Category «Videos»

Making-of episode 4 and new screens

Two years ago we had a fully playable version that still neglected story completely, but the triangles worked together with the level design, finally. At this time we heard of other developers trying out "early access", which had the more precise name "alpha funding", back then (or in our case even pre-alpha funding ...). I loved playing these games and seeing diamonds-in-a-rough developing into more playable and polished games with every update.

I analysed everything I found out about these alphas and wrote down The pros and cons of making a game alpha. At the same time we decided to jump into the cold water to try this infamous new method to get early feedback and funding with TRI. The funding didn't work out, but the feedback was pretty motivating. For the first time we had feedback from players and we realized what Early Access really meant: whatever you plan your game to be, players might have their own visions or show you issues that you wouldn't have recognized without somebody playing the game that isn't you.

This version isn't available (anymore), although I wonder if this is fair, since people paid for it. And the current version doesn't look anything like the current one. So, for those of you who missed out this experience, Friedrich and I played it for you again.


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Of course we also push TRI forward, instead of just looking in its past. At the moment we try to fix little nasty bugs, polish finished levels with physicalized or animated objects and smooth out puzzles or paths that people got stuck in. Have a look at some of the examples:

At the moment we also work on cutscenes, finishing monologue and story text and mentally prepare for attending the Gamescom in Cologne in August. And finishing the whole project ... somehow ... soon.

The Golden Sparrow – Der Goldene Spatz 2014

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Last week we received the 'Goldener Spatz' (means 'Golden Sparrow') for TRI. The award is not only a very beautiful pipe-blown glass sparrow, but important for us for mainly one reason: the jury consisted of children only!

The children that applied and were selected for the jury position were all boys, so they were aptly called GameBoys. They were not just asked to play games and choose one among them for the award; the children also needed to be able to articulate what they like, what not, and why. Therefore we received their statement printed on the certificate together with the cute little Golden Sparrow.

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We like the idea that the Children's Media Festival does not only award movies, games and websites for children, but also let them form their own opinion. A jury so young has an interesting advantage as well: the opinions were mostly created without tactical or political decisions. They presumably didn't consider trends nor fame, but followed purely personal taste.

Maybe I interpret too much into this, but it was highly enjoyable for Friedrich to talk to them after the award ceremony in Erfurt, Germany, and hear their thoughts concerning our game TRI. We like how much they engaged with the game, developed their own ideas for what could be added and also were not too shy to criticize it.

We realized, by receiving an award made for and by children, that we should totally aim for children as an audience. Especially because TRI is challenging but non-violent, imaginative, and it triggers what most children love most: curiosity and exploration.

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Photos by Florian Hohmann @hohse

EGX Rezzed, Amaze and Making-of part 3

Birmingham - EGX Rezzed 2014

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The REZZED, including 2 days of visiting Birmingham, were a blast! The convention is full of interesting games, diverse genres, from AAA to smaller and very experimental indie titles. It was really fun and rewarding to be chosen for the nicely arranged Leftfield Collection. And to have TRI presented to young kids, families, a whole bunch of YouTubers, and curious players for the first time after two years of work was a really good feeling! Of course, meeting other devs and talking about their games was pretty cool, as well.


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I really feel that I should have written more about the Rezzed, since our days in Birmingham were absolutely enjoyable and also important for us, to show the game around. But unfortunately, we take the final sprint to the release of TRI, which makes writing up all the events nearly impossible.

A Maze Berlin 2014

At least I have to mention that we visited the third edition of Germany's very international Indie Festival A Maze in April, again. Being there is always a big highlight of our year! It feels almost like coming home to the place where you belong. The A Maze is a crazy colorful exhibition with all sorts of games you might or might not imagine. From weird stuff you never fully understand, to multiplayer games you can play for hours, to pieces of art and artistic expression, students' works and polished diamonds smash hits. Not to forget workshops and talks. This festival is always so fully packed with interesting people, enlightening talks and fun games that I just get crazy, not knowing where to jump first.

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Making-of TRI episode 3

For the lack of written blog posts we made this third episode of our making-of story. This time we talk about our first prototype and why it was scrapped, again.


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We soon have some fresh news for you at the end of the month, as we're working on the Steam integration! Until then we need to give this guy here more interaction, voice and animation.

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