Spotless Games (Interview)

1. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GAME THAT YOU PLAYED THAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH
GAMING?

Well, this happened a long time ago…I think it was back in 2002/2003. I lived in Italy at that time, as my parents had to move there with work. I remember that I saved some money and bought a PC and a magazine that had also a free game, on two CDs. Yea, remember those flashy disks that you inserted in the PC? That game was Gothic 1 and it changed everything for me. It was the first open-world RPG that truly captured my heart and imagination. The nameless hero's mysterious journey kept me guessing at every turn, the dark and foreboding environment sent shivers down my spine as I ventured into unknown lands, the choices I had to make in order to align myself with one of the factions, and the gameplay system that made me feel stronger with each new ability - it was all so incredible. Gothic 1 holds a special place in my heart, it was the game that ignited my passion for gaming.

2. HOW DID YOU GET INTO GAME DEVELOPMENT?

I had always harbored a dream of creating games, but it was not until the dawn of last year that I finally took action. My skills were limited in nearly every aspect of game development - from coding to animation, sound, and level design - and a few years ago, it was quite a daunting task. Resources were scarce, with no YouTube and very few online tutorials. But time passed, and the world changed. The advent of technology made it easier to access information, and the pandemic brought with it a surplus of free time. And so, I installed Unity and began to immerse myself in tutorials, learning something new each day. And thus, my journey began.

3. WHAT GAMES DID YOU CREATE BEFORE THIS UPCOMING ONE YOU ARE WORKING ON NOW?

This is actually my first ever game! My maiden voyage into the world of game development. As I delved deeper into the art of crafting games, my mind was consumed by thoughts of the story, the characters, the enemies, and the environment. I envisioned the gameplay and slowly, piece by piece, my dream began to take shape. And what better way to learn than through the act of creation itself? I embarked on this journey, eager to see what wonders would unfold.

4. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND PUTTING TOGETHER THE NAME AND BRAND OF SPOTLESS GAMES?

The inspiration behind the name and brand of Spotless Games is to convey the idea of the purity and importance of games as a form of art. The name "Spotless" implies a sense of cleanliness and perfection, which aligns with my focus on creating high-quality, polished games that are true works of art. The brand aims to convey a sense of elegance, creativity, and attention to detail, as well as a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what games can be.

5. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CURRENT GAME YOU ARE WORKING ON AND WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME?

The name of the current game I'm working on is "The Story of a Drunken Sailor". The name captures the sense of freedom and recklessness that is often associated with sailors, as well as the idea that players can transpose themselves into the role of a sailor in the game. The "Drunken" part of the name may also allude to the idea of being carefree, or not taking oneself too seriously, and to a sense of humor in the game.

6. WHAT ENGINE ARE YOU USING AND WHY?

Unity as it’s very user-friendly and easy to learn, making it a great option for beginners. The Unity engine has a large community and resources, such as tutorials and forums, that can help new developers learn the basics of game development quickly.

7. WHERE DOES THE SETTING OF YOUR UNTITLED GAME TAKES PLACE?

The setting of the game takes place in the realm of Hell. This infernal realm serves as the backdrop for the game's story and gameplay, providing a distinctive environment for players to explore and interact with. The game's depiction of Hell is dark and unforgiving, full of twisted and terrifying creatures and landscapes. The game's characters, challenges and story all take place in this infernal world, immersing players in a truly otherworldly experience.

8. WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST OF THE GAME?

The protagonist of the game is a lonely, nameless individual who, after dying, finds himself in the realm of Hell. This character serves as the player's avatar in the game, and players take on the role of the protagonist as they navigate the infernal landscape and interact with the various characters and creatures that inhabit it. The protagonist is a complex character, with his own backstory, motivations, and personality. The game's story centers around the protagonist's journey through hell, as he tries to find a way out and possibly redemption.

9. WHAT TYPE OF MELEE WEAPONS ARE BEING CREATED FOR THIS GAME?

A variety of different melee weapons are being created to provide players with a range of different options for combat. These include one-handed and two-handed swords, axes, maces, spears, daggers and so on. In addition to these traditional melee weapons, the game will also include a variety of ranged weapons. These include not only pistols and rifles, but also special ranged weapons that are unique to the setting of Hell. These special weapons may include things like cursed bows, infernal crossbows, and other weapons that are powered by the dark energy of Hell itself. These weapons will offer players a new way to engage in combat and add to the game's unique setting. The idea behind these special ranged weapons is to capture the essence of hell and make it an important part of the game's gameplay.

