Deconstructor of Fun Cyprus 5: How a Metal Band Inspired a Wild Game Idea
Nov 5, 2025
Alexey Morozov, founder of Horns Up Games and creator of Lord of Metal, dives into the exhilarating world of heavy music with his unique festival-management tycoon game. He discusses how his passion for live festivals during COVID inspired him to bring the experience home. Alexey explores the chaotic logistics behind festivals, shares wild backstage stories he gathered from industry insiders, and emphasizes a fun gameplay loop designed for busy fans. His partnership with the band Sabaton adds an authentic touch, capturing the heart of rock culture.
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Festivals Are The Core Metal Experience
- Live festivals are the pinnacle of heavy-music culture and carry lifelong emotional value for fans and bands.
- Alexey designed Lord of Metal to capture that crowd energy and memory in a home experience.
Beer-Fueled GDD With Sabaton
- Alexey spent nights writing a game design document after beers with Sabaton and access to their festival knowledge.
- That GDD became the foundation for Lord of Metal and still stands today.
Field Research At Open-Air Concerts
- Alexey did on-the-ground research by attending open-air concerts and interviewing stage techs, runners, and organizers.
- Those interviews revealed a folklore of wild festival stories that feed the game's scenarios.