Game Development 2022: How Sever Survives the Crisis

Contents:

• Current Challenges and New Projects
• The Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work
• Overview of the New Game "Holiday" and Its Publisher
• The Meaning of the Name "Holiday" and Inspiration for the Plot
• Announcement of the Release of the Game "Holiday" on New Platforms
• The Concept of a Story-Driven Sandbox: A New Look at Game Mechanics
• Prospects for Sever Studio: A Look into the Future

In January 2022, Skillbox Media's Gamedev editorial team interviewed Dmitry Ivanov, head of the Russian studio Sever. During the conversation, the successful release of the interactive novel The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, which was a significant achievement for the team, was discussed. At the time, the developers were also working on a new project called Mother of All Secrets. This ambitious, non-linear adventure immerses players in the atmosphere of an orphanage, offering unique plot twists and deep character development.

Current Challenges and New Projects

After 11 months, the situation for Sever Studio has changed. The team faced a crisis caused by general problems in the Russian gaming industry. Despite these difficulties, the studio did not give up and continued its work. At the end of 2022, they released the free horror game "Holiday", which became an important stage in their development and confirmation of their commitment to creating high-quality content.

In December 2022, we spoke with Dmitry Ivanov to discuss the current state of affairs at the studio.

In early January, Sever Studio decided to close the Mother of All Secrets project and reduce the team. What were the main challenges the studio faced during this challenging year?

We survived a challenging year, but we are proud that we were able to release "Holiday". While this project isn't as large-scale as The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, it highlights our studio's continued growth and innovation. This was significant for both us and our audience, reaffirming our commitment to quality and creativity in the gaming industry.

Last year, Sever Studio was located in Tomsk. Has the studio's location changed since then?

We moved to Georgia, and I'm here now. The remaining employees continue to work remotely from various cities and countries. The transition to remote work was challenging for us, as we were accustomed to a collaborative office environment and in-person interactions.

The number of employees leaving the company can vary depending on various factors. Common reasons for departures can include dissatisfaction with working conditions, lack of career advancement, low wages, or conflict within the team. Analyzing these reasons helps companies identify problem areas and improve the work environment, which contributes to the retention of talented professionals. It's also important to consider that employee turnover can be caused by external factors, such as market conditions or competition. Regularly monitoring turnover and providing feedback to employees can help create a more engaging work environment.

During the development of The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, our team consisted of ten permanent employees. We have now reduced our team to five people, including myself. This decision was made due to the suspension of work on the Mother of All Secrets project. Unfortunately, I cannot share all the details regarding this step.

The abandonment of the Mother of All Secrets project necessitated staff optimization. We could no longer continue paying salaries to specialists not involved in the work. Having retained key employees, we began to analyze the future: how to develop games in the new environment, which became a significant challenge for us.

Are there ideological differences with former employees that led to the separation?

We have never parted with employees for ideological reasons. Our team included people with diverse views, but this did not lead to conflicts. We always found a common language and respected each other's opinions, which contributed to the creation of a productive and friendly working atmosphere.

The Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work

Remote work offers vast opportunities, but also brings significant challenges. Employees often face communication difficulties, especially when time zones differ. How have we adapted to this new environment? Effective strategies, such as using modern collaboration tools and clearly scheduling meetings, help overcome communication barriers. Furthermore, establishing a flexible work schedule allows us to consider the interests of all team members, which contributes to increased productivity. Adapting to remote work requires ongoing training and skill development, which is becoming an essential aspect of successful work in the modern world.

To maintain an atmosphere of team collaboration, we developed virtual spaces in Discord that replicate office areas. Each employee has access to their own workstation, as well as a "kitchen" where they can relax, chat, and have tea away from work. This solution helps compensate for the lack of live communication and promotes team spirit.

Our team actively supports collaboration by regularly showcasing their progress. Employees can organize streams to share their successes. This not only allows everyone to discuss progress and ideas but also fosters an atmosphere of unity and engagement. These events strengthen team spirit and stimulate creativity, which ultimately has a positive impact on our work results.

Our team often discusses the Mother of All Secrets project. Development of this project is currently on hold. We recognize that returning to this area is impractical and are currently focused on implementing new ideas that we plan to present in the future. We are confident that these new projects will be interesting and relevant to our audience.

In a remote work environment, finding new ways to interact and maintain team dynamics is critical. We are actively implementing modern technologies and creative approaches to create an effective and friendly work environment. This allows us not only to maintain a high level of productivity but also to strengthen team spirit and collaboration among employees. Investing in online communication and collaboration tools helps us stay connected and achieve common goals, regardless of team members' geographic location.

Overview of the new game "Holiday" and its publisher

Are you talking about your new game called "Holiday"?

At first, we were really confused. What kind of game can a team of five people develop? We needed to create something quick, inexpensive, and at the same time rich in emotions. Why the emphasis on emotions? Try playing "Holiday" and you will understand everything.

The idea was formulated in July, and we spent a long time discussing the best ways to implement it. This turned out to be a challenge, since "Holiday" is significantly different from our previous game, The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante. In the former case, we were developing an interactive performance in a 3D environment, while in the latter, we are developing an interactive novel, designed as an illustrated book. Our goal was to create a unique gaming experience that would combine elements of theater and literature to engage players and provide them with unforgettable emotions.

