PLEASE START US OFF BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF:

We are two French game developers (one artist and one programmer) and "Fire Hero: Pixel Rescue" is our very first project.

We've been working on it for a year, and we estimate that 3 months remain before release.

My partner Cedric is the artist, and he's been working in the game industry for 10 years now.

As far as I'm concerned, I am the programmer, but I had zero experience in the game industry before. I have a software developer background though, but working in standard companies.

I was passionate about making a game, and I started ldoing some game jams.

TELL US ABOUT FIRE HERO.

"Fire Hero: Pixel Rescue" is a 2D pixel art puzzle-platformer that puts you in the boots of an unconventional firefighter, facing urgent situations in a world consumed by flames.

The gameplay alternates between two main phases: exploration and puzzle-solving to reach civilians, followed by tense rescue sequences where you must evacuate the building safely.

HOW HAS THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY BEEN

The game features a wide variety of tools and items that allow diverse mechanics: managing water levels with pumps, using fire extinguishers (you can even use them as a jetpack!), navigating on floating crates, and rescuing adorable animals...

To keep the gameplay fresh, you'll also encounter high-speed chase levels from time to time (on highways or in subway tunnels) where you're chasing down the arsonist.

There are four distinct biomes in the game to vary the environments and hazards: city, underground, office buildings, and forest.

The final major aspect of the game is its emotional and dramatic storyline, which gradually unfolds as you progress through the adventure. It’s told through character dialogue and hidden notes that slowly piece together your memories along the way.

WHICH GAME ENGINE DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I develop using Unity, and my friend does the art through aesprite and LDTK. Unity is perfect for a first project, that's why we chose it, also because I'm fluent in C#.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT HURDLE SO FAR?

Biggest difficulties have been to manage some custom physics systems for the crates floating on water, that is part of our gameplay. Also the UI can be a mess sometimes...

ADVICE FOR FELLOW DEVS?

I suggest any new game dev to not ask themselves too many questions and just start. Worst thing that can happen is just that it doesn't work. No big deal, they will learn something in the process. It's a nice adventure whatever the result.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

Thanks for hosting us!

Ravenlore studio ❤️

Fire Hero - Pixel Rescue on Steam