This week’s featured game developer for GTKYD is Michael Austin, from game development studio Hidden Path Entertainment. Defense Grid: The Awakening is a strategy game that was recently released by Hidden Path Entertainment for the Xbox 360′s Xbox LIVE Arcade, as well as PC. It’s an addictive and challenging game, which puts you in the role of defending your resources from waves of alien invaders (read our review on it here). Find out how Michael has been an influence on the games you’ve likely played in the past, and what games have been an influence on him as well.
Who are you and what do you do in the gaming industry?
Michael Austin: I’m the CTO / co-founder of Hidden Path Entertainment. Really my role changes constantly, even on an hour-by-hour basis sometimes. I do high level management of our development teams, work on a lot of technical research projects, and brainstorm a lot about game design.
What are you currently working on or just released?
Michael Austin: We just released Defense Grid on Xbox Live Arcade. In Defense Grid, you are trying to protect your power cores by figuring out the best way to build a solid defense- I like to call it a puzzle-action-strategy game. We took the best parts of the Flash tower defense games, and then added voice acting, awesome graphics and great balance. I would say I’m partial to it because I was the lead designer, but it’s also been getting great reviews, and it’s a lot of fun. Check out the demo for free [PC, XBLA]! We’re also out on the PC (on Steam, Direct2Drive, and Green House).
How did you get into the games industry?
Michael Austin: After college I ended up in educational software at IBM. I had a friend at Access software (they made Links, if anyone remembers that game), and he suggested I come an interview. I don’t think I realized how lucky I was – the games industry can be pretty hard to get into.
What is your favorite game you have every played on any console and why?
Michael Austin: I have so many favourites, it’s hard to say, especially since I’ve been playing games since I was 5, I think. I have fond memories of the original Zelda, the Final Fantasy series, and Castlevania. More recently I have enjoyed Oblivion and Little Big Planet. I think I like exploratory, big world games for console, but on the PC I do play a lot of MMOs (level 80 druid!) and FPSs.
What are you currently playing?
Michael Austin: Defense Grid, although I’ve been swamped on the high score boards now. I’ve also been playing Shadow Complex, Team Fortress 2, and Champions Online lately – I guess I jump around a lot.
Which games are you looking forward to playing in the next year and why?
Michael Austin: I’m pretty excited about the next Final Fantasy and Brutal Legend. I’ve heard a lot of things about Scribblenauts, and it seems pretty cute as well.
What was the last game that you finished?
Michael Austin: Shadow Complex. I just beat the end ‘boss’ last night, and now I am going to go back and collect all the items I think. I really like going back to the simpler controls of a 2d-sidescroller, while really making the world feel 3d.
What is next for you?
Michael Austin: We have a lot of plans, and after the frenzy of shipping Defense Grid are now still figuring out what we’re going to do next.
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Thanks to Michael Austin, Susan Lusty and Hidden Path Entertainment for making this interview possible! See more details on Defense Grid: The Awakening here at the official website.
See more of our GTKYD interviews here.
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