Despite the challenges, we successfully completed the project by October. Following this, we began searching for a partner to release our game, "Holiday." We are pleased to announce that Prismatika Games has become such a partner. They showed great interest in our small test game, which is also free to play. Unlike mobile games, "Holiday" does not have microtransactions, meaning players cannot earn money from it. However, Prismatika Games provided significant assistance in finalizing the project and took on marketing responsibilities, especially internationally, which will allow us to attract a wider audience and increase awareness of the game.

What is the current partnership situation? Many foreign companies are starting to refuse to collaborate with Russian players. Has this situation affected you?

We continued to collaborate with international publishers both before and after February 24, 2022. For example, 101XP, which published The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, is not a Russian company, and Prismatika Games is based in Berlin. We have not encountered any refusals related to nationality or passport issues. The main difficulties are technical. How should we interact with international companies if we encounter difficulties paying for their services? Or how should we resolve issues caused by the instability of the banking sector?

I oppose any form of discrimination based on nationality and do not intend to cooperate with partners who use such methods. It is important to build relationships on the principles of equality and respect, excluding any manifestations of bias.

The Meaning of the Name "Holiday" and Inspiration for the Story

We chose the name "Holiday" for our project because it reflects the core idea and concept we want to convey to our audience. Holidays are associated with joy, positivity, and bringing people together. We strive to create a festive atmosphere in every aspect of our project, whether it's events, products, or services. This name also helps us establish an emotional connection with our clients, which is an important aspect of our approach. We are confident that "Holiday" will become a symbol of positive emotions and unforgettable moments for everyone involved.

The game's name accurately conveys its essence. The player is immersed in a festive atmosphere, where the action unfolds in a cozy apartment, filled with familiar moments of gatherings with family and friends. You won't be able to simply leave this place; you will be captivated by the interactions with the participants of the feast. Your decisions and behavior in this situation are entirely up to you. We've given players the power of free choice, as if you were an actor whose actions shape the entire play. This game offers a unique experience where every decision matters, creating unforgettable moments and stories.

Your actions in the game significantly impact the ending. While the game doesn't offer the complex nonlinearity of The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, "The Celebration" offers five unique endings, each driven by the choices you make. These endings shape the player's individual experience and highlight the importance of the decisions made throughout the game.

We strove to create the most realistic feast atmosphere in "The Feast." Our goal was to ensure that every element, from table setting to the selection of food and drinks, conveyed the spirit of the holiday and created the feeling of a real feast. We paid special attention to detail so that viewers could immerse themselves in the atmosphere and feel like they were participating in this event.

The game is truly based on real events. Although the plot is not an exact interpretation, we drew inspiration from personal experience. Many moments in "The Feast" reflect events in my life, and some lines were spoken in the past by real people, not invented by the scriptwriters. This creates a deep connection between the game and the viewer, allowing everyone to experience an atmosphere of reality and sincerity.

The plot truly evokes associations with "a feast during a plague." This comparison emphasizes the contrast between idleness and the difficult circumstances in which the characters find themselves. This motif allows for a deeper understanding of the characters' internal conflicts and their reactions to crisis situations. The use of this imagery also emphasizes human nature and the desire for pleasure even in the most difficult times. Thus, the interpretation of the plot as a "feast during a plague" is justified and reveals important themes about life, death, and choice.

This event can be characterized as a "feast in time." What exactly is happening at the moment, I leave to your discretion.

Announcement of the release of the game "Holiday" on new platforms

At the moment, the game "Holiday" is available exclusively on PC. The question of launching on other platforms remains relevant. The developers are considering the possibility of expanding the game's availability, but specific dates and platforms have not yet been announced. Stay tuned for updates on the appearance of "Holiday" on other devices.

At the moment, we are not considering the possibility of launching on other platforms. This is due to the fact that porting the game requires significant resources and effort, including redesigning the interface. This is especially true for mobile devices, where the advisability of releasing a compact free-to-play game arises. We are focused on improving the current version and ensuring its stability, which allows us to provide players with the best possible experience.

The game is truly free and has no hidden payments or pitfalls. Users can enjoy the full gameplay without having to spend money on additional elements. This makes the game accessible to a wide audience, which is an important aspect of its popularity. If you have any questions about how monetization works or whether there is an option for in-game purchases, we are ready to provide all the information you need.

"Holiday" is a completely free and non-commercial project, which we consider an experimental game. Players have the option to purchase additional content in the form of DLC or make a donation to support the Sever studio. Both options are available at a reasonable price - about two dollars. The idea of ​​​​supporting the studio by our fans has been discussed since the release of The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante. We appreciate everyone who decides to support and help us develop our projects.

The concept of a story-based sandbox: a new look at game mechanics

In your previous projects, such as "The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante", you successfully combined elements of a visual novel with tabletop role-playing games. In "Mother of All Secrets," you significantly expanded your horizons by creating a full-fledged role-playing game in which the character can freely explore the world, and time limits are not determined by the player's actions. How has your approach to game development changed in modern projects?

