Dear readers of the portal, after the first impressions of the new domestic game in development called Arrowman, we bring you an interview with the man behind the game, Oldin Soukup, a 27-year-old game developer from the Opatija area.
Oldin Soukup
Oldin has an impressive background - after completing his education at Machina Academy in Zagreb and studying Computer Games Design at the prestigious Staffordshire University in England, he honed his experience at the domestic studio Under the Stairs, and today he runs his own indie studio BETTER PLAN and teaches a game development course right where he learned his first steps. His work and talent have also been recognized by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), which has supported some of the major projects Oldin has worked on as the lead author and producer with scholarships.
We conducted the interview with Oldin via email, primarily discussing Arrowman, but we also touched on issues related to the development of independent games and the support that the domestic indie scene receives from state institutions.
How did the idea for Arrowman come about?
The idea for Arrowman came about while I was preparing a Unity course as part of Machine. To make the programming material and tasks more accessible to the participants, I decided to create a prototype of a game that they would later have to make. Once the prototype was finished, I really liked it and concluded that it was worth continuing to work on that game and see where it could take me. I particularly liked the mechanic of shooting an arrow into a wall to use it as a platform later. Of course, that mechanic is not all that makes up the game. Other aspects, such as the visual style, developed during the work on the game, while the story clicked for me right at the beginning of the game's development. If you're interested in that earliest prototype I mentioned, you can try it out here and see where it all started!
How long has the game been in development?
I started working on the game in June 2024, but I couldn't fully dedicate myself to it at that time. In other words, I have been developing the game for over a year now, but only in the last few months has it been my main and sole focus, and I intend for it to remain that way until it is released.
What was the biggest challenge during development?
The biggest challenges are often related to discipline while working on a solo project. While working on Arrowman, I experienced for the first time what it means to do so many different things. I draw, program, write the story, record sounds, and more for Arrowman. Of course, that's too many different areas, many of which I wasn't familiar with. I started working on the project believing I would manage to learn all of it, but every time I came across something new, I hit a wall and realized how little I knew. In those moments, discipline and perseverance pushed me to keep working and to learn the unknown skills no matter how difficult it was.
How does your game stand out compared to similar games in the genre?
The story in Arrowman will try to convey the inner struggles of a person trying to follow their calling while the world does not accept them. Unlike many metroidvanias that prioritize exploring an unknown world, Arrowman will shift the focus to the characters and dialogues within that world. You can expect the story to be much more developed than what you have seen so far in the demo version! Along with the story, Arrowman features bows and arrows with different powers! Each level in the game will come with its own challenge, and you will need to use the arrows from that level in creative ways to overcome the challenges present.
Arrowman combines the best elements of various titles, such as the atmosphere from Hollow Knight: Silksong, ranged combat from Noita, and the dynamic action known from Katana ZERO.
How do you view the indie scene today — is it easier to break through thanks to social media, YouTube, and platforms like Steam, or is it harder due to the large number of games being released every day?
I believe that every era has its challenges, and it's hard for me to say whether it's easier to break through now. Making a game today is easier than ever. There is an enormous amount of material, free programs, courses, and tutorials that people can use to learn how to make games, which didn't exist just 10 years ago. However, the problem of reaching an audience that wants to play the game you are making still exists. It was a problem before, and it is still one today. It's hard to say whether it's harder or easier today, but we certainly have access to promotional methods and game development techniques that weren't possible before. It's also worth mentioning that today's indie scene is gaining more influence, and a good portion of the best games of the year comes from smaller studios.
A look at the Croatian indie scene and state support from HAVC
In Croatia, top-notch games are made every now and then! The recent success of Escape Simulator 2, as well as the success of the game Talos Principle 2, shows that Croatia can still create games that players around the world enjoy. Recently, Croatia also got its place at a festival on Steam where games made in Croatia were showcased (link), among which you can find Arrowman! Such promotion through Steam is yet another indicator that Croatia has enough quality games to warrant its own special promotion.
HAVC is a significant factor in encouraging various studios that develop their video games. Incentives aimed at small and medium studios are of exceptional importance, as the funds obtained can be crucial for the survival of the studio or for completing the game. Thanks to these incentives, many games have been developed and refined in Croatia, and I have had the honor of working on some of them, such as: Obala, Apeiron, Pirate Nation, and Illyricum.
Expected release?
The expected release of Arrowman is next year.
Will the game be available on PC or will it also be released on consoles?
Arrowman will be available on PC via Steam at the time of release, and we will see about other consoles! :)
Thank you for your time. We will definitely follow the further development of Arrowman and look forward to updates — and we recommend our readers to try out the demo version.
