Crankshaft Games – Indie Game Success in Montreal
Crankshaft Games (on Twitter: @crankshaftgames) is a Montreal team of indie game developers who brought you the award-winning Half-Life 2 mod Eternal Silence. Currently, Crankshaft games is focusing on their next title, Party of Sin, to be released on Xbox Live Indie Games.
We had the chance to ask Alexander Galasso, Community Manager, and his team a few questions. It’s an interesting look at the indie game market in Montreal and how small game companies can build successful businesses.
NextMontreal: When and how did Crankshaft Games get started?
Crankshaft Games: Crankshaft Games was originally started as a modding community for the Source engine. There were about 30 members who contributed to the development of our first title Eternal Silence, a multiplayer space and FPS hybrid. Eternal Silence formed a nice community and eventually released for free on Steam. The project lead of Eternal Silence, Daniel Menard, wanted to branch off into different genres. He started Party of Sin as Crankshaft’s follow up title. Crankshaft continues to support the development of Eternal Silence while working on Party of Sin.
NextMontreal: How many people are on the team? Do you plan to grow?
Daniel Menard and Alexander Galasso at Cranshaft Games
The team is set for the development of our current game Party of Sin but after the release of the game, we will surely be looking to grow Crankshaft Games.
NextMontreal: Do you have offices, or work from home?
Crankshaft Games: Since we operate as a virtual company, we work from our respective homes. It would be safe to say that Crankshaft Games’ HQ is in Montreal but we have people working in the US and Europe as well.
NextMontreal: Which notable tools/engines do you use?
Crankshaft Games: Contrary to the industry norms, our engine is custom-built. We use XNA as a platform, allowing us to develop on Xbox and PC. Although there are awesome engines on the market, developing our own seemed like the most logical decision. It has allowed us to create custom tools for 3D Studio Max, which facilitates the level design and art pipeline. Dan Menard often boasts about his custom AI editor, which allows us to configure the path finding in real time.
NextMontreal: Did you get any investors, are you looking for any or are you self-funded?
Crankshaft Games: The game is proudly self-funded.
NextMontreal: What games have you released or are in development, and for which platforms?
Crankshaft Games: Our first title, Eternal Silence was released for free on Steam a couple of years ago. Eternal Silence was a first person shooter and space simulator. The objective was to destroy the shield of the enemy mothership with spacecrafts. Once the shields were down, players would board the enemy ship and try to capture checkpoints on the ship. The first team to capture the other’s mothership would win.
Party of Sin is our latest title and is still in development. Party of Sin is a 2D platformer, which allows players to inhabit one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Players are taken on an adventure across four unique worlds and must overcome hordes of angels, hazardous platforming elements and tricky puzzling. The game also supports COOP and adds an entire new dynamic to game. Players will have to work together to beat the level but also compete amongst each other for points. Party of Sin will be released both on Steam and Xbox Live.
NextMontreal: Did you choose Montreal, if so why?
Crankshaft Games: Montreal chose us.
NextMontreal: Any tips for aspiring game developers or local indie developers?
Crankshaft Games: The games industry is one of the toughest industries to be in, especially as an indie developer. It is very intimidating and can be frustrating at times but the one piece of advice I can give to indie developers is to stick at it. I know this may seem cliché but any indie developer has an equal chance of making a great game, regardless of your resume. Everyone plays games and knows what they like and don’t like, so developing a game is no different. As long as your game is fun, people will be interested. Also, don’t be selfish with your ideas. Show people your stuff as early as possible and get feedback. The more grassroots support you can rally early on, the easier development will be.
NextMontreal: What do you think of the organizations/events about game development in Montreal?
Crankshaft Games: The organizations/events in Montreal are great. There is an indie meet up every once and a while along with the IGDA meetings. There is also ComicCon as well as the Sommet International du Jeu de Montreal, which draw some nice crowds. Anything to attract attention to the Montreal games scene is healthy for all of us.
NextMontreal: Thanks for your time Alexander and good luck with your games!
(Chris Comeau also writes for GamesMontreal.com, Montreal video game industry news, jobs and resumes.)
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