We recently went to PAX Aus 2024 and got the opportunity to talk to Rowan Game Designer and Developer of Mistforge Turn-based roguelike with terraforming, where players use magical abilities to terraform and reclaim a world in flux. Explore, fight, and strategize in a procedurally generated landscape, pushing back The Mist and uncovering its secrets.
Kyle
What’s going on guys, we’re here at PAX Oz 2024, we just got done playing Mistforge, we’re here with Rowan, one of the developers of the game. Mate, would you be able to give us just like a elevator pitch, this is what the game is, here’s how it works.
Rowan
Yeah, sure thing. So it’s a turn based roguelite with terraforming, the world has sort of been fractured apart and it’s encompassed by this antagonist that is a fog of war come to life.
So your job in the game is to try and push back that fog, keep your camp safe, and explore and survive.
Kyle
It’s really fun, it’s really really fun. What are some of the inspirations? Because while playing it felt very much like I was playing a board game, like the turns, the upgrades, it was, it just felt very board gamey.
Were board game is a big inspiration, what were some of the inspirations behind the game itself?
Rowan
Yeah, so originally it came from the idea of, uh, Dwarf Romantic with combat. And so we’ve ended up with kind of a cross of Dwarf Romantic and For the King, which are both very board game like, uh, or board game inspired games.
And yeah, so I’m glad that you saw that because we do have a lot of inspiration there, um, the close, uh, Local length on the camera that the turn based nature of the game, the little tokens look like they could be little board pieces that are on, you know, on your table at home. And I personally just kind of love the aesthetic and that’s what I’m leaning into.
Kyle
Cool. So just a, a personal question now, what got you into game development? Like, what made you make this into a game and not an actual board game? So what is it about game development? What got you in?
Rowan
Yeah, so I mean, as opposed to like board games and computer games, I guess computer game, computer games played a really important role for me in my childhood.
That’s kind of where I started. I think I was trying to mod Neverwinter Nights, or trying to make a custom level for Neverwinter Nights as a, you know, young pre teen. And just had this moment where I was like, No, this is what I actually want to do. This is what I really enjoy doing. And that’s what I’m going to do with my life, and that sort of set me on the path.
Kyle
That’s awesome. Okay, last question, because I know you’re busy and there’s a lot going on, so for your time. Uh, for all the budding game developers out there, people that are making their indie games, who may want to come to PAX, showcase their game and all that fun stuff, what’s the one piece of advice you would give them?
Rowan
Keep making games. Just do it. Just keep making games. Make small games. Go to game jams. Just keep doing it. Enjoy it. And just, yeah, just make games. That’s really the best thing that you can do. Yeah, awesome.
Kyle
Well, thank you for your time. Ladies and gentlemen, make sure to go to Miss Forge. Go to Steam Wishlist it now. It’s a lot of fun and it’s really great, mate. Thank you for your time. Have a great PAX. Thank you.
Rowan
You too.
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