Indie Spotlight: Cliff Harris

The Indie Spotlight returns, this time taking a spotlighted look at Cliff Harris and his projects Kudos and Democracy. Here you can check out the review for Democracy and Kudos. For more information regarding demos or purchases, be sure to visit to http://www.kudosgame.com and http://www.positech.co.uk/democracy. Both games are simulators that have inter-weaving effects based on player decisions.

The ripple-effect scheme is a counter-method to games that rely on timers or player activated scenarios. Both games represent an intuitive approach to the simulation genre by providing gamers with an alternative approach to problem solving and decision making. To get more insight into these projects, we conducted a Q&A with former program coder for Lionhead Studios, Cliff Harris. We also touch over subjects regarding independent gaming, Cliff’s reasons for leaving the mainstream scene, and of course, his games Kudos and Democracy.

VG Core: For those who don't know, you used to work for Lionhead Studios. Could you name some of the projects you worked on and what brought you to the independent scene?

Cliff: I worked on 'The Movies', I did the AI basically, plus all sorts of other bits and pieces, the save games, some work on the editor etc. I was making indie games long before I worked at Lionhead, so it was only natural to return to indie games when I left, especially after working for 3 years to someone elses design.

VG Core: What were some of the independent games you designed before working for Lionhead?

Cliff: Lots, but they weren't as good as the later ones. I did Asteroid Miner, Space Battle 3001, Rocky racers, Kombat Kars and Planetary Defence, Minefield and StarLines INC.

VG Core: What do you like most about developing independent games, and what did you like most about developing mainstream titles?

Cliff: I love the freedom to do any design, and the short development time, plus being your own boss. Indie games concentrate on the gameplay, whereas mainstream games are often graphics engines with some gameplay tacked on the end. Mainstream titles aren't exactly fun to work on as such, but I like working with a bunch of fellow game geeks; it's the social aspect of mainstream development I miss, not much else to be honest.

VG Core: Creator of the EWR (Extreme Wrestling Warfare) series, Adam Ryland, mentioned that designing a simulator like EWR takes three to four months, tops. Kudos and Democracy don't appear to be simple simulators, from a player's standpoint. So for those who don't know, how long did it take to design Kudos? And how long did it take to design Democracy?

Cliff: Kudos took 7 months full time, and Democracy took about a year part time. Democracy has a very bizarre internal code design, if you looked at it you wouldn't really be able to tell where the actual game code was at all. It's a very strangely designed game, although on the surface it looks quite normal. I've been making games like this for ages, so the time it takes is purely game design, as opposed to any technical aspects of coding them. The programming is easy, it's the design that’s hard, at least it is that way when the game is original.

VG Core: Actually, after several hours of playing Democracy and Kudos, they seemed far from simple, or normal. The intertwining effects and consequences from making, changing, or cancelling a policy in Democracy is an astounding feature--given the short and long term effects that keep players on their toes. Most simulators seem to throw monkey-wrenches into the gameplay just for the sake of keeping the player from getting bored. Democracy and Kudos both avoid the mundane effects that plague most simulators...was that one of the goals you were trying to achieve with these games?

Cliff: A lot of the depth and complexity of Democracy come from the very nature of its code design, and that aspect at least is similar in the design of Kudos. Any system where every item can effect every other item leads to a natural level of complexity and subtlety that seems very lifelike. It's a pretty evil system to initially program, but great fun to play with once it is set up. To me, it seems the absolutely natural way to program games like these.

VG Core: How do you feel about the new XNA technology support for home-brewed games? Will this help the independent scene seamlessly emerge onto a mainstream video game console? Or do you think it will muddle the indie scene with too many programmers trying to throw together too many games for the market to pay any attention to?

Cliff: I don't know much about the XNA thing, but I do know that it means learning DirectX9. My games mostly use DirectX7, which is actually the best API for 2D game development. Microsoft always assume game companies have tons of staff, and that one coder is just in charge of the DirectX code. I can't be bothered to re-learn directx every year to keep up with the latest fashion. I guess if you are just starting out, the XNA tech is a great idea, but I don't think it will lead to tons more indie games. Game programming is far from simple, and already 90% of indie games get abandoned, I don't think that will change any time soon. If it lets indie developers get a chunk of the console markets, that's good, as long as financially they get a good deal from the console owner.

