PLEASE START US OFF BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF:
My name is Toni Cuenca, and I worked as a graphic and web designer for almost 15 years. Four years ago, I decided to take a turn in my career and dive into the world of game development, a dream I had always wanted to pursue.
TELL US ABOUT TIES: SOUL LINK
TIES: Soul Link is my first game, a 2D metroidvania with RPG elements set in the year 2097. It’s an emotional and brutal story about Kiro, a small white fox, who must find his way home with Chloe, a 9-year-old girl. Together, they journey through a world devastated by climate change, filled with secrets and diverse cultures, featuring a dynamic day-night cycle.
The idea began in 2020 as a point-and-click adventure game but eventually evolved into a metroidvania. The story was inspired by my dog, Aria, and the special bond I share with her. Watching her be brave at times and timid at others gave me the idea to develop the relationship between Kiro and Chloe as the emotional core of the game.
HOW HAS THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY BEEN
The development journey has been like a rollercoaster. I started working on it during my free time while I had a job, but a year ago, I decided to commit fully to the project, leaving my job to work on TIES: Soul Link full-time.
WHICH GAME ENGINE DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
I chose Unity as the game engine because it’s great for creating 2D platformers and has an abundance of resources, tutorials, and forums available online, which have been incredibly helpful along the way.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT HURDLE SO FAR?
The biggest challenge has been finding funding for the project. However, little by little, the project has gained momentum through Kickstarter, awards, and other initiatives. Seeing people support and show interest in the game has been a huge motivation to keep going.
ADVICE FOR FELLOW DEVS?
Yes, here are a few tips:
Attend events: Showcasing your game at events can help you gather valuable feedback and improve your project.
Don’t neglect marketing: It’s crucial to reach your audience. You can have an amazing game, but if no one knows about it, it’s hard to move forward.
Be consistent and patient: Game development is a long process full of challenges, but every step forward counts.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Creating a game is a challenging journey that can sometimes make you think about giving up. However, the satisfaction of creating something of your own and seeing others enjoy it is a reward that makes all the effort worthwhile.
-Toni
❤️
