Meet the Creators: An Interview with Winarius’ Game Designers

Winarius, a relatively new player in the gaming industry, has been making waves with its innovative and immersive game design. Their debut title, "Echoes of Eternity," has garnered attention for its unique blend of puzzle-solving and narrative-driven gameplay. We sat down with the two lead game designers, Rachel Lee and Michael Kim, to discuss their creative process, inspirations, and what’s next for Winarius.

A Brief History of Winarius

winariusgames.com Before diving into our conversation with Rachel and Michael, it’s worth noting a bit about the company’s background. Founded just over three years ago by a group of industry veterans, Winarius aimed to create games that would challenge players’ perceptions and push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. With "Echoes of Eternity" as their flagship title, they’ve made significant strides in achieving this goal.

The Design Process

We began our conversation with Rachel and Michael by asking about their design process for "Echoes of Eternity." According to them, it’s a highly collaborative effort that involves constant brainstorming and iteration. "We start with a basic concept," Rachel explained, "and then we work together to flesh out the story, mechanics, and art style."

"We’re big fans of game jams and prototyping," Michael added. "We like to create small, playable versions of our ideas as soon as possible, just to see if they hold up. It’s amazing how quickly you can get a sense of what works and what doesn’t with that approach."

This emphasis on experimentation is evident in the final product. The game’s narrative is presented through a series of vignettes, each featuring a unique art style and gameplay mechanic. Players must piece together fragments of memory to uncover the story behind the protagonist’s mysterious disappearance.

Inspirations and Influences

So, what inspired Rachel and Michael to create "Echoes of Eternity"? They cited a range of influences, from classic point-and-click adventures like "The Secret of Monkey Island" to more modern titles like "Firewatch" and "What Remains of Edith Finch."

"We’re huge fans of narrative-driven games," Rachel said. "We love how they can evoke emotions and create empathy in players. With ‘Echoes,’ we wanted to push that further by incorporating multiple gameplay mechanics and art styles to reflect the different eras and settings of the story."

Michael added, "We were also inspired by the works of authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Thomas Pynchon, who often explored themes of time, memory, and the human condition. We tried to capture some of that essence in our game’s narrative and design."

Gameplay Mechanics and Puzzle-Solving

One of the standout features of "Echoes of Eternity" is its innovative gameplay mechanics. Players must use their wits to solve a series of increasingly complex puzzles, which involve manipulating objects, decoding messages, and piecing together fragmented memories.

"We wanted to create a sense of discovery and exploration," Rachel said. "Players should feel like they’re uncovering the secrets of the story through their own efforts, rather than being told what’s happening by the game."

Michael added, "The puzzles are designed to be challenging but not impossible. We’ve seen players get frustrated at first, only to come back and figure out a solution after taking a break. It’s great to see that sense of accomplishment when they finally solve something!"

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Of course, developing a game as ambitious as "Echoes of Eternity" is not without its challenges. Rachel and Michael faced numerous hurdles during production, from finding the right art style to balancing gameplay mechanics with narrative pacing.

"We had to iterate extensively on our level design," Michael said. "We realized that players were getting stuck in certain areas or missing crucial clues. It was a tough process, but it ultimately made the game more enjoyable and polished."

Rachel added, "One of the biggest lessons we learned is the importance of player feedback. We couldn’t have predicted how some players would react to our puzzles or art style. Thankfully, our community has been amazing in providing constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement."

What’s Next for Winarius?

With "Echoes of Eternity" now out in the wild, Rachel and Michael are already thinking about their next project. They’ve hinted at a new IP that explores different themes and gameplay mechanics.

"We’re experimenting with more dynamic narrative systems," Rachel said. "We want to give players even more agency in shaping the story and its outcomes."

Michael added, "We’re also looking into incorporating more interactive elements, such as branching dialogue trees or player choices that affect the world. It’s going to be a fascinating challenge, but we’re excited about the possibilities!"

As our conversation came to a close, it was clear that Rachel and Michael are deeply passionate about their work at Winarius. They’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what games can do, both narratively and mechanically.

With "Echoes of Eternity" as a starting point, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.