Category Games | Philo Stuff

April 20, 2015 by Philo

Balcony studying & Getting ready for Games Week Berlin!

Ahhhh, doing homework on the balcony during a nice spring day is just THE BEST. Even the most boring texts can’t spoil that. Nah, the text was actually quite alright. Not the kind of thing I choose to read voluntarily, but ok
It was about the comparision of different innovation methodes.

In the afternoon we analyzed the text together.

After finishing up some SGDA and Capsule game tasks I can noooow….
pack for the International Games Week in Berlin :D!

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April 19, 2015 by Philo

gameZ meeting & LUGA presentations

After finishing some organizational stuff in the morning I headed over to the ZHdK for a gameZ association meeting. We talked about the future of our festival (the gameZfestival), possible partnerships and scheduling.

No time for lunch today since we had visitors. Niche and other ZHdK games will be exhibited at the LUGA next week. After an intro presentation by our director Ulrich Götz, each of the students exhibiting a game introduced their projects briefly.

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April 14, 2015 by Philo

Pro Helvetia Pitch

The finale of the Call for projects Swiss Games by Pro Helvetia had come. A big day for both Niche and Tower Offense.
I was quite nervous before our pitch and therefore forgot to take any pictures xD
The finale (consisting of a 5min pitch & 10min question and answer round) took place at the Colab in Zurich. Both our presentations went quite well I think and I can’t wait so receive the results! Our pitches were filmed and I will share them with you soon.
Cool: I got to meet Jana Reinhardt from Rat King

After the pitches, the Niche team went over to Severins (our 3D artist) place. We worked on the game all day and had lots of cool ideas.

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April 9, 2015 by Philo

Pitch training

In the morning we analysed the mechanics of Tennis for Two, the first videogame of history. I was a bit too quick to say that I understand how the mechanics work and our teacher René punished me by making me the others playball
(Pictures says it all)

After that we analysed the ETH game projects. Taking on another groups project, we had to come up with level designs and alternative concepts and present them.

After the pitch training for the “Call for projects” last week, we decided that we want to run a second round. The ZHdK Incubator was so kind to offer us their office space, listen to our presentations and provide us with feedback. The event was entierly open to the public and we had quite a few guests. Now I feel well prepared!

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April 7, 2015 by Philo

ETH game & Niche test

We met up at the ETH today to work on our multiplayer party game. I got to make some lowpoly art

In the evening the Niche movement rework kept me busy. It’s really getting somewhere!

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April 4, 2015 by Philo

PolyLAN

Let’s start with a confession: In the morning I wasn’t very keen to leave my bed and travel all the way from Zurich to Lausanne to attend the PolyLAN. I have never been there before and in the train I constantly asked myself: Is it really worth the 2 x 3h trainride? Markus accompanied me and helped carrying all the equipment, thank you again ^^!

So, the plan was to get there and exhibit Tower Offense, two games made by Kobold Games and Niche who are all part of my “Game Promotion” master thesis. There was a mail floating around that invited indie game developers to the event. I signed up for it, because Tower Offense has a strong E-Sports aspect and Switzerlands biggest LAN is definetly the place to be!
We arrived at the infodesk and were immediately welcomed warmhearted with: “Ah yes, the developers, so nice that you’re here”. First impression: This event is bigger than we expected and the people are really nice!

Stéphane (who is organizing the PolyLAN together with Niels) showed us our exhibition space. It was pretty much in the heart of the event and there was a HUGE TV standing there, waiting for us. Overwhelmed we started setting up the games. People started gathering around our booth and asked us lots of questions about the games and what being an indie game developer is like. A lot of people joined our Tower Offense Alpha Tester base.

Stéphane hurried to and fro to assist us in every possible way and also offered us to join the PolyLAN tournament system. We wanted to run a little Tower Offense tournament anyways so this was perfect! The tournament was quickly added to the schedule and players could compete to earn points. All the points from all tournaments are added up in the end and the winner gets a big price.
And so it started!

