Devolver Digital’s diverse lineup of WASD products
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As the world gradually emerges from lockdown and video games — and the people who make and play them — finally emerge from the world of livestreaming, Zoom is calling for some time in the sun and fresh air. WASD is a brand new consumer event coming to London’s Tobacco Docks where developers, publishers and players can all meet personally Immerse yourself in their shared passion. Or, you know, network and discover future prospects. It doesn’t matter which cup you drink the adage is true.
WASD kicks off April 7-9 and is themed around the London Games Festival, which will host dozens of indie games as well as big-budget games. Confirmed so far will include Triple Hill Interactive’s 1v1 action fighting game Die by the Blade, Team Junkfish’s survival horror game Monstrum 2, and LCB Game Studio’s “pixel pulp” Mothmen 1966.
Well-known indie publisher Team17, along with Thunderful Games and Goblinz Studio, will bring a series of games to the event – the latter will bring attendees four games to keep them hooked, while Thunderful has Nine the title of the show. So it’s safe to say there’s a lot of work to be done, and that’s before we take part in an industry panel discussion covering everything from the latest trends to entering the industry.
One of the biggest jewels in WASD’s crown was the presence of renowned independent publisher Devolver Digital at the event. The dynamic publisher has been wary of the games it brings, keeping them tightly in their gloves (it’s freezing cold right now) and keeping them out of sight. But now the cards are gone, the cats are gone, and the beans are everywhere: join us for a chat with marketing manager Robbie Paterson about Devolver’s WASD lineup and the state of indie releases in 2022.
PCGamesN: What can attendees expect from WASD’s Devolver Digital area?
Robbie Patterson: A slew of great new games — including the public debuts of Cult of the Lamb and Trek to Yomi — and an overwhelming atmosphere of self-importance. We’ll also welcome our amazing team of cosplayers, as well as developers Nerial, Firefly, Sos, and more! The full lineup is: Cult of the Lamb, Trek to Yomi, McPixel 3, Shadow Warrior 3, Terra Nil, Card Shark, Inscryption, Death’s Door and Loop Hero. We could even get our finance and legal teams on board; they should be out for a few days.
Cult of the Lamb and Trek to Yomi first opened to the public on the show. What can you tell us about them and what kind of response would you like to see?
We have always been proud of the diversity of our games
Cult of the Lamb is an endearing roguelike about running a cult in a crumbling world of ritual and destruction. You play as a cute little lamb who is rescued and then possessed by an ominous being bent on world domination. So, through a combination of combat, black magic, and the necessary sacrifices, you set out to recruit followers, grow your commune, and destroy false prophets.
Trek to Yomi, on the other hand, is a cinematic action-adventure game inspired by the classic films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. You play as a young swordsman who has vowed to protect his town and the people he loves from all threats, but in the face of tragedy and responsibility, he transcends life and death to find his true identity.
It’s really exciting to watch people finally play them. I think they will be pleasantly surprised! We’ve always been proud of the diversity of our games, and I don’t think the difference between the two could be greater, so hopefully people will see that we have something for everyone.
Games like Terra Nil also benefit from digital demos at events like Steam Next Fest. How does the feedback compare to live events like WASD?
It’s vital for us to make sure all our developers are taken care of
Everyone turned to online events or public demos out of necessity, and yes, we were able to measure more of their impact, but the in-person events were a big part of what got Devolver to this point, and it’s also a great way for developers or publishers to come and go. That said, there’s no better feedback than seeing people play your game in front of you. But events mean more than that to us, because they are also opportunities to meet fans and meet friends. It also helps maintain the illusion that Devolver is actually composed of real people, at least in part.
WASD will actually be our first in-person event in Europe since Gamescom 2019, so we’re excited to not only be back on the field, but to be part of an all-new event. Our company exists entirely online, in the home office, in the couch and in the bedroom. Our uniform is pajamas and blankets. We got together as many as we could before the pandemic, and we hope this year is the beginning of their return.
It has been a turbulent few years for the industry and the rest of the world. How would you describe the current industry landscape for small developers? Has it become more challenging, or have new opportunities emerged?
At the risk of fidgeting, I think both. For example, we certainly had challenges with developers moving to remote work, but the whole situation affects everyone differently.
Where some struggle, others thrive. It is critical for us to ensure that all of our developers are taken care of, and if plans need to be changed to accommodate this, so be it.
Devolver blazed the trail for independent publishers, and everyone seems to be dabbling in the business these days. Does it feel like you have more competition now? Does the company have to change the way it responds?
We love making games together, so our goal is to keep doing that, maybe overnight
Well, I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but we actually took the company public last year, so of course we’ve evolved! This gives us the opportunity to welcome some of our best developer friends into Devolver’s warm embrace, which is rad and means we have the resources to work on games that may not have been viable for us before.
I like that more companies are getting into the indie space because it proves that these games are worth investing in and that indie developers should continue to be supported. Some developers or publishers may grow and become more successful over time, but there will always be room for truly indie games who will always generate unique and interesting ideas.
Has Devolver changed significantly since it went public?
Yes, we all have yachts now. Fast.
Devolver has also made some acquisitions. What is the relationship with the studio? What is the long-term goal behind the acquisition?
Dodge Roll, Nerial, Firefly, and Croteam are our friends, and we love making games together, so our goal is to keep doing that, maybe overnight.
What’s next for acquisitions? Amazon? Square Enix? moon?
We actually plan to announce Devolver Island in 2029! A multi-purpose resort and development haven for established gaming celebrities.
Sounds interesting? You can buy your tickets for WASD 2022 here.
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