Painted Peril recently secured the second position in The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki, showcasing a unique roguelike experience crafted by a dedicated team from Finland. This game invites players to explore the vibrant world of color magic, where combining hues creates powerful spells.
Insights from the Developer
The Very Big Indie Pitch operates as a “speed-dating” style competition, offering developers a mere five minutes to present their creations to a panel of industry experts. Following this brief introduction, participants rotate to different tables, repeating the process four to five times. This format not only sharpens pitching skills but also fosters valuable connections with press members, seasoned developers, and industry insiders.
Emil Ekroth, one of the developers behind Painted Peril, shared insights into the journey of their indie studio. The project began approximately 1.5 years ago as a university course initiative at Chalmers University of Technology, where a group of six students collaborated to develop the initial prototype. Their efforts were recognized at the Gotland Game Conference, where they won the Jury Spotlight Award.
After the conference, some team members continued to work on the game sporadically while pursuing their studies. This summer, the remaining developers reignited their passion for the project, committing to its completion and exploring its future potential.
In Painted Peril, players assume the role of Sylvia the squirrel, navigating a sprawling cave system to return to her treehouse. The gameplay revolves around a dynamic combination of color effects and spellcasting mechanics, allowing players to mix spells on the go. Sylvia can absorb colors from enemies, each hue serving as a unique building block with distinct effects, such as draining health or igniting foes.
The game also features various bottles that influence spell behavior, encouraging players to experiment with color combinations and tactical decisions to succeed in each encounter.
The Challenges of Indie Development
Emil candidly addressed the challenges faced by indie developers, noting that while survival in this space can be tough, it is also immensely rewarding. The role demands versatility, as developers juggle responsibilities across game design, system engineering, marketing, and business management. Maintaining a limited budget while staying motivated during overwhelming times is crucial for success.
Reflections on the Pitching Experience
The experience of pitching at The Very Big Indie Pitch proved to be enlightening for the team. The fast-paced format required them to distill their game’s essence into concise, impactful presentations. Emil found it both challenging and rewarding to convey the complexity of their game succinctly while engaging with judges and addressing their inquiries.
A key takeaway from this experience was the importance of simplicity in communication, hinting at the deeper gameplay systems without overwhelming the audience.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, the team is exploring various publishing avenues for Painted Peril, including seeking interested publishers and preparing for potential self-publishing on Steam. While future projects remain undecided, the journey of Painted Peril continues to unfold with excitement and promise.
For those eager to showcase their own innovative games, opportunities abound at our Very Big Indie Pitch events throughout the year. Stay tuned to our events page for updates, as applications for Pocket Gamer Connects London are now open and filling up quickly!