Our philosophy has undergone significant changes. We focus on creating dynamic stories that adapt depending on the player's decisions. You can call it a storytelling sandbox, where the overall narrative consists of many changing elements. This approach gives the game uniqueness and depth, allowing each player to experience their own, unique gaming experience. We believe that it is interaction with the story that makes the game more engaging and exciting.

Your goal is to create a unique, non-linear gaming experience. This approach allows players to make decisions that affect the development of the plot and gameplay. The non-linear structure of the game provides variety, increasing interest and engagement. This opens up opportunities for repeated playthroughs, as each choice leads to new scenarios and outcomes. Creating such an experience requires careful consideration of storylines and characters, which makes the game more dynamic and interactive.

Non-linear gameplay implies the presence of multiple storylines, which creates free space for the plot to develop with elements of unpredictability. Our goal is to surprise even us, the developers, with the player's reaction to their actions. Similar ideas have been successfully implemented in games like Dwarf Fortress, although their graphics may not always meet modern requirements. We strive to make our game visually appealing, which will significantly improve the player's immersion in the game world and enhance the overall experience of interacting with it.

When developing the concept of a "story builder", you probably pay attention to the work of such renowned developers as Ken Levine. He recently unveiled his new project, the action film "Judas". Are you familiar with this new game?

I haven't followed its work, but I have doubts about the implementation of a story constructor in a shooter. While creating a shooter, it ultimately remains within the confines of the genre, and all the additional features serve more as an add-on. Based on this, I'm not sure that our game will be similar to his project.

Sever Studio Prospects: A Look Ahead

Sever Studio expects many changes and new opportunities in the coming years. It's important to consider the key areas that could impact its development. Advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and increased competition in the industry create both challenges and opportunities for growth.

The studio is expected to focus on integrating modern technologies into its projects, which will improve the quality of content and make it more appealing to audiences. A key aspect will also be focusing on viewer needs, which will help create a more personalized and relevant product.

Furthermore, the studio plans to actively develop cooperation with other market players, which opens new horizons for cross-promotion and joint projects. The introduction of new formats and content distribution channels will also be a priority, allowing it to reach a wider audience.

Therefore, Sever Studio is ready for change and committed to innovation, which will ensure its sustainable development and competitiveness in the entertainment industry.

While I cannot provide all the details of our future plans, I can confidently say that we are focused on game development. In the current environment, it is difficult to predict what the future will bring, as circumstances can change at any moment. However, my planning horizon has expanded significantly since the beginning of the year, allowing us to respond more flexibly to changes in the industry and adapt our strategies. We continue to strive to create high-quality game content that will be interesting and relevant to our users.

Speaking about the planning horizon, it is important to note that for me, as the head of the studio, it is two years. This period is optimal for an indie team to successfully complete a project. Reducing development time can lead to failures and a decrease in product quality, while increasing the planning horizon can lead to a loss of interest on the part of the team and a depletion of resources. Therefore, proper planning and time management are key factors for achieving success in the gaming industry.

We strive to create games that reflect a diversity of opinions without imposing our views. The game becomes not just a message from the creators, but a space for each player's interpretation. I am pleased to see how our audience discovers unexpected meanings in our projects, such as The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante. Opinions on "Holiday" were even more divided, highlighting the importance of the topics discussed. Our goal is to inspire player reflection and dialogue, making each game a unique experience.

Some critics accuse us of propaganda, but our goal was to create a unique gaming experience, not to provoke specific actions. Each player has the opportunity to decide for themselves how to respond to the emotions the game evokes. We strive to ensure that our project provokes thought and discussion, rather than imposing ready-made solutions.

In the current climate of uncertainty, many developers are struggling. It is important to focus on developing key skills such as flexibility and adaptability to change. We recommend learning new technologies and tools, as well as actively participating in professional communities. This will help strengthen your knowledge and expand your network. Also, don't forget the importance of creating a portfolio that showcases your achievements and skills. Continuous learning and self-improvement will be the key to success in a career as a developer.

I understand what it's like to face difficulties, having gone through similar trials myself. While I can't claim to have completely overcome my inner crisis, I realized the importance of continuing to work and create games. In our game "Holiday," we expressed all the emotions that were holding us back, and this was a real relief for me. I encourage others to do the same—find ways to express their feelings and overcome difficulties through creativity. Game creation can be not only a means of self-expression but also an effective tool for working through inner experiences.

Don't let obstacles stop your creativity. Even in difficult times, when your mood is low or personal problems arise, it is important to continue creative work. Neil Gaiman, in his inspiring address to graduates, emphasized that putting creativity on hold is not the best approach. I fully support this opinion. Every moment spent creatively can become a source of inspiration and new ideas. Creativity not only helps you cope with difficulties but also develops your personality. Don't miss the opportunity to create, even when it seems like everything is going wrong.

Discover your potential for small achievements. Even the most modest project can bring significant value. If you're full of desire but face a lack of resources, use the available opportunities to realize your creative ideas. Every step toward realizing your idea can be the beginning of something greater.