Greylock Studio's founder, Matt Larrabee, offers a captivating look into his journey as an indie game developer. From his teaching background to creating the high-octane FPS titles "Severed Steel" and "Echo Point Nova," Larrabee shares the motivations and design philosophies that shape his unique approach to game creation.
Dive into the Fast-Paced World of "Millennial Shooters" – A Developer's Vision.
From Classroom to Creative Coder: The Genesis of Greylock Studio
Matt Larrabee, the visionary behind Greylock Studio, began his professional life as a public school teacher, imparting programming knowledge to middle school students. His curriculum naturally extended to game design, sparking a personal interest that led him to explore game engines in his free time. Starting with Morrowind modding and progressing to Unreal Engine, Larrabee's early experiments caught the attention of publishers, ultimately leading to the development of his debut title, "Severed Steel." The success of this initial project allowed him to transition into full-time game development, a dream he actively pursues today.
The Distinctive Style of Severed Steel and Echo Point Nova
Both "Severed Steel" and "Echo Point Nova" are celebrated for their distinctive blend of movement-focused gameplay and bullet-time mechanics. Larrabee categorizes these as "millennial shooters," drawing inspiration from iconic games like Max Payne and FEAR, which captivated him during his high school years. Unlike many indie developers who lean towards "boomer shooters," Larrabee carved out a niche by emphasizing fluid motion and precise gunplay. His initial attempts at creating an open-world RPG, though challenging, provided a foundation for the expansive and mobile design of "Echo Point Nova," transforming it from a tactical shooter into a dynamic open-world experience featuring hoverboards and co-op elements.
Navigating Player Expectations: The Reception of Echo Point Nova
"Echo Point Nova" is known for its incredibly fast pace, demanding players master rapid movement and aiming. Larrabee acknowledges the initial challenge this presents but trusted that the game's unique design would appeal to its intended audience. Inspired by the advanced movement techniques seen in "Titanfall 2," he aimed to integrate such high-speed traversal as a core feature from the outset. Despite concerns about the game's intensity, its overwhelmingly positive reception on platforms like Steam validated his vision. He notes that while some players might find the speed daunting, the inclusion of options like unlimited bullet time caters to a broader range of preferences without compromising the game's core identity.
The Indie Frontier: Larrabee's Outlook on the FPS Genre and Future Endeavors
Larrabee believes that the indie scene is currently the most vibrant space for innovation within the FPS genre, contrasting it with the often more conservative approaches of AAA titles. He reflects on the "hidden gem" status often attributed to his games, pondering whether more aggressive marketing strategies would be beneficial, though he remains content with appealing to a niche audience who appreciate his unique, often quirky, creations. Looking ahead, Greylock Studio aims to maintain its small team while pursuing Larrabee's long-held ambition of developing a comprehensive open-world RPG. This ambitious undertaking, though fraught with technical complexities and logistical challenges, represents his ultimate creative aspiration, a "rite of passage" for many game developers.
