BOB A THOUSAND LIVES/ THE LAST THREE INTERVIEW

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

The first game that made me fall in love with gaming was probably a hedgehog-themed platformer on the Commodore 16 back in the ancient times. If I remember correctly, its name was Spiky Harold. I loved the colorful graphics, cheerful music, and challenging levels. I always looked forward to what would come next on the screen. 

2. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO GAME DEVELOPMENT? 

I got into game development because I wanted to bring my own ideas to life and share them with others. Games, for me, are not just entertainment but also art. I believe games can tell stories that other mediums cannot, and working with players to create a unique experience is something special.

 3. SINCE YOU ARE A SOLO DEV WHAT OTHER GAMES HAVE YOU WORKED ON BEFORE BOB A THOUSAND LIVES?

I haven't worked on any games before Bob; it's essentially my first project. Throughout my life, I've been involved in various creative and computer-related activities, so it was only a matter of time before I ventured into game development. 

4. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME BOB A THOUSAND LIVES? 

The inspiration behind the name was that the protagonist, Bob, dies multiple times but always comes back to life. This mechanic symbolizes Bob's inability to let go of his past and the constant opportunity he has to change his fate. The game explores the symbolism of infinite renewal and continuity, and this theme permeates the entire experience. Even Bob's name remains the same, no matter how you read it.

 5. TELL US ABOUT THE SETTING BEHIND BOB A THOUSAND LIVES?

The game is set in a dark and oppressive world where Bob finds himself after his death. The world is filled with fragments of his past, allowing him to recover some memories from before his demise. It's fraught with dangers, traps, and enemies that try to hinder Bob from reaching his goal. The game presents a simultaneous presence of past, present, and future, revealing details to players in small increments.

 6. WHAT ENGINE ARE YOU USING FOR THIS GAME AND WHY?

I used the Unreal Engine for the game because, for me, it was the best choice for the game's style and goals. Unreal Engine allowed me to create beautiful 2.5D graphics and logically program the gameplay and physics. It offered numerous possibilities and assistance for game development, perfectly meeting my requirements. 

7. THE LAST THREE IS THE NEWEST GAME THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON TOO SO TELL US ABOUT THE IDEA OF THE TITLE OF THIS GAME?

 The Last Three is my latest project, and although it's a platformer, it has an entirely different atmosphere than Bob A Thousand Lives. The Last Three is about the last three stone tigers living as a family until alien creatures invade their world and separate the mother tiger from the family. That's all I can say about it for now. :)

 8. WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN'T SPEAK TOO MUCH ON THE LAST THREE SO WITH BOB A THOUSAND TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE GAMEPLAY MACHINCS IN THE GAME?

 In Bob A Thousand Lives, one of the crucial elements of gameplay is death and resurrection. Bob often needs to die multiple times to progress, making it inherently challenging. The game is very difficult and often frustrating, intentionally conveying Bob's suffering and the severity of his situation. Additionally, most enemies respawn periodically, eliminating the possibility of rest for players. There are numerous checkpoints, but they do not serve as save points. Save points are only found after completing each level gate, and their keys are scattered throughout the world, making it a challenging experience for players. Bob not only faces physical obstacles but also psychological ones. To overcome these and progress, Bob must use his basic abilities, such as a sudden flash of light to illuminate dark areas, a periodic light shield that can destroy enemies upon activation, a light orb for enemy destruction, and, of course, jumping

. 9. WHAT TYPE OF ENEMIES CAN YOU BATTLE AGAINST IN THE GAME?

 In the game, Bob encounters various enemies, each stemming from different focal points of his past and forming from his own fears. From the background, he may even meet former friends, while some enemies represent manifestations of his fears. However, there are also helpful alternative versions of himself that appear in critical moments, providing guidance. 

10. WHAT ABILITIES CAN YOU ACQUIRE IN BOB A THOUSAND LIVES? 

Bob doesn't acquire special abilities in the game; all his unique abilities are available from the beginning. 

11. DO BOB A THOUSAND LIVES HAVE BOSS BATTLES AND IF SO WHAT TYPES OF BOSSES CAN WE EXPECT? 

Yes, there are bosses in the game that appear intermittently throughout the story, forcing Bob to flee. To defeat them, players need to avoid direct confrontation, and if successful, they might eliminate them.

 12. ARE THERE PLANS FOR DLC IN THE FUTURE?

 Since the release, the game has continuously evolved, and in June 2023, an enhanced and expanded edition called Bob A Thousand Lives Enhanced Edition was released. Currently, the original edition is not available, only the enhanced one, which I continue to develop and improve to this day. While I haven't considered DLC specifically, nothing is ruled out. Perhaps, with time, a sequel could emerge in the future, but who knows?

 13. THE BILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: WHY SHOULD PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY BOB A THOUSAND LIVES? 

If someone enjoys challenging games, platformers, and rage-inducing experiences, then there's no question. In my opinion, it's worth enduring the difficulties just for the story to find out how Bob's journey concludes. I won't claim it's easy, but with the right perseverance, players are sure to succeed—especially those inclined to such challenges. 

14. WHEN WILL BOB A THOUSAND LIVES RELEASE AND WHAT PLATFORM WILL IT BE ON? 

Bob A Thousand Lives Enhanced Edition has been available on the Epic Games Store for PC since June of last year, and if all negotiations go smoothly, the game might be available on all console platforms in 2024. 

15. WHERE CAN THEY FIND YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

 I'm primarily active on Twitter, but you may also find me in other places, including IndieDB, where Bob A Thousand Lives Enhanced Edition secured an impressive fourth place among 10,000 nominees in the 2023 Indie Game of the Year competition. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the supportive community, and I want to express my gratitude here. Thank you very much for the opportunity! Best, Csaba