- Floppy Club is a team of four individuals dedicated to incorporating musical elements into games
- Their game Rytmos was honored with an Apple Design Award
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While major game studios often dominate headlines with their next big releases, independent game developers are also making waves with unique and innovative game experiences. In this series, we shine a light on these indie studios and solo developers who bring fresh perspectives to the gaming industry.
In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Niels Böttcher and Asger Strandby from Floppy Club. They shared their passion for intertwining music with gaming, showcased in their award-winning title Rytmos.
PocketGamer.biz: Can you tell us a little about yourselves and your experience in the gaming industry?
Niels Böttcher and Asger Strandby: We established Floppy Club about five years ago, bringing years of individual game development experience to the table. Niels freelanced for companies like Ustwo and LEGO, while Asger worked with Press Play and Flashbulb Games.
At the core of Floppy Club’s vision is a mutual passion for music, which led us to form the studio and focus on games that integrate music creation as a central gameplay element.
After several failed prototypes, we eventually found the core of what the game is today.
Let’s talk about games! Your music puzzle game Rytmos received critical acclaim. Can you share insights on the development process and challenges faced?
The concept for Rytmos was inspired by music sequencers, with a key emphasis on patterns within beats and melodies. Despite initial challenges, we refined the gameplay to focus on creating intuitive, free-flowing puzzles that encourage player creativity.
Designing puzzles with a musical component required meticulous iteration to achieve the perfect balance of engaging gameplay and harmonious sounds. Each puzzle underwent multiple revisions to ensure it complemented the music seamlessly.
It took ages to create the music in the game, as it had to be redesigned every time a puzzle was changed.
Creating music in Rytmos was a unique challenge, as the puzzles directly influenced the musical direction. This dynamic process added depth to the gameplay experience and pushed the boundaries of traditional game sound design.
The game’s availability on mobile, PC, and Switch required intricate porting. How did you tackle this multi-platform approach, and will future titles follow suit?
Securing a seasoned developer’s assistance for the Switch port was instrumental in ensuring successful adaptation across platforms. Going forward, our game development strategy will prioritize cross-platform compatibility.
Rytmos’ accolades, including an Apple Design Award, recognize your game’s innovation. How does it feel to receive such prestigious recognition?
Winning awards like the Apple Design Award was truly unexpected and immensely gratifying. The recognition reinforces our dedication to crafting unique gaming experiences and validates the effort invested in game development.
The Apple Design Award, in particular, came completely out of the blue. To be honest, we actually thought it was a scam when we received the first email from Apple.
Making games is a labor of love, blending creativity with hard work. Receiving nominations and awards serves as a reminder that our passion for game development resonates with players and industry experts alike.
As an independent studio, what are the challenges and advantages you face in the gaming industry today?
Securing funding and sustaining a viable business model remain significant hurdles for independent studios. Despite these challenges, creative freedom serves as a paramount advantage, allowing us to explore innovative ideas and experiment with unconventional game concepts.
Copenhagen’s game development landscape is thriving, fostering a collaborative indie game community. Studios like Geometric Interactive, Flashbulb, and Playdead contribute unique gaming experiences to the industry.
At the moment, Copenhagen is actually a super nice city for game development.
The supportive environment encourages creativity and innovation, making Copenhagen an ideal hub for indie game developers.
Any upcoming projects on the horizon? Can we expect more games with a musical emphasis from Floppy Club?
We are currently developing new games that continue to explore the fusion of music and gameplay. Our studio remains dedicated to creating immersive experiences that integrate music as a core element.
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