ALDORLEA MAGAZINE - JAN. 25, 2011
AN INTERVIEW WITH OVER CLOUD 9!
I have just finished playing Arevan, and must say, I was totally delighted with
it. It particularly amazes me that this is her first commercial production. I'm
sure we are all looking forward to enjoying many more of her creations, and we
would all love to learn a bit more about her! So, Overcloud has graciously agreed
to spend a few minutes telling us a bit about herself!
Titaness:
First, I'm dying to know, what was the inspiration for your name? Here in America,
there is a colloquialism "floating on cloud 9" which refers to a supreme feeling
of contentment and joy. Is Over Cloud 9 derived from that?
Overcloud:
Actually, I would have chosen 'Day_dreamer" as my user name, but then it had become
too common. I wanted a name that would reflect a dreamy, ethereal feeling. I know
the usual connotation of the term 'over cloud 9' like you described. But, my purpose
was to imagine a place which is higher than the highest heights (both in terms of
altitude or contentment). Cloud 9 means the summit of all clouds literally, so
something that is over that is completely out of the world. So that is how over
cloud 9 was born.
Titaness:
That is a wonderful way to choose a name, and it fits you perfectly! Now, may I ask,
how long did the creation of Arevan take? I've heard from others that they actually
spent years working on their first production, and it was changed many times before
finally being ready.
Over Cloud:
Arevan was developed really fast, in 5 months. It would have taken lesser time, but
some unexpected circumstances delayed it. The point was to create a deep story that
gives players a food for thought. One that is not stretched...but one which is short
yet power packed with some food for thought. The characters, both the heroes and the
villains were not ordinary good and bad types, they had complicated personalities.
The entire stress has been more on the story than anything else. About the time taken
to get the game done, it was possible to make it quickly, because it was shorter than
usual RPGs.
Titaness:
Actually, I thought it was a nicely sized game... It took me about 20 hours, and
left me longing for more, which is certainly not a bad thing! When did you first
decide to be a game maker? Was it a childhood dream? And, was there a particular
game that so "moved" you that you decided to try doing it yourself?
Over Cloud:
Honestly speaking, making games wasn't quite driven by passions, but rather business
needs... lol. I never imagined that I would be making games until I started making
one. Stories in all the RPGs I have played so far, were really an inspiration to get
into game making. I was happy writing walkthroughs, until I found that I have another
latent capability which I could exploit - story writing and game designing. I
personally think, a game is the single best possible manifestation of all forms of art,
because here you get to put graphical art, musical art, literature (the story/theme),
and game design (the art of putting all artwork together, ;) all in one single
thing, apart from the technology which breathes life into it. So, a game is basically
the compound art formed of many artistic elements (forgive my affinity to scientific
definitions +:oops: ).
Titaness:
Very beautifully expressed, Over Cloud! Next, is game making a "sideline" for you, or
do you intend to make this your career? If not, we'd love to know what sort of goals
you have for your future employment. Or, for that matter, are you presently working
in a particular area of interest?
Over Cloud:
I'm quite serious about game making, and my business in general. I even left my job
last year for that :) . I don't want to be just another game developer, which is
why I'm shifting to Bangalore next month to learn hands on 3D gaming, and work jointly
on future game projects. I want to make fewer number of games each year, but each
should be a noteworthy piece in itself. Not that I'm too focused on creativity that
I'd miss the business aspect of it. But, its just that I want to stretch myself to my
limits, and get the most out of what I can do, and prove it by my work.
When I started
Over Cloud 9, I started from scratch - no experience in the gaming sector, no
knowledge or training in games, no one to back me up or help me, no idea of doing business..
I mean I was just a novice. Whatever I have now, is the outcome of my unrelenting research
and improvement of the existing base. I was always a day dreamer and a sort of an idealist,
and I knew no matter what I do, it will always be driven by my passion to make it the best.
So here I am, driven to sway players with deep and complicated plots, breath taking graphics,
and mesmerizing music.... though I still think as a game maker I have a long way to go.
