Psychological Engine (ft. Lucid Rain Studios)
The Episode
Lucid Rain Studios, a game development studio based in Edmonton, Canada, discusses their journey and the game they are working on called Inferious. The studio was founded in 2021 and has been experiencing growth and opportunities in the indie game community. They emphasize the importance of playing the long game and setting realistic goals for their studio. Inferious is a first-person horror game with deck-building elements, inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy and Lovecraftian themes. The game focuses on psychological and cosmic horror, creating an atmosphere of fear and the unknown. The team is working on showcasing the game through social media, conferences, and events, and they are planning to release a demo in the near future.
Lucid Rain Studios discusses the importance of support and mentorship in the game development industry. They highlight the value of networking, finding a support network, and connecting with industry experts. The studio has received support from organizations like Shred Capital, which provides mentorship and resources to indie studios. They emphasize the significance of learning about the business side of game development and the importance of balancing artistic vision with the needs of the customer. Lucid Rain Studios believes that having a strong support network and access to industry knowledge is crucial for the success and longevity of a studio. The conversation explores the importance of creating a studio culture that promotes fun, productivity, innovation, and collaboration. The guests discuss the need for studios to look beyond individual projects and focus on long-term sustainability. They emphasize the value of supporting and uplifting other studios rather than competing with them. The guests also share their inspirations for game development, including indie films, indie games, and AAA studios. They highlight the importance of accessibility, immersion, and impactful gameplay experiences. In this final part of the conversation, the guests discuss their influences and favorite moments in gaming. They mention games like Inside and Outer Wilds as big influences on their game design journey. They also talk about their love for movies like Interstellar and their interest in making a psychological horror game in space. Delena shares her favorite moments from playing Strange Horticulture and emphasizes the emotional impact that a good story can have. They also discuss the importance of music and sound design in games and the need for more recognition and support for indie developers.
Takeaways
Lucid Rain Studios has experienced growth and opportunities in the indie game community
Inferious is a first-person horror game with deck-building elements, inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy and Lovecraftian themes
The game focuses on psychological and cosmic horror, creating an atmosphere of fear and the unknown
The team is working on showcasing the game through social media, conferences, and events
They are planning to release a demo in the near future Building a support network and connecting with industry experts is crucial for success in game development.
Learning about the business side of game development is essential for long-term sustainability.
Balancing artistic vision with the needs of the customer is important for creating successful games.
Access to mentorship and resources can help indie studios grow and scale their businesses.
Finding a support network and participating in industry events can provide valuable opportunities and knowledge. Create a studio culture that promotes fun, productivity, innovation, and collaboration.
Look beyond individual projects and focus on long-term sustainability.
Support and uplift other studios instead of competing with them.
Draw inspiration from various sources, including indie films, indie games, and AAA studios.
Prioritize accessibility, immersion, and impactful gameplay experiences. Games like Inside and Outer Wilds have been influential in shaping the guests' game design journey.
Movies like Interstellar have also had an impact on their creative process.
The emotional impact of a good story in games can leave a lasting impression.
Music and sound design play a crucial role in the immersion and engagement of players.
There is a need for more recognition and support for indie developers.
Important Links
Lucid Rain Studios on Instagram
