Binary Moon Exclusive Developer Interview for Star Raid
When you’re hankering for an adventure game, you definitely not going to select just any run-of-the-mill game. You’re going to choose something that’s special and challenges you just enough to be fun. It was this notion that led the one-man developer team at Binary Moon to create Star Raid in just two weeks for a recent game jam. Check out our interview with the developer behind this engaging 2D adventure extravaganza and how it came to be.
Hi There! Please give us a quick introduction of Binary Moon. What’s your mission?
Hi! Binary Moon is my online handle, and binarymoon.co.uk is my online home. It’s a name I’ve used on the internet for over 20 years now. But my real name is Ben.
I’m not sure I’d say I have a mission as such — but I am passionate about creating fun, and useful things. I earn a living selling WordPress themes, but I also make things like Brush Ninja, and small games . I’d love to earn a living as a game developer. It’s been a goal ever since I started university in the late 90’s, but it’s not easy to earn a living doing it unfortunately — even harder if you want to do it as an indie developer.
What’s a fun fact that others may not know about yourself?
I used to work in a pet shop.
What made you want to get involved in developing indie games?
I started making small games when I was at university. When I left I made my first indie game, called Rocket Boards. It was a Mario Kart style game on hover boards. Looking back it wasn’t that good — but I found a publisher and made a few thousand pounds selling it to them. You can see screenshots of Rocket Boards, and download the game for free, on my (slightly neglected) games portal. Note that the game may or may not work. I use a Mac now so can’t test it myself.
When that was finished, and didn’t earn me the riches I had hoped for I got a job at Miniclip.com — becoming their 3rd employee. I started there as a game artist, prettying up Flash games they had made, and eventually moved sideways to focus on web development becoming Director of Web Development in the process. I worked there for almost exactly 11 years seeing it grow from a company of 3 people in a tiny office in London, to a company of 200 people in 5 (or more) offices worldwide.
In 2015 I had the opportunity to go it alone — so I did.
What do you do when you’re not developing indie games?
Currently games is a hobby rather than an occupation so I like to make and play them when I get a chance. However I am also a father of a three year old (hence my game Legend of Dad) so that takes up most of my time.
Let’s talk about Star Raid now. This addicting game puts your directional key skills to the test and tests your brain in more ways than one. How did you come up with this concept?
Star Raid started off as me wanting to make a platform game. I’ve always enjoyed Zelda style exploration adventure games so that’s what I thought I would make. Since I made it for a game jam it’s only a single level, and it’s not difficult to finish (although I don’t know anyone who has 100%’d it). I like the idea of non-violent games so I didn’t want to add any enemies or shooting. I feel like the world is the enemy (or antagonist?) and you have to overcome it.
I’d love to continue making Star Raid making more levels and proper puzzles, and adding more moves. I imagine it would be like Metroid in terms of the puzzling and finding additional abilities, but also like No Mans Sky in that there would be an overworld of some sort that you have to explore. to find all these different dungeons/ underground bunkers.
What types of challenges did you encounter in building Star Raid ?
The game jam was only 2 weeks long. I got the basic platforming working quite quickly and then wasted about 5 days trying to get moving platforms working. I had all the basics functioning but riding on it was quite jittery — and not as polished as I would have liked.
Plus, because I wasted so much time on moving platforms I didn’t have a chance to add music or sound effects.
What is your favorite snack to reach for when you’re on a game coding binge?
I have a thing for Reeces peanut butter cups. And hot chocolate, I like to make it really thick, so the spoon stands up.
What lessons have you learned through the stages of development of Star Raid?
I learn new things with every project but, for game jams in particular, I definitely think that I need to focus on the things that work. If I hadn’t wasted a third of the available time trying to make a small feature work then I could have spent more time adding other features.
How do you keep morale up during challenging game dev stretches?
For the game jam, it’s such a short time period that morale doesn’t really drop. But for bigger projects, I like to release early and often. Since I make games for the web first (using javascript) I can easily post things online and get my friends to test them and give me feedback. Positive, constructive, helps everyone. That and music.
Anything you want to tell the Plexstorm community before we sign off?
Keep playing and streaming games! If you stream any of mine, please let me know on Twitter @binarymoon
Being an indie game developer is really difficult so if you can stream any indie games not just mine, then I’m sure people would really appreciate it.
The full version of Star Raid is currently Free to Play!
Be sure to visit and engage with Ben from Binary Moon via the game’s official website and his Twitter page below as well!
Website: https://www.binarymoon.co.uk
As always, thanks for reading and keep on streaming! ❤
