GDC 2014: Dan Gray, producer, ustwo Games (PocketGamer.biz)

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Ustwo Games is prioritizing craftsmanship and aesthetic value over traditional mobile monetization models to differentiate its titles in a crowded marketplace.
02
The game Monument Valley serves as a case study for proving that mobile platforms can support high-fidelity, premium gaming experiences comparable to traditional hardware.
03
The initial release strategy for Monument Valley is focused on the iOS platform, with potential expansion to Android contingent on consumer demand and community engagement.
04
Developers are shifting toward polished, isometric gameplay to elevate the standard of mobile production and move away from common industry monetization trends.
05
Despite the industry's current focus on virtual reality innovation, there is a sustained commitment to premium mobile development to reach a diverse global audience.
06
Direct engagement between developers, peers, and players is essential for refining game mechanics and validating creative direction outside of isolated studio environments.

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Transcript

uh my name's dan gray and i work for ust games it's a small studio in london so for us the main thing we wanted to do was just sort of get it in the hands of other developers because we can't really do that at the consumer shows that we've been to just get people's opinions and instead of us being stuck in our dungeon making a game in london somewhere actually getting out there and speaking to people like us and see what they think it's just all vr stuff that's all they know all the keys are for everyone's just queued up to go to oculus everyone was queuing up yesterday to go and see the sony stuff and i think that's going to continue to be the case for the next few months and just see how those things progress hopefully people are actually talking about the resurgence of premium games within the mobile space and our game is going to be one of those good good plug yeah so we're working on an isometric game for ios with ios first release called monument valley again it's been sort of a an experience for us to try and create

something with as much craft as we possibly can and as much quality as we possibly can you know it's coming to ios first and hopefully android and other platforms as long as long as people shout enough about it

Summary

The mobile gaming landscape is currently undergoing a significant shift toward the resurgence of premium, high-quality experiences. Developers are increasingly prioritizing craftsmanship and artistic integrity to distinguish their titles within a crowded digital marketplace. This movement seeks to move away from common industry trends, focusing instead on delivering polished, isometric gameplay that emphasizes aesthetic value and user experience over traditional monetization models.

Monument Valley serves as a primary case study for this philosophy, representing a deliberate effort to elevate the standard of mobile production. By prioritizing quality and design, the project aims to demonstrate that mobile platforms can support sophisticated, premium gaming experiences that rival those on more traditional hardware. The initial release strategy focuses on iOS, with potential expansion to Android and other platforms contingent upon sustained consumer demand and community engagement.

While the broader industry conversation at major developer conferences is currently dominated by the rapid emergence of virtual reality hardware, there remains a vital need for developers to step outside of isolated studio environments. Engaging directly with peers and players is essential for refining game mechanics and validating creative direction. Despite the intense focus on VR innovation, the commitment to premium mobile development remains a critical component of the industry's evolution, ensuring that high-fidelity, thoughtfully crafted games continue to find a place in the hands of a diverse global audience.