Features// Games Industry Insights with Paul Rustchynsky, Evolution Studios

Posted 27 Dec 2012 11:00 by Svend Joscelyne

As 2013 comes into sharp focus, SPOnG turns to the real video games experts: the people who actually make games. We have posed the same five key questions to some of the most interesting and insightful publishing and development figures in the global games industry. We got their unedited, open and highly informed opinions and we are publishing them in multi-part series of insights.

Industry Figure: Paul Rustchynsky
Job Title: Game Director
Company: Evolution Studios
Best Known For: Motorstorm RC

SPOnG: In what ways has the rise in tablet and mobile gaming proven beneficial/challenging to your work?

Paul Rustchynsky: The growth in the tablet and mobile markets over the past 12 months has been incredible, and I think there’s huge potential for this aspect of gaming to elevate and enrich the experiences offered by console gaming.

The challenge for developers is to create meaningful ways to enhance and expand the experience outside of the living room which we’re already starting to see some examples of, but I think we’ve got a long way to go yet.

SPOnG: How do you feel the industry has coped with regards to the economy, particularly redundancies and studio closures?

Paul Rustchynsky: Games development has for a long time been a volatile industry and, while the current economic challenges certainly haven't made things any easier, it’s a climate that fosters innovation. There’s been an explosion of smaller indie teams developing exciting games in new ways for new devices, and that innovation is galvanising the console gaming world too.

Studios of all sizes are becoming more focused and more determined to deliver quality and accessible experiences and ultimately that’s a good thing for the industry and, more importantly, for gamers.

SPOnG: What's your opinion of cloud gaming? Have Gakai and OnLive helped with perception?

Paul Rustchynsky: There is massive potential in this area. Sony’s acquisition of Gakai goes to show how important we think cloud gaming will be; it’s going to be a big part of the future of gaming. I think it’s genuinely exciting, it opens a lot of possibilities for both developers and gamers, and as we start to see more examples of cloud gaming introduced then I think we’re going to see more and more gamers share my excitement.

SPOnG: Crowd-funding (i.e. Kickstarter) has become a popular method for games developers to pitch their projects. What's your opinion of it? Would you use it? Have you?

Paul Rustchynsky: Crowd-sourcing is fascinating. On a conceptual level I think it’s a fantastic way to fund games, especially for the more obscure or risky titles which may have been troubled to secure funding otherwise. I do have concerns that investors might not always reap the rewards (or even get what they were expecting from it) though.

I have personally invested into a small number of Kickstarter projects and I’m as excited about the experience of watching these games develop and grow as I am about being able to play them in the future!