It also started as a console game, but we wanted to test the concept out on the downloadable casual market. After that, we formed the team and the design has gone through many changes since the start of Revolved. After much iteration it was reduced to something fun, and Linkers were added to the game to create more gameplay. After developing a clock in graphics class I noticed how joining clocks at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 hours formed a grid. James: The game evolved from an analog clock actually. Where did the idea for Revolved come from? Since most of us knew each other's skill sets it was easy to see where each person would fit in within the teamĬhristian: I think the underlying idea behind Alter Ego Games Studio was simply a way for friends to make quality games under our own deadlines that would reach our target demographic Before forming the company we all hung out together and discussed the games we wanted to make. It was natural for us to come together to form Alter Ego Games. We became friends and shared the passion to make great games. James: All of us attended the same college. How did you guys come together to form Alter Ego Games? This is the opportunity I have been waiting for
Ever since that day, I have always wanted to see a game that I made outside of school wind up at that competition. We would make small school projects every year and a few actually made it into the student portion of the competition. Ever since our first IGF we have wanted to come backĬhristian: I have known about the IGF since my first day at DigiPen, back in 1998. We had a game, GenJox, receive first place in the student competition in 2001 – that was an amazing experience. Many of us were on the same game projects while attending DigiPen. James: I first learned about the IGF in college. How long have you guys known about the IGF and how long have you wanted to participate?
It is nice to see that the industry awards such dedication to game making The competition has done a lot for independent developers and it's great to be a part of it this yearĬhristian: It feels really good to know we have made a quality product. James: It's very exciting for us to make it to IGF with our first game. James: My name is James Gagnon and I'm the Project Manager for RevolvedĬhristian: My name is Christian Novembrino and I was the Lead Designer on RevolvedĬongrats on making it to the IGF finals. Who are you and how were you involved in Revolved? The simple idea of rotating squares takes on a whole new meaning here.
Although the concept could be compared to other match puzzlers like Bejeweled, don't be fooled. They saw how the Sundance Film Festival benefited the independent film community, and wanted to create a similar event for independent game developers as well as the student population of game developers.įor this interview, I talked with some of the developers from Alter Ego Games Studio, makers of the IGF finalist Revolved. The CMP Game Group (producer of Game Developer magazine,, and the Game Developers Conference) established the Independent Games Festival in 1998 to encourage innovation in game development and to recognize the best independent game developers.