Petroglyph interview: middleware games

Xsolla had the honor to have a conversation with Michael Legg, president and founder of petroglyph. This is a key company in a timely strategy game. Founded by former Westwood employees, the company also designed a new RTS game-grey goo, which will promote the traditional command and conquer game scenarios to a new stage. Michael explained some game development processes and introduced the advantages of playing games in middleware.

Let's introduce you to a studio.

Petroglyph focuses on real-time strategic games. Our birth call, we returnIn the glorious mission of command and conquer. Now, we are creating a new RTS game-Grey goo. In the fierce battles with opponents, there are three different parts. Story battles, small-scale battles, and multi-person role playing. This game will bring us backTimely strategy the beginning of the game. Old but I don't want to sayCore micro-management. More like a perfectCommand and conquer games. It balances the economy, the construction of the base, and the battle.

Are you using your own engine or other technologies?

We create everything ourselves. Our proprietary product is glyphics. Both the client and server are operated by ourselves. We all have a bunch of custom tools.

 

What do you think is the most important tool for game developers?

We really like middleware solutions. If we don't write it on our own, we really need to seize this opportunity. We authorize some audio systems and cooperate with xsolla. We use scaleform for our user interface. If someone can develop an independent solution, no programmer can work normally. This is a huge help. Reliable middleware can save time and you can invest in your favorite games. Of course, sometimes you have to write special code to meet certain requirements. However, we always look for ready-made solutions.

 

How long have you been playing this game?

Grey goo. We have been releasing it for two years in early 2015.

How are you going to release this game?

Steam. It will also be released on the official gaming website. We will also get some help from the publisher greybox. This company can help us control servers. Our players can control it on their own.

Do you have a preemptive experience?

It is feasible to experience the project first. You can register before the game is released. We did not charge for early use. But now we are at this stage of friends and family. This prerelease action provides us with a lot of valuable comments. We can get the logistics concept of the game and track all the games. But the most important thing is to balance the entire game. We are building an RTS game with a very different faction. Each camp has its own unique technology tree. Early access was a great way to help us understand what was too old and where there were still deficiencies.

Petroglyph interview: middleware games