Ted Price chats with Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios, about their focus on gameplay variety and two-player co-op experiences. They discuss the challenges of working from home and the importance of physical interaction in game development. The chapter explores creating moments in gaming, challenges faced by a small team, the importance of pacing in game design, and the success of Hazelight Studios in inspiring innovation in co-op games. They also discuss the significance of relatability and accessibility in game design, the value of taking risks, and the challenges and passion in the gaming industry.
Hayslite Studios focuses on delivering a large amount of gameplay variety in their games, combining story and gameplay to create an immersive narrative experience.
Hayslite Studios is dedicated to creating two-player cooperative games, emphasizing the value of split-screen co-op and the personal interactions it brings.
Hayslite Studios believes in balancing gameplay mechanics with storytelling, highlighting the importance of each mechanic in serving the overall narrative.
Hayslite Studios prioritizes player engagement and well-paced gameplay, achieving this through iterative design processes, testing, and player feedback.
Deep dives
Creating Variety in Gameplay
Hayslite Studios focuses on delivering an insane amount of gameplay variety in their games, such as their recently released title, It Takes Two. They believe in combining story and gameplay, ensuring that every scenario and mechanic is part of the overall narrative experience.
The Importance of Split-Screen Co-op
Hayslite Studios is committed to creating games that are specifically designed for two players. They believe in the value of split-screen co-op and the communication and personal interactions it brings to the gaming experience.
Balancing Fun with Storytelling
The studio believes that while fun is important in games, it should not be the sole focus. They emphasize the need to balance gameplay mechanics with storytelling and the overall purpose of each mechanic in serving the narrative.
The Challenge of Polish and Replayability
Hayslite Studios acknowledges the challenge of polishing each mechanic to a high level of quality in games like It Takes Two. While replayability is often discussed in the industry, they believe that focusing on ensuring players finish the game is more important than adding excessive replay value.
The importance of pacing and player engagement
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the significance of pacing and player engagement in game design. They emphasize the need for games to be well-paced and to keep players invested throughout the experience. They suggest that pacing can be achieved through iterative design processes, testing, and player feedback. By focusing on pacing, developers can create games that are enjoyable and keep players immersed in the gameplay.
The need to take risks and prioritize creativity
Another key point discussed in the podcast episode is the importance of taking risks and prioritizing creativity in game development. The speaker advocates for publishers to be more open to new and unique ideas, even if they may initially seem unconventional. They express the need for games to stand out and offer fresh experiences to players. By embracing creativity and taking risks, developers can push the boundaries of the industry and create memorable games.
The perception of the gaming industry compared to movies
The podcast episode also touches on the perception of the gaming industry compared to the movie industry. The speaker expresses their frustration with the gaming industry sometimes being overlooked or undervalued in comparison to movies. They argue that the gaming industry requires immense creativity and skill, and that it should be recognized and respected accordingly. The speaker highlights the complexity and the unique challenges involved in game development, emphasizing that the gaming industry deserves more recognition and understanding from the general population.
Ted Price chats with Hazelight'sJosef Fares about his move from film directing to game development, their focus on delivering a large amount of gameplay variety, their dedication to two-player coop experiences, and the pros and cons of replayability. Josef Fares is the founder, writer, and director of Hazelight Studios, who are best known for A Way Out and the recently released It Takes Two. Josef also helped develop Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons for Starbreeze Studios; and was a celebrated film director prior to his start in games.
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