Welcome to the Industry Insights and Game Design Thoughts page, where we’ll be sharing valuable perspectives on the game industry, our thoughts on design choices, and the philosophy behind Flight of the Fallen. We hope this section offers insight into our development process, how we approach challenges, and what we learn along the way.

🌍 Game Design Insights

In this section, we’ll dive deep into the creative process, exploring the design of Flight of the Fallen, from narrative choices to gameplay mechanics.

• Narrative-Driven Design: One of the key pillars of Flight of the Fallen is its narrative. Our game is inspired by the myth of Prometheus, and we’ll explore how mythology shapes game worlds and character motivations.
  • Thoughts: "Building a meaningful narrative-driven experience is essential to immerse players in a world that feels rich and alive. We want the story to feel as dynamic as the characters and gameplay itself."
• Player Agency in a Story-Driven Game: A challenge of integrating player agency in a linear story is maintaining player freedom while still driving the narrative forward. How do we balance meaningful choices and consequences without losing the structure of the Prometheus myth?
  • Thoughts: "Our approach to player agency will center on choices that impact world-building, character development, and player relationships. We want players to feel they shape the world they inhabit."

📈 Industry Trends and Innovations

Stay tuned for our thoughts on the latest trends and innovations in the gaming industry. From new technologies to design philosophies, we’ll be examining how the industry is evolving and what excites us about the future of game development.

• HD 2D Games in Unreal Engine 5.4: With the rise of retro-inspired aesthetics in indie games, we’re exploring how HD 2D visuals can be brought to life in a modern game engine like Unreal Engine 5.4.
  • Thoughts: "We’re excited about the potential of Unreal Engine 5.4 to deliver stunning, high-definition 2D visuals. The power of modern engines like UE5 is a game-changer for 2D games, and it allows us to create beautiful environments and characters with incredible detail."
• Embracing Indie Innovation: As an indie studio, we’re committed to pushing boundaries and embracing unique game mechanics that larger studios often overlook. We’ll discuss how we’re finding our creative voice and standing out in the competitive landscape of indie games.
  • Thoughts: "Being an indie studio gives us the freedom to take risks, experiment with ideas that larger studios may hesitate to embrace, and bring fresh perspectives to the gaming world."

🛠️ Development Challenges & Solutions

In this section, we’ll discuss the challenges we face during development and the strategies we use to solve them. This is an open space where we’ll share lessons learned, setbacks overcome, and new insights discovered.

• Tackling Tight Budgets: As a small indie studio, managing our budget efficiently is crucial. We’ll share how we balance creative ambition with financial reality, especially as we wait for Kickstarter funds.
  • Thoughts: "We're taking a lean approach to game development, focusing on the core experience first and outsourcing or using free assets for non-essential elements. Stretching our budget with smart decisions is key to building a quality game on a small scale."
• Building a Remote Team: With a remote-first team setup, we’ll explore how we stay connected, maintain strong communication, and ensure everyone remains motivated and aligned on the project goals.
  • Thoughts: "Remote work has its challenges, but we’ve built strong communication channels through tools like Discord and Notion. We’re committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive remote environment to ensure creativity flows freely despite physical distance."

📝 Developer’s Journal: Insights from Ben H.

As the Founder of Curios Studios, I’ll also be sharing personal reflections on the journey of developing Flight of the Fallen. These entries will be more casual, providing a behind-the-scenes look into my thoughts as I navigate the highs and lows of building an indie game.

• The First Steps: Reflections on launching Curios Studios, creating Flight of the Fallen, and setting the vision for the studio.
  • Thoughts: "The hardest part of starting an indie studio is simply starting. With a dream to make great games, Curios Studios was born out of passion, drive, and a desire to create something special. Every step forward feels like progress in the right direction."