Rewarding' is a 'tricky' word. Some folks might think it means 'number of games sold', but I actually like some of my 'underdog' type projects that maybe didn't get too noticed by folks, but I still feel like I reached my goals for those projects.Q: "What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter the field of game development?"
A: 'Don't feed the trolls!' There are a lot of negative folks out there who will dig into something 'subjective' they don't like about your games. Try to focus on the 'objective' / constructive feedback you get and use that to drive you. 'Dream big, don't quit.'Q: "In an industry dominated by big publishers with significant resources, how do you differentiate your games and stay competitive?"
A: I am a solo 'hobbyist' developer at best, even some 'indie' developers have medium to large teams. I don't use those as my 'benchmark', instead, I look at the smaller developers that somehow got successful, and I try to figure out how they did it. I think what 'differentiates' me is that I've been labeled (by other folks, not by myself) as the 'Steam Meme Game King'. I didn't really like that at first, but it has grown on me. Some of my games are 'spoof'/parody games, just to have fun with it. For example, I made an RPG called 'Phinal Phantasy' as a spoof, just for fun. Unfortunately, Steam wouldn't publish it, because they said it was too similar and might infringe on trademark/copyright, etc. But, I still learned a lot from that project.Q: How do you view the impact of independent reviews and gameplay publications, like ours, on the visibility and sales of your games?
A: Being an 'indie' myself, I am a big fan of any 'indie '-focused publications and I see them as very useful.Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers about your experiences or upcoming projects?
A: Stay tuned! More to come!Archor Wright's journey through indie game development is a testament to his passion and dedication. Despite considering game development a hobby rather than a profession, Wright's commitment to creating immersive experiences in games like "Multiplayer Cowboys" and "Multiplayer Cavemen" has significantly impacted our team and audience at Fix Gaming Channel. His self-taught programming skills and desire to emulate games that captivate his family and friends highlight his profound commitment to his craft.
Wright's development process, characterized by personal challenges and reverse-engineering projects from their end goals, reflects a deeply analytical and goal-oriented approach. This narrative sheds light on the quintessential indie developer's dilemma: balancing limited time and resources with the ambition to create. Through creative asset acquisition and a focus on reaching his developmental goals, Wright navigates these challenges with finesse.
His perspectives on player feedback, emerging technologies, and the creative process offer invaluable insights into the indie development landscape. Wright's anticipation of an XR/AI hybrid future underlines his forward-thinking vision, while his approach to game development as a series of personal challenges underscores his intrinsic motivation.
Wright's advice to aspiring developers to ignore trolls and focus on constructive feedback is a testament to his resilience. Recognized as the "Steam Meme Game King," Wright's unique position as a hobbyist developer highlights the diverse paths available within the indie gaming sector. His experiences remind us that success can come from passion, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
Our interview with Archor Wright not only provides a glimpse into the mind of a visionary indie game developer but also serves as an inspiration for those navigating the complex and rewarding world of game development. As Wright continues to explore new frontiers with upcoming projects, we eagerly anticipate the innovative experiences he will bring to the gaming community.
We thank Archor Wright for sharing his journey and insights with us and our readers. For those interested in cutting-edge indie game development, stay tuned to Fix Gaming Channel for more exclusive features and in-depth discussions with the creative minds shaping the future of gaming.
Stay tuned for more exciting features and insights into the gaming world here on Fix Gaming Channel!
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