VG Core: Following up on that question, what is your take on the independent scene...do you think it's generating the right kind of attention, or do you think it's not getting enough attention?

Cliff: Maybe it would benefit from more, but the fact is that most indie games are dire. Most mainstream games are dire too, but they tend to look nice, so people get lured in by the screenshots. I think the indie scene will get more attention when indie devs start making more original games. There are way too many puzzle game clones right now.

VG Core: What sort of original games does the independent scene need? It seems like Alien Shooter, Kudos, Gibbage, Arklight, and a couple of other titles out there actually seem to break common trends. But what sort of games in what sort of genre do indie developers need to focus on, if not puzzle/strategy genre?

Cliff: We just need to be different. Armdadillo run is a good example, Cute Knight was good, and Lux and masters of Defence are good examples too. People need to stop looking at an existing game and thinking they will just do a variation on it. I have no idea where they got the idea for Masters Of Defence, but its fantastic. Indie games wont have cutting edge graphics, or gigabytes of content, originality is the number one thing they need, regardless of the genre. I am suprised we don't see more indie adventure games though.

VG Core: With Microsoft giving the independent scene some limelight with the Xbox Live arcade, I could definitely see Kudos as being an organic multiplayer, take-turn simulator. Sort of like the tournament mode on Albatross 18, everyone is playing at the same time except there's a timer per-round to keep a steady pace on the gameplay. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous, but if a stipulation like that was tossed in as the only way to port Kudos over to the Live arcade, would you do it?

Cliff: I would love to see kudos on a console, although I suspect Nintendo would like my kind of games more thn Microsoft. I think if I was approached to do it, I would, but otherwise I'm not rushing to do it. I prefer the PC platform because there is no group of men in suits telling you what games can be sold on the PC, they let the market decide, which is much better.

VG Core: In Democracy, the game has a completely different take on a video game musical score. Most simulators have game-show themes with campy melodies or the proverbial "thinking music" found in a lot of strategy titles. Aside from Intelligent Cube, I can't think of another game that had progressive chamber music playing in the background. That is, until I played Democracy. How did you decide what sort of musical theme you wanted Democracy to have and how long did it take to compose the music for the game?

Cliff: For some reason I knew right away that I wanted classical music for the game, and not the kind of music you get in fantasy RPGs, but something a bit different. I didn't compose the music, although I used to be a musician, but I did listen to a phenomenal number of bits of music before picking the ones I thought were the right match.

VG Core: If there's going to be a sequel of Democracy, you should definitely consider having the option for players to pay the media to distract the public from stupid political decisions. You know, like in real life. *grins*

Cliff: It's tempting. One of the things that makes Democracy unique is it's all about the policies, like a fantasy world where the politicians rule in the best interests of the people. Most political games are very very cynical, so I guess the lack of cynicism makes the game more original. There’s lots of stuff I could add to a sequel though.

VG Core: It's probably nothing, but it seems like liberals impossible to please on Democracy without destroying the economy.

Cliff: They shouldn't be, you can usually fiddle with alw and order stuff to keep them happy, that doesn't cost much, jury trials and community policing, that kind of thing. I like to think the game is perfectly balanced and you can win from any political stance if you stick with it

VG Core: Thanks Cliff for taking time out to answer our questions. Any final comments for aspiring developers in the independent scene?

Cliff: Be original, and don't be afraid to sell your game yourself. Publishers can help, but they certainly aren't essential.

If you'd like more information regarding both Kudos and Democracy, be sure to visit www.kudosgame.com and www.positech.co.uk/democracy. If you have a game you'd like to suggest for the upcoming Indie Spotlight or you're a developer who wants your game spotlighted, send comments, suggestions or feedback to Cyguration@VGcore.com

Article By: Cyguration