Dean ‘Rocket’ Hall, the visionary behind New Zealand-based studio RocketWerkz, reflects on his gaming journey that began with a Commodore 64. His initial encounter with gaming was not without its challenges; after an intense five-hour session, he found himself feeling quite ill, a moment that solidified his passion for computers. “I think that’s when everyone figured out I was really into computers,” he recalls with a hint of nostalgia.
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<span class="personname”>Dean Hall is currently steering the development of Icarus, a space survival game that has recently turned a profit after a tumultuous launch and extensive updates. “Since the [Steam] Winter Sale, we’ve been making about three times as much each day as we spend,” Hall shares, hinting at plans to invest in a new, ambitious project reminiscent of DayZ or ArmA.
When it comes to his gaming habits, Hall is an avid player of RimWorld, boasting an impressive 1,400 hours logged, with a recent spike of 140 hours in just a week. His passion for the game is evident as he engages with its story generator, often creating unique settings, such as a Dune-inspired world. “I’ve actually released two mods for RimWorld in the last week. My current mod is the most popular on the Steam workshop,” he proudly states, showcasing his commitment to the gaming community.
What was the previous game you played, and is it still installed?
Hall’s gaming repertoire is diverse, with a recent fondness for Ostranauts, a game he has revisited multiple times, racking up at least 150 hours each playthrough. “It’s still installed. They’ve just announced when the next update’s coming out,” he notes, expressing excitement for the upcoming Fire in the Hold update, which promises to introduce ship-to-ship combat and new internal threats.
His gaming history also includes a deep connection with XCOM, particularly the original from the ’90s, which he has played extensively. “I have a thing I do with mods, and I’ve been playing on and off for the past year, putting in around 600 hours,” he reveals, showcasing his dedication to the game.
What is the highest number of hours you have in any given game, according to Steam?
Hall’s gaming journey has led him to accumulate nearly 5,000 hours in Stationeers, a title developed by his own studio. Despite its rocky launch, his affection for the game remains unwavering. “I just adore it,” he admits. Kerbal Space Program follows closely behind, with over 2,000 hours logged, a testament to his long-standing relationship with the game and its vibrant modding community.
What game will you never, ever uninstall?
Among his favorites is Space Station 13, a multiplayer role-playing game that has captivated him for years. Hall has created a character named Colton Murphy, who he plays across different iterations of the game. “The social aspect is what I enjoy most,” he explains, highlighting the connections formed with fellow players.
What’s a piece of non-gaming software installed on your PC that you simply couldn’t live without?
On the non-gaming front, Hall’s go-to software is Rider, a programming development environment that enhances his efficiency in game development. “I find I’m much faster reading and writing with text than I am doing visual scripting,” he states, emphasizing his preference for a text-based approach.
Generally, how tidy is your desktop screen?
When it comes to organization, Hall maintains an exceptionally clean desktop. “My desktops get nuked essentially every few months,” he explains, attributing this to both security measures and his development process. With multiple PCs and cloud-based storage, he is accustomed to starting fresh, ensuring a seamless experience when testing his games. “If I had a garden—I live in an apartment—I would go and spray insecticide on it every three months to keep it clean,” he quips, illustrating his meticulous approach to both his work and digital environment.
