Comments on: Interview with Jake Birkett (Grey Alien), Big Fish Games Lead Programmer

By: Grey Alien Games » Blog Archive » My Interview on Sell More Games Blog

Grey Alien Games » Blog Archive » My Interview on Sell More Games Blog — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 07:26:19 +0000

[…] interviewed me a couple of weeks ago and you can read the results of my rather lengthy interview here. I wrote so much stuff – I’m sure I could have turned it into a ton of blog posts! Anyway, […]

By: Don’t tell me I lack vision | Sell More Games

Don’t tell me I lack vision | Sell More Games — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:34:18 +0000

[…] Interview with Jake Birkett was very well received. Thanks. Jake is the black belt in Aikido and hippocoder from the Indie Gamer Forums asked Jake: …as a black belt, how do you feel fitness or other activities contribute to your success? […]

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:43:49 +0000

One more thing, most people’s first few games are only OK until they get into the swing of things around the 5th or 6th game, this was true of Emmanuel for example.

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:42:13 +0000

Absolutely Roman, coding a game from start to end requires a ton of design work covering every element (gameplay, mechanics, particles, sound+music, UI, graphics, minor decisions, meta game etc.), even if the overall design is done by someone else. Many of the ideas in Fairway and especially my new game were mine or co-designed with me (this is actually the best way imho). It’s fun coming up with additional ideas for an already solid design by a pro.

By: Roman Budzowski

Roman Budzowski — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:14:01 +0000

It seems to bother people that Jake didn’t design Fairway. It’s funny, because when Emmanuel Marty made his games most people were amazed by execution of others ideas and not moaning that he didn’t introduced his own.

Casual games are too small to say “he just coded” it. That’s why programmer with a sense of design is very important to game success.

And last but not least, even if “he just coded it”, then you get the answer to the question: “If indie team was to hire just one person…” – hire a DESIGNER!

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:38:28 +0000

Nice guy, but his orginal games are just “ok”. Any programmer can code a game when you have professional “game designers” telling you what to code. Fairway was “coded” by Jake, not designed by. Same with the sequel coming out. Let’s please keep this in mind.

By: Mathews, Montreal

Mathews, Montreal — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:22:22 +0000

Thank you Roman and Jake great interview.
Could you tell us more about portal ?
I guess that Big Fish Game is like a portal ?
Thank

By: Juuso

Juuso — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:16:55 +0000

Awesome interview, thanks Roman & Jake