Community Games Week: Artoon Interview

Kicking of our Xbox Live Community Games Week, we've talked to Oscar Kozlowski, developer of Community Game Artoon!

Can you briefly explain what Artoon is about?

Artoon chronicles the adventures of Art as he bounces his way through a variety of artworks. Artoon is a score-attack psychedelic platformer that offers stimulating visual / aural experiences that actually impact the gameplay. For example, one world sees Art stuck within a TV and turning away from the light distorts the player's view, hampering his progress.

Where did your inspiration for making Artoon come from?

I am currently a PhD student in real-time computer graphics, but have always had an interest in non-photorealistic, artistic graphic styles. My goal was to create an experience where the variety of art styles added unique challenges to the gameplay.

How did you find yourself in a position to be releasing a game worldwide on XBL Community Games?

I built a prototype of Artoon for entry into the Microsoft Dream Build Play 2008 competition in only 3 weeks. Even as a basic prototype, Artoon was really fun and was selected as one of the top 20 (out of 300+ entrants), so I decided to spend another 6 weeks adding significant polish in preparation for release on the Xbox Live Community Games channel. Overall, I have spent about 400 hours over 9 weeks working on Artoon.

What is your favourite Artoon level and why?

That's a tough question as each world brings something new to the table in terms of feel and experience. At a push, I'd have to say the Maelstorm level due to the new gameplay mechanic and the awesome piano music. My musician did a fantastic job blending the aural experience into the visual one.

Have you been making games for a while or is Artoon your first?

Video games have always been a passion so as soon as I learnt how to program, I have dabbling in various technologies. Some of these ideas ended up completed, but Artoon is my first game that I have taken to a high level of polish.

What was the most challenging part of making Artoon?

Finding a shop that had enough stock of coffee and cigarettes to keep me going through the long nights! On a more serious note, the age old adage 'The last 10% takes 90% of the time' is definitely true; I learnt alot about exactly how much time polishing the game really takes.

Who would you say your game appeals to?

Artoon offers something for everyone; I have even received an email from someone wishing to tell me how Artoon has become his 5 year old son's favourite game. The visual / aural experience is exciting and interesting and the gameplay constantly challenges you to earn those higher rankings.

What advice would you give to people wanting to make games with the XNA creator?

The community is truly amazing and have been an invaluable resource! Very bright and talented people all wishing to help each other create the best game they can. Help is quickly offered on topics ranging from the basic "I'm new to game programming. Where do I start?" to extremely detailed and complicated intricacies of the Xbox 360 platform.

Has all the time you've put into making Artoon been worth it?

Definitely! There is very little that rivals the satisfaction of seeing your labour of love being available on a next-generation console. Receiving emails from people who have enjoyed the game has plastered a semi-permanent smile onto my face!

What plans have you got for the future?

I am currently taking a well-deserved break and catching up with all the games I have missed over the last 2 months. I have a few ideas for future games and will start work on them very soon!

Download Trial to your Xbox 360

Buy from Xbox Marketplace for 400MS Points

Download the Music From the Game (see OkGamesCompany.com for details)

Thanks very much to Oscar for talking to us.