The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook cover image

The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Sea of Stars Director Thierry Boulanger

Dec 18, 2023
Thierry Boulanger, Sabotage Studio President and Creative Director, discusses his journey into game development, founding Sabotage Studio, key lessons from creating The Messenger implemented in Sea of Stars, and playing retro games while creating modern experiences.
01:54:23

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Balancing retro aesthetics with modern game design by using limited on-screen enemies, self-contained level design, and eliminating tedious sections.
  • The challenges faced during the development of Sea of Stars, including adapting to remote work during the COVID-19 lockdown and navigating the financial realities of game development.

Deep dives

Overview of the Podcast Episode

In this podcast episode, Terry and the host discuss the development process and design principles behind the game 'The Messenger'. The game is a side-scrolling action platformer with a retro aesthetic and gameplay. Terry explains that the team aimed to create a game that captures the essence of classic retro games while modernizing the design and mechanics. They wanted to evoke feelings of nostalgia and tap into the magic and joy that players experienced as children. They discuss the decision-making process for balancing retro aesthetics with modern game design, including the use of limited on-screen enemies, self-contained level design, and the elimination of tedious sections. The conversation also touches on the importance of maintaining authenticity and capturing the essence of retro games while incorporating modern elements.

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