Heavy Rockets – RETRO GAMESMASTER

First of all Welcome to Retrogamesmaster.

What is your first gaming experience?

If I remember correctly, in late 1970’s, one day my father came home with a strange looking device. It was some sort of Pong game console. The game was quite boring.

What got you into programming games?

I’m not actually a programmer. I’m a graphic/game designer of Heavy Rockets. I also made music and sound effect for the game. In 2011 my company Majasalmi Ltd released a nice little music player app called AirCassette. Few months later, Markus Santaniemi, the programmer of the AirCassette app, asked me if I was interested in starting a new project together, because all went so well with AirCassette. He wanted to make a game this time. I made couple of concept images and we decided to start to make our first game, Heavy Rockets. (First concept image)

What development tools or coding did you use?

We use Unity 3D. I also use some other software for different purposes. For example I design the game maps with Adobe Illustrator. To design GUI layouts I use Photoshop. I’d like to use Sketch for that, but I haven’t bought it yet (because I’m quite cheap). For music and sound effects I use Garageband, Logic and Audacity.

What hurdles did you have making your current game?

The main problem with the whole Heavy Rockets project is that it some how expanded in to this giant four year project. We have used too much time on features that no one uses, for example the local multiplayer game mode. It would have been much wiser to make a small simple game and add new features little by little.

After the completion of the game what game will you make?

We don’t actually know yet. Of course we have already talked about the new ideas, but there have not been a breakthrough idea yet. I hope it will be a smaller project.

What other games have you made you made?

Heavy Rocket is our only game, but I’m sure retro fans will also like our AirCassette app too.

My favourite computer was my Amiga and console the Megadrive do you have a favourite?

Amiga was my favorite too. It was the ultimate gaming computer. I also had a Spectrum. It had really nice games too. Me and my brother never had Nintendo or Sega consoles. Few months ago I bought Super Retro Trio “retro” console that supports old NES, SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis games. I’m now kind of exploring all those retro console games I didn’t have when I was a kid.

What is your favourite retro game?

My favorite Amiga games are: Gravity Force, Bomberman, Extreme Violence, Paradroid.

Do you still game on the current consoles if so whats your favourite game?

I have PS4. I really like Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain. Of course Uncharted 4 was awesome too, but I think Last of Us 2 will be better. Last of Us was one of the best games ever made. Bro Force is brilliant too!

Whats the worst game you have ever played?

I try to avoid bad games, so I can’t remember what’s been the worst.