Derek Yu, an influential American video game artist and designer, talks about his journey from childhood gaming on the Atari 2600 to creating acclaimed titles like Spelunky and the upcoming UFO 50. He reflects on how childhood memories sparked his creativity and the evolution of game design. Yu discusses the challenges of indie game development, the impact of games like 'I'm O.K – A Murder Simulator' in critiquing the industry, and the importance of collaboration and nostalgia in his current projects.
Derek Yu's journey began with mapping games on graph paper, ultimately leading to the creation of influential titles like Spelunky.
He emphasizes player agency in game design, allowing meaningful consequences for players' actions to enhance their gaming experience.
Derek's upcoming project, UFO 50, reflects his desire to capture the nostalgia of childhood gaming while integrating modern design principles.
Deep dives
Origins of a Game Designer
Derek Yu started his journey in video game design at a young age, fueled by his passion for creating games on graph paper. He pursued a degree in computer science, which led him to San Francisco to work as a freelance illustrator after graduating. His early work included the satirical game 'I'm OK! A Murder Simulator', created in response to controversial critiques of video games by critics like Jack Thompson. This experience set the stage for Yu's later creation of 'Aquaria' and 'Spelunky', which became influential titles within the indie game sector.
The Philosophy Behind Derek's Designs
Derek emphasizes the importance of player agency in his games, noting that players’ actions have meaningful consequences, particularly in 'Spelunky'. He believes that this sense of agency is a major factor that resonates with players and contributes to the depth of the gaming experience. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on how he strives to create connections within his game worlds, allowing players the freedom to interact with multiple elements simultaneously. This design philosophy is also mirrored in his upcoming project, 'UFO 50', where diverse gameplay styles encourage exploration and experimentation.
Creating UFO 50
The idea for 'UFO 50' originated from Derek's desire to collaborate with his childhood friend John Perry and revisit the joy of creating small games reminiscent of their childhood. Derek envisioned a collection of 50 games all tied together by a fictional 1980s game company, reflecting their formative gaming experiences. He noted that while developing this anthology was complex, it was essential for them to retain a balance between nostalgia and modern gaming principles. Through this project, he hopes to recreate that freewheeling spirit of creativity that he and Perry enjoyed in their youth.
A Reflection on Game Design Evolution
Derek draws parallels between the gaming industry’s evolution from the 1980s to today, highlighting how the experience of discovering games has changed significantly. In earlier times, players had a sense of mystery and exploration as they engaged with games without the convenience of tutorials or internet resources. This contrasts sharply with today’s gaming environment, where players often rely on trailers and online content to prepare for their gaming experiences. Derek aims to incorporate elements of surprise and wonder back into modern games while also embracing necessary quality-of-life improvements.
The Influence of Family and Community
Derek's gaming experiences have evolved throughout his life, influenced significantly by family interactions and community engagement. He cherishes the memories of playing games like 'The Legend of Zelda' with his father, consciously noting how those bonding moments shaped his creative outlook. Now, as a parent, he enjoys gaming with his daughter on titles like 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons', which offers a shared experience reminiscent of his childhood adventures in gaming. Derek’s participation in platforms like TIGSource has also helped foster an indie gaming community, focusing on collaboration and creativity among developers.
My guest today is the American video game artist and designer, Derek Yu. Born in Pasadena, California in the early eighties, he started mapping out games on graph paper when he was still a child. After graduating college with a degree in computer science, he moved to San Francisco to work as a freelance illustrator. In 2007 he developed a satirical run-and-gun freeware game titled “I’m O.K – A Murder Simulator”, a response to a challenge set down by the notorious critic of video games, (and previous guest of the show) Jack Thompson.
He then formed a studio with one of his ‘I'm OK’ collaborators and together they released Aquaria, a critically lauded side-scroller. That game’s success enabled my guest to make Spelunky, one of the most popular and influential roguelike platformers yet made. Spelunky sold more than a million copies, won numerous awards, and begat an equally well-regarded sequel. Now, four years on, my guest is about to release UFO 50, a collection of games that combine an 8-bit aesthetic with pioneering design.