From Punk Band to Game Developer
My personal journey has always been closely linked to punk. I spent years as the bassist and singer of the band PRANX. A little Easter egg in "Mindlock": An EP cover of my band adorns Colin's wall – a drawing by me that dates back seven years. My punk mindset not only flows into the music but also into questioning our societal system, an attitude that I find reflected in Colin, the main character of "Mindlock."
Colin: A Reflection of Social Critique
Colin lives the punk mantra "Punk's not dead" with a corresponding poster and a dusty guitar. He questions the system, feels like a cog in the machine, and expresses his dissatisfaction. Over time, however, I have developed a more mature perspective, growth that I also allow Colin to experience. "Mindlock" declares: The world is not just black or white.
The Creation of the Soundtrack
Currently, I am working on the soundtrack of "Mindlock," which deliberately has a punk influence but ultimately strikes a calmer tone that captures the game's atmosphere. Markus Zierhofer of AudioCreatures supports me in developing the lyrics and the professional production. My experiences in songwriting and sound design also flow into the background music, which weaves thematic motifs and thus enhances the mood of the game.
Although I still enjoy attending punk concerts and remain loyal to the music, surprisingly, I prefer jazz while working on "Mindlock – The Apartment." A development I did not expect. Interestingly, I now receive support from a film music composer and a game composer, both of whom help fine-tune the soundtrack. Their expertise in film music and game soundtracks adds an additional dimension to the game's musical design.
Behind the Scenes
For anyone interested in learning more about our development processes, I recommend our devlog "Behind Closed Doors: Colin's origins" Here we provide insights into the creation of "Mindlock" and the conception of Colin. Don't forget to add the game to your Steam wishlist.