Old School Gamer Magazine chats with “Battlecraft” developer Nikola Todorovic, who lets us know what inspired the Steam and Mobile game.
Old School Gamer Magazine: How was Battlecraft born?
Nikola Todorovic: Battlecraft was born from a desire to create a new style of turn-based strategy with simultaneous turns.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What was your role in the game?
Todorovic: I’m the lead designer/developer. I built over 90% of the game by myself and even wrote the music! I had assistance on the art side with the characters and environment.
Old School Gamer Magazine: How did you get involved in the industry?
Todorovic: Games have been a lifelong passion of mine – and it was always my goal to make my own.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What was development like?
Todorovic: Development was challenging but very rewarding. Battlecraft is an ongoing development process with more updates to come.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What makes Battlecraft special?
Todorovic: Battlecraft is the first game to feature true simultaneous turn-based combat. This changes the strategy considerably because it introduces the element of prediction.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What games influenced this one the most?
Todorovic: Final Fantasy Tactics for the perspective and turn-based component. Super Smash Bros. Melee for its depth and predictive-style gameplay.
Old School Gamer Magazine: Any fun stories or wild moments during development?
Todorovic: Communicating information clearly to the player is very important. Every single aspect of the game needs to be visually consistent and have multiple layers of feedback!
Old School Gamer Magazine: What were the major lessons learned?
Todorovic: Making a networked multiplayer game as a lone developer is probably not something I will do again. It essentially doubles the complexity and maintenance.
Old School Gamer Magazine: Do you think preserving older gameplay mechanics in new games is important?
Todorovic: Yes, I do believe some older game designs still work best. Games are becoming like on-rails theme park attractions that remove challenge and the joy of exploration for the sake of accessibility. I believe challenge and a sense of discovery are key to rewarding gameplay.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What’s your favorite memory as a gamer?
Todorovic: Probably the first time I played World of Warcraft was in 2004. The sheer scale, liveliness, and attention to detail of the world were awe-inspiring to me.
Old School Gamer Magazine: How do you want Battlecraft to be remembered?
Todorovic: I want Battlecraft to be remembered as a game that launched a new style of gameplay – a game that gives more control and decisions to the player rather than taking them away.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What’s next?
Todorovic: I’m working on a new title that could be considered a horror-fantasy roguelike. It’s much darker, scarier, and violent – a totally new beast altogether. I hope that fans of horror (and punishing games like Dark Souls) will enjoy it!
Old School Gamer Magazine: Anything else you’d like to add?
Todorovic: I encourage people to play with their friends online, since Battlecraft is primarily intended as a PvP multiplayer game. Learning someone’s way of thinking and playing mind games is the essence of the game – and by far the most rewarding gameplay Battlecraft has to offer!
