Infinite Summer 2022: Valeria Developer Interview
We got the exciting opportunity to talk with the developer working on an upcoming Fantasy Action game Valeria The Pagan Priestess. They got to tell us more about this game, and we look forward to hearing more about it as we approach launch.
GI:
What type of game is [your game], and what inspired you/your team to build it? Are there any games you really enjoyed that gave you inspiration? What makes Valeria stand out?
DEV:
It is a Hack and Slash platform game. With some role-playing elements and with mobility in JRPG-style maps of the 80s, 90s. Of the games that I enjoyed and were useful to me were Darksiders 2 with its combat style and character customization. I also liked Freedom Planet, but not so much for its gameplay, but for the work of the cinematics where there were sprites specialized in the cinematics, but you didn't see them in the gameplay. I also really liked Warcraft 3, where there were several fantasy races and they had to join forces against a greater evil.
GI:
How long have you/your team been developing Valeria?
DEV:
I started by myself more than 3 years ago, I tried to learn to draw pixelart at the same time as learning to program in Game Maker. With the programming in code I was doing well but with the pixel there was no possibility that it would come out decent. An artist made me a fanart of the character, he was interested in us making the game together. He brought 2 of his friends to pixelate too. Over time the artist left the project and so did one of his friends. Remaining one of them doing the art of the game currently. We are currently 4 people making the game in our spare time
(Valeria Infinite Summer 2022 Trailer)
GI:
Can you tell us a little bit about the lore and characters in the game? How did you go about building this world? What inspired your characters?
DEV:
The story is set in a fantasy world (sword and sorcery) where there are several races. Valeria travels to a continent where the native races have enslaved other races.
The leader or main slaver is also the lord of that continent, who is the main villain to defeat by Valeria.
One would think that Valeria goes to that land to free the slaves but in reality she has other intentions with said slaver that are revealed throughout the game after memories of her before arriving in that land
Valeria belongs to a religious organization which worships the titan mother creator of life in the universe. Your organization has a duty to protect the world from any kind of evil threat. Whether they are simple bandits looting towns or some demonic threat that puts the world in danger. Although Valeria is more interested in having fun and achieving fame than in delivering justice around the world.
GI:
What is your greatest challenge being an indie developer? How do you overcome those challenges? What is your advice to developers who share those struggles?
DEV:
When I started with this I thought that the most difficult thing would be to learn to program in Game Maker and learn to draw pixels. But there are too many factors that make game development difficult. Lack of time, lack of resources, people who offer to participate in the development of the game but end up generating problems, discussions and contribute little or nothing. By not having a demo yet (which is what we are currently working on) it is difficult to make ourselves known, therefore the financial resources we have are not enough either.
I think that the advice that I would give to those who are going to develop a game, if the game is a bit ambitious, try to do it with a group of friends and that each one has a specific function and is strengthened in said function . Also keep in mind is that you are going to have to sacrifice too much free time to make progress. Try to watch gameplays of other games, take the strengths and weaknesses of it. Do not think about the money you are going to earn, since most of the time it is the developers who have to put money out of their pocket to buy assets. And above all, try to make the development entertaining, because when it becomes boring it will be very difficult to continue it.
GI:
We talked about your greatest challenge, what would you say is the best part of being an indie developer, that you might say to encourage those thinking of making their own game.
DEV:
I think the part I enjoy most about being an indie developer is the support from the community. They have made us dozens of fan arts of the character in addition to helping us on Patreon since we are not even an indie studio. To the developers I say to always try to thank the community and take all the constructive criticism in order to improve the game.
GI:
You have a lot of fanart of your game. As an indie developer, How important and how helpful has social media and networking been for you/your team?
DEV:
The fanarts helped a lot too, not only because of the encouragement from the community to tell us "We like what you're doing". It also helped us to redesign the character, the original design was somewhat generic.
Social networks help a lot to make you known. But among all of them for me, Twitter is the mecca for indie developers. Being a social network for adults, it does not limit you in what you can show and that is very good. Although his retweet system is also wonderful.
GI:
What can you tell us about when can gamers expect to be able to play Valeria?
DEV:
At the moment I'm working on the boss fight. It is necessary to polish smaller details and perhaps put together some other level. If all goes well, I think that in a month the demo will be ready.