The battles where fierce and fun! And here we have our winners! Congrats!!
From left to right:
2. ZabZab
3. Blueur
1. Torrix
4. 69th

The PolyLAN even sponsored prices for them. Sooo nice

Well, let’s come to a conclusion:
The PolyLAN is totally, absolutely, incredibly AWESOME! If I had known what a great day was waiting for me, I would have jumped out of bed in the morning. Thank you so much for having us and all your time and effort to help us!
We will definitely be back and hope that we can build up a whole “Swiss Games corner” next year.

Good news: The PolyLAN is still running!
You can head over and exhibit your games until MO, 06.04.2015.
Let me know if you’d like to get the contact email

in Kobold Games / Marketing / Tower Offense 0 comments

April 4, 2015 by Philo

Kairos Playtesting & Niche movement rework

The day started of with a theory input lesson by our teacher Ulrich. For me it was mostely repetition but I think the new students learned a lot.
In th afternoon we playtested Diego’s boardgame “Kairos”. We gave him LOTS of feedback, let’s see wath he’ll make out of it

After the testing session I headed over to the Inkubator for our first monthly meetup. There were only few people present, so we discussed our progressions and gave each other feedback for improvements. I mostely talked with Ettore, who is building up his business ROBBIANI, about web design and brand identity.

Late at night the urge to work on Niche overcame me. I decided to try out a different approach for the movement inputs.

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March 27, 2015 by Philo

A painty lunch break & Niche research all night

Workshop. Again. Picture. No ranting.

During lunch break some game design students met up for their weekly drawing session with the common topic. The whole thing was Steffis idea and she’s giving us great advice while doodeling. The topic this week was “Fish Rider”. This is what I came up with, my first painting in AGES:

Back home I felt that I need to refresh my knowledge of Population genetics again. We’re currently rethinking some of Niches mechanics and need to be very informed for that. Here‘s a cool video about the topic I found quite informative.

in Master Theory Lesson / Niche - a genetics survival game / Painting 0 comments

March 24, 2015 by Philo

Ranting and some insight to the Niche team meeting xD

Welcome dear friends of fright and horror to another WORKSHOP WEEK! Our teachers: Some “business business” architecture guys, talking about how important it is to be on time and are late constantly. Also, starting a lesson with the words “I’m not prepared at all” is not a good idea. Especially if you than still think everything coming out of your mouth is gold and students are toootally interested in your random thoughts. After some “inputs” we were send out to find and document a so called “Urban Device”.
Andi and me went to the cinéma Abaton to look for our devices there. He chose a movie projector and I decided to document the Selecta vending machine. Mr Popovic, the cinéma boss was so kind to open the machine for me. Hoorray for mister Popovic! Andi and me had fun on our trip, so the day turned out ok.

After school it was time for a Niche team meetup. Actually, it was the first meeting where ALL local team members came together. To celebrate this, we went to the Tibits to have diner together. Was nice to see the whole pack on one table and I’m glad they all get along great so far
We mostly talked about the future of Niche, defining roles and goals. We will soon meet up and tear the whole game apart. Meaning that we will only keep the core mechanics and see what we would change/improve. That might also includes building a small new prototype. I’m really looking forward to this experiment!

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March 20, 2015 by Philo

Fantasy Basel & Pro Helvetia pitch preparation

Spring is coming. It’s so warm and sunny lately. A great way to start a day full of things to do!
After finishing all kinds of organizational stuff in the morning I headed over to the Fantasy Basel office for a meeting. René Bauer, my teacher at the ZHdK, joined us aswell. Swiss Games at the Fantasy Basel, it’s going to be awesome! Stay tuned

After the meeting, I headed over to the Tower Offense office. We worked on our pitch for the Pro Helvetia “Call for projects” presentation. Did lots of research and discovered this Steam tracking site. Have to do the same thing for Niche too…
Let’s hope this will work out!

in SGDA / Tower Offense 0 comments

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