We're back from Gamescom, and I'd like to share a few tidbits.
But first, I have an important announcement: Dreadline Express will be released this October!
Tell your friends, family, and any pets that happen to have a Steam account.
But now let's talk about my first Gamescom!
Ever since I started taking games seriously and learned about E3, I've dreamed of attending an event like that one day. Later, an even crazier dream took hold: taking my own game there. Since E3 is gone, I had to do with the world's largest gaming event instead.
Horror games are my jam!
When I first walked into Gamescom’s exhibition halls, the feeling of awe immediately hit me. There’s something mesmerising about seeing all those worlds crafted by talented people under one roof. But, of course, I wasn’t there just to wander around and check out games (though the Alien: Isolation 2 demo was tight!).
I always heard that the secret to a great Gamescom is planning, and this is where my decision to partner with a publisher really paid off. This event is HUGE, and as a newbie with no connections, I knew I needed help, and that's where Shoreline Games proved to be invaluable.
This is me with Jiri, Dreadline's graphic designer, and Martin, the developer of the crunchy egg massacre game, UNCRACKED
Over the course of three packed days at the Czech National Booth, I sat down with around 14 journalists from across the globe and let them play my thing. Only later did I find out that most developers prepare a safe, curated slice of their game for these occasions. Not me. I shamelessly let them play the full build of Dreadline Express—a version which I finalized just 30 minutes before leaving my home! But things went smoothly and it was a blast watching everyone enjoy the game.
Without exception, they were all very nice people, and we often shared a laugh (an existential post-apocalyptic horror calls for it, after all). A few times I pointed out some harder to reach solutions to game situations, which often surprised my visitors. I honestly think everyone had a great time, and the articles I already saw are full of nice things about the game.
Although I barely had time to eat, I still managed to run into some amazing people, whether in the exhibition halls or the restroom (I actually exchanged contact details with a nice guy from Daedalic while washing hands). It was such a magical place full of great people.
Jiří and I are going to meet Shoreline Games in person for the first time
This was actually the first time that I had met my publisher and some fellow Shoreline-published developers in person. The guys and girls from Onirism and Sisters of Solitude were so great that, after the first round of beers, we were already brainstorming crazy new game ideas together.
Sharing beer with other Czech developers, which Josef from MEDIX miraculously secured for us at the very end of the convention
I also caught up with the teams behind Hieronymus and KEROGEN, and spent some quality time with Inkblood friends. This is how I imagine Disneyland feels! And speaking of great Gamescom games, a huge shoutout to our booth mates from UNCRACKED, Back In Service, Hubert, MEDIX, Two Realms, and Manabies who made for incredible company.
I hope to visit Gamescom again next year, when I might also be able to meet some of our players. That would be amazing! Cheers!
- David