One of the most recognizable figures in the Minecraft universe, Joe “Stampy” Garrett, known for his engaging and family-friendly content, has transitioned from his successful YouTube career to a new role in game development. Currently serving as a producer at the esteemed Scottish studio 4J Studios, Garrett is now focused on the ambitious project, Reforj, which aims to challenge existing titles like Hypixel.
Embracing Creativity in Game Development
During a recent visit to the London Games Fest’s New Game Plus event, we had the opportunity to delve into Garrett’s vision for Reforj. The conversation revealed a refreshing approach to game development, one that prioritizes creativity and community engagement over rigid planning. When asked about how the team manages to balance innovative ideas with the core elements of the game, Garrett candidly admitted that they do not impose strict limitations on their creativity.
“I don’t think we do very well. Like, we know we have the long-term plan. We know there’s some big things we want to have, like vehicles. The engine’s really good at vehicles. We have vehicles in the engine. They’re not in the game yet, but they were in kind of previous demos that were created,” he explained. The team is well aware of the significant features they aim to incorporate, such as gateways and other major components, yet they remain flexible when it comes to smaller additions.
Garrett emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping the game’s development. “We’re listening to the community so much, any little suggestions or like… ‘add furniture or things’,” he noted, acknowledging that while some ideas may seem minor, they can require substantial effort from the team. This agile approach allows them to implement changes quickly, ensuring that they remain aligned with player interests.
He further elaborated on their strategy: “If we spend months and months working on a thing, and then we show it to the community, and they’re not interested in it, or they say, ‘oh, it could have been like this’, we’ve just wasted loads of time, right?” To mitigate this risk, the team shares early concepts and gray box stages of their work with the community, gathering feedback before investing significant resources into animation or sound design.
The development of Reforj is ongoing, and the team is eager to continue refining the game with input from its community. As they navigate the creative landscape of game development, their commitment to collaboration and adaptability stands as a testament to their ambition and vision for the future.
