Mike Bithell
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Housemarque and Bithell Games join Game Republic New Horizons speaker lineup, Nintendo to host open session for developers and publishers
Game Republic New Horizons has announced additional speakers for its upcoming event, including Housemarque VFX lead Robbert Groenendijk and Bithell Games director Mike Bithell. Nintendo will also host an open session for developers and publishers to discuss working with the company. The event will feature keynotes and panels on various aspects of game development, investment, and industry trends.
"People want to play arcade racers again" – How the developer of Wreckreation went from a company-wide redundancy notice to working on a sequel
Fiona Sperry, formerly of Criterion and Three Fields Entertainment, has announced Wreckreation 2 through her new company, When Tides Turn. After facing potential redundancies and relying on Patreon support for Wreckreation 1, Sperry is taking a new approach with open development and a focus on the arcade racing genre, which she believes still has a significant audience.
"I genuinely think there's awesome potential": Mike Bithell on his "im-slim" Vampirium: 1997 and the power of quick verbs
Mike Bithell discusses his upcoming game Vampirium: 1997, an "im-slim" immersive sim that focuses on text and menu options rather than traditional 3D visuals. He explains how this approach allows for rapid implementation of new mechanics and "verbs," giving players more agency. Bithell also shares his enjoyment of creative independence after his previous studio, Bithell Games, had to lay off staff following the underperformance of Tron: Identity.
Morning Interviews
Developer Mike Bithell discusses the importance of matching the scope of a game to its development resources. He emphasizes that the industry often overlooks this crucial aspect of game creation.
"Across the industry, we don't think enough about how we match the scope to what we're making" – Mike Bithell on why the world needs an im-slim
Mike Bithell discusses the challenges faced by indie developers, including the recent downsizing of Bithell Games. He introduces his new experimental immersive sim, Vampirium 1997, which adopts a minimalist, tile-based approach to reduce development scope and cost. Bithell advocates for better matching project scope to market potential, criticizing the industry's risk aversion and reliance on established IPs.
Develop:Brighton showed the UK games industry is done with hand-wringing and is determined to save itself | Opinion
The UK games industry, facing significant layoffs and funding challenges, is shifting from hand-wringing to proactive self-preservation through increased collaboration. Developers are exploring regional hubs, studio collectives, and cross-industry opportunities to ensure resilience and sustainability in a difficult economic climate. While government and private funding initiatives show some promise, securing early-stage prototype funding remains a critical hurdle.
Bithell Games announce Vampirium: 1997, an ‘imslim’ vampire game
Bithell Games has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new vampire-themed game described as an 'imslim' genre. Players take on the role of Dracula's descendant, the King of Britain, tasked with eliminating enemies through a unique tile-and-verb action execution system. The game is set to launch in Early Access on Steam.
England Has A New King, And He’s Thirsty For Blood In Vampirium 1997
Bithell Games has announced Vampirium 1997, a non-linear horror game set in an alternate late '90s England where players assassinate enemies for the vampire King of England. The game, described as an immersive sim, will feature careful planning, observation, and the upgrade of vampiric powers. Vampirium 1997 is planned for an early access launch on PC, with a novella titled "The Last Portrait" also released to set the mood.
"Dracula is King of England" - New immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 announced by Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone developer Bithell Games
Bithell Games, known for Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone, has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new immersive vampire sim. Players will act as an assassin for Dracula, the King of England, using dark gifts to eliminate enemies. The game features a top-down tactical perspective with time management mechanics and will be available on Steam Deck.
Become King Dracula's personal vamp-assassin in Vampirium: 1997, an immersive sim Bithell Games are launching into Steam early access soon
Bithell Games is launching its immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 into Steam early access soon. Players will take on the role of a vamp-assassin descended from Dracula, tasked with eliminating his enemies through stealth or direct combat. The game is planned for an approximately two-year early access period, with new content and features to be added over time.
Mike Bithell’s Journey From Auteur To Studio Boss
Mike Bithell, CEO and creative director of Bithell Games, discusses his journey from creating the indie hit Thomas Was Alone to leading a studio. He reflects on the challenges of modern indie development and the inspiration behind his TRON-inspired games, TRON: Catalyst and TRON: Identity. The interview also touches on the evolution of game development and the importance of studio leadership.
DLSS 5 revealed and it’s getting a kicking as it looks like an AI filter
NVIDIA has revealed DLSS 5, its latest AI upscaling technology, which is set to launch later this year. Despite NVIDIA's claims of a significant breakthrough in computer graphics, the technology has faced widespread criticism from gamers and developers who liken its visual output to an "AI beauty filter." Industry figures and online communities have expressed concerns about its impact on artistic intent and visual realism.