Titaness:
Wow, now I am truly excited to see what you'll have for us in the future!!
Have you been inspired by any other game makers? I know you are a member of the
Aldorlea community, so would assume you have played all of those wonderful games.
Did Indinera's "Tricksterly" ways influence your own creation of challenging
puzzles?
Over Cloud:
LOL, I think all the game makers I know are my inspirations to make a career out of
game making. I have a soft corner for Indy's websites coz Laxius Force was the first
community where I actively participated, when I first came to know about RPGs. Elder
Prince's game made me write my first walkthrough, and that was the point from which
my life started to change. So, I have a soft spot for BlossomSoft as well. I derived
inspirations of the puzzle from Elder's creations, and another RPG called Master of
The Wind. Apart from that, Rifle100 has been awesome in her suggestions when it
came to unique puzzles like the football, or some tweaks in the story. Game devs like
Indy, Daniel, Sharon Hanlon, Amanda, Eridani, and Elder Prince gave me 'wowmazing'
support when I sought their advice or suggestions. I have no words to describe what
they mean to me....
Titaness:
Yep, you are indeed amongst a talented bunch of creative minds!! I've heard more
than a few say "wish I had a Strategy Guide". As we all know, you are the master
"walk through" expert. Any chance you will be considering releasing them with your games in the future, as it does seem to be becoming more popular to offer one with
the games.
Over Cloud:
I have been contemplating getting some serious walkthrough writers for my website,
as I can't manage to fulfill all the walkthrough requests alone all by myself. It's
difficult getting writers who are committed to gaming, and with sufficient time on
their hands. My search is on, let's see what I can do about it.
Titaness:
Do you write your own story lines, or is there someone else who does that? Are
there more stories you already have in mind for the future?
Over Cloud:
I like writing my own stories, coz I love incorporating depth and thought in them.
A good story is the heart of an RPG, so I take immense care to get the best one.
Story writing is at its best only when the creative frenzy flashes across....for
me at least. +::biggrin That is why I don't keep thinking of newer stories easily,
as each character, each plot, has to have a good understanding of why and how
things are going to happen, and add depth to it. Currently, my creativity tank is
drained and empty :)
It will take some time for me to think of some thought
provoking story, again. However, to keep up with the timeline and flow of game
development business in general, probably I shall be taking a story from one of
my friends in my next commercial project, who is very much interested in game
making. We are working on it together, but it will take some time.
Titaness:
And most importantly, will there be an Arevan sequel on the horizon in the
near future??? Please, please, please.......say yes. We are all eagerly awaiting
it!!
Over Cloud:
Yes..but I will take time...and will probably get done after I get another one or
two different game done in between. I want to carefully think of the story and
make it deep instead of getting something done in a jiffy to keep it up as its
sequel. I like doing one thing at a time to give it my best shot ;) LOL, I really
want players who loved Arevan to patiently allow me this much time at least
to get the best of it.
Titaness:
HEHEHE....Well, I'll try to contain myself, but it won't be easy!! Finally, is there
anything about you that you would like to share with your rapidly increasing fans?
What are your motivations and dreams for the future as an Indie game creator?
Over Cloud:
LOL, if you give me a chance to speak, I will probably make you doze off, while I'd
keep talking about myself :) . In short, if you have followed through my
answers to your previous questions, you would have got a brief idea of what you
wanted to know. I'd rather define 'day dreaming' as my passion, as it is my 'dreams'
which have kept my life flowing in a direction where I wanted it to go....in spite
of all the problems and obstacles that had cropped up from time to time. Like I said,
I love giving my 100% to what I do, and my motivation comes from how the player is
able to connect themselves with my work. Instead of revealing my plans of future,
let me implement them and prove my dreams. ;)
Titaness:
Now that is an excellent idea, Over Cloud! Bring your dreams to us, so that we may
share the "dreams" with you! It has been a pleasure getting to know you better! You
are an inspiration to me, personally, as well as all those who are enthralled by
this wonderful genre! We look forward to watching you grow and develop even
further into one of the great game makers of the future!
Titaness
