Ep 9: Graeme Struthers, Devolver Digital

In the wake of the release of their first game, Rooftop Renegade, Str8JaktJim talks to Adelaide indie devs Pat Webb (Producer & Game Designer) and John Oestmann (Composer & Sound Design). From its beginnings in the 2018 Global Game Jam and Epic & SA government grants to sound design and issues impacting development, they relive the journey of this wonderful indie gem.

Devolver Digital have developed a reputation for publishing amazing indie games. Jim was luckily enough to chat with Graeme Struthers, one of the Co-Founders of Devolver Digital at PAX Aus 2022. Listen as they talk about indie game devs and how their philosophy towards indie game devs.

The boys chat to Ash Ringrose, head of Aussie game studio, SMG Studio, producing absolute rippers like Death Squared and the legendary Moving Out. It's a must listen for anyone who aspires to get into making games.

Sean Krankel of Night School Studio has lent his name to some very well known creative games works since the late 90's including Crash Bandicoot, Kingdom Hearts 2, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, and even Desperate Housewives: The Game (I fact checked this, it was a thing.) You'll hear how writing, acting, and voicing in triple A studios prepares you for life as an Indie Developer.

Cornelia Geppert is the creative director at Jo-Mei games, yet that titles hardly does her achievements and her story justice. Her game, Sea of Solitude, has won countless awards however its what this game represents as a part of herself that is the most intriguing story I’m yet to come across. You'll hear how her own personal struggles helped to shape the emotive story and direction of her game, and the incredible tale of how she managed to "get away with" playing video games as a child under the shadow of the Berlin wall is inspiring.

Ben Lee is the creative director at Blue Manchu which he co-founded with Jonathan Chey, however that's only the latest in a career spanning 30 years that all started way back in 1991 with Walt Disney. An IGF nominated art director, he’ll take us through his creative process and how to take an idea from a tiny little light inside your head to a stunning interactive landscape.

Derek Bradley took a punt by jumping out of what was an already successful career in creative entertainment to found A44. His journey from working inside a team to now running his own will take you through the challenges of diving out of the frying pan and into the fire to launch Ashen.

Corey and Lori Cole's story continues.

Corey and Lori Cole were destined to find each other and found Transolar Games. Over the next two episodes you'll hear how it all began, the romantic tale of meeting for the first time at a convention back in the pixelated glamour era of the 80's, which took them from big hair to an even bigger dream of launching some amazing creative works on the way to their most recent title – Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.

Chris Charla is the director of the ID@Xbox program and helps independent developers self-publish their games on the Microsoft Xbox platform. Chris started his creative journey when it was all punk rock, with only a few dollars in his pocket, and nothing but a passion for games. Amongst the credits are his historical achievements in stalwarts of games media, in particular as the launch editor for what is now IGN.com. Where better to start than with a man who's job is helping the Indie-stry grow, and is the key to so many Indie-Devs having their work published.