10. WHAT AREAS CAN YOU EXPLORE WITHIN YOUR UPCOMING GAME?

Players will be able to explore small open areas in Hell, which will feature twisted and terrifying landscapes, full of twisted and terrifying creatures. These open areas will be designed to be non-linear, allowing players to explore and discover new areas at their own pace. In addition to these open areas, players will also be able to discover and explore different dungeons within the game. I was thinking about randomly generating them, making each playthrough unique and challenging. These dungeons will offer a range of different challenges, such as traps, maybe some puzzles and combat, and will be the main source of loot in the game. The idea behind these dungeons is to give players an extra layer of exploration and to add depth to the game's overall experience.Overall, the game offers a wide variety of areas for players to explore, from small open areas to randomly generated dungeons, that are all set in the realm of Hell. This will give players a unique and immersive experience, where they will face different challenges and discover new and interesting places.

11. COULD WE SEE ANY DARK SOULS ELEMENTS WITHIN THIS GAME?

The game's atmosphere is likely to have a similar dark and atmospheric tone, and the combat may also be challenging and require a level of skill and strategy similar to that of Dark Souls. Additionally, the game also may have a similar sense of exploration, where players will have to discover new areas, secrets, and items in order to progress. The game will also offer a sense of progression and character development, which are also features that are present in the Dark Souls series. Overall, while the game I’m  creating may not be a direct clone of Dark Souls, it may share some similarities in terms of atmosphere, combat, exploration and progression, which could be appealing to fans of the series.

12. WILL THIS GAME HAVE ANY WEATHER DYNAMICS IN THE GAME WHERE THE WEATHER CHANGES
DAILY?

The game may have weather variations such as rain, fire rain, and other types of weather conditions that can affect the player's gameplay. For example, when it rains, the player's visibility may be reduced, making it harder to see certain items or enemies. The fire rain would make the environment more dangerous, and the player may have to take extra care to avoid getting burned. It is worth noting that the weather dynamics in the game will not be too complex, as the game's main focus is on other aspects, but rather it will be used as a tool to enhance the gameplay and atmosphere.

13. TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE BATTLING MECHANICS IN THE GAME?

The game I’m creating is a top-down action game and will feature a variety of battling machines for players to encounter and defeat. The game will be set in a dark and atmospheric environment, and players will have to use a combination of melee and ranged weapons to defeat the different types of creatures and enemies they will encounter, from demons to hellhounds and necromancers that will make players use a combination of strategy, skill, and reflexes to defeat them. The game will also feature different types of weapons and abilities to take them down, and players will have to adapt to the different tactics and attacks that each enemy will use.

14. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME ON DAY ONE?

There are several reasons why people should want to play this game on day one.Firstly, the game is set in a unique and atmospheric environment, with a dark and brooding atmosphere that immerses players in the world of hell. The game's setting will be an exciting experience for players who are looking for a change of pace from traditional fantasy settings.Secondly, the game features a variety of battling machines, each with its own set of attacks and tactics that players will have to master. The game will be challenging and provide a sense of satisfaction when players defeat the different types of enemies they will encounter.The game will feature a combination of melee and ranged weapons, and players will have to use different weapons and abilities to defeat the different types of enemies they will encounter. This will keep the gameplay fresh and exciting, as players will have to adapt to different strategies and tactics to progress through the game.Lastly, the game will be a top-down action game with some RPG elements, which will appeal to a wide range of players who enjoy different game genres. The game will be accessible to players of all skill levels, and will provide a fun and engaging experience that will keep players coming back for more.Overall, with its unique setting, challenging gameplay, and diverse arsenal of weapons and abilities, I hope this game will provide players with a fresh and exciting experience that will keep them engaged from day one.

15. WHEN WILL YOUR UPCOMING GAME RELEASE AND WHAT PLATFORMS WILL IT BE ON?

Hard to say..I was hoping for next year but it’s too early to give an exact date. For now only on PC…but who knows? 

16. WHERE CAN THEY FIND YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

If interested on the progress of the game, I have a YT and Twitter account:

https://www.youtube.com/@spotlessgames6137

https://twitter.com/Spotless_Games