Bjorn Talbot

Founder @Firetown Studios

Currently developing Badventure: https://youtu.be/6SIzntqfXe0 Previously I led the team developing the Gladiator demo, a game that makes souls-like boss fighting a competitive multiplayer objective. Demo includes multiplayer w/ dedicated servers, a souls-like combat system, and a compelling boss fight. 12 random players in a focus group gave it a 4.7/5 on the fun scale. • Hired and led the creative team of 5 – 9 engineers, animators, and artists in developing the prototype, directing and giving feedback. • Developed core loop, created game design document, worked with artists on character, weapon, and level designs. • Designed combat system, iterating with player feedback and reworking systems until we achieved a smooth feel. Worked with animator on specific combo animations and tweaked balance based on playtests. • Designed and implemented boss fight including boss AI, worked with animator on animations, and tied the combat to the arena theme. • Hands-on engineered a fair amount of the product including the whole boss fight, environment design, and the player character. • Created the game design document, pitch materials, roadmaps, budgets, and set priorities within the scope. • Set up development processes including bi-weekly sprints, TDD, iteration on player feedback, and ad-hoc meetings for solving problems. • Decided when to prioritize dev support activities such as automated building/deployment to AWS and Steam and test-driven-development infrastructure vs. developing gameplay and core features. • Organized and facilitated regular playtests.