Automated management sim GOOD COMPANY -Nostalgia with reference to product design and architecture in the 70's and 80's [Developer Interview]

This project is an interview with the developer of the new indie game that you are interested in. This time, we will provide a mini-interlocked show to the developer GOOD COMPANY developer, which was officially released on June 21 for CHASING CARROTS development and PCs.

This work is a Tycoon-type management simulation on the theme of the manufacturing industry. As an entrepreneur, players struggle to assemble complex production lines, manage employee transfer, optimize supply chains, and aim to be the highest high-tech company in the region. It has already been supported in Japanese.

GOOD COMPANY is being distributed for 2,570 yen (20%off 20%off until July 8).

— First, please introduce yourself. What is your favorite game?

Paul Lawitzki (Paul) Hello! Paul Lawitzki works at CHASING CARROTS, a small game studio in Stuttgart, Germany. I am one of the latest projects and game designers in this studio. He was also involved in programming of this work and was mainly in charge of UI.

I like a lot of games, so it's difficult to choose the most favorite game, but now I say Dark Soul, which I have always loved.

――Why did this work developed?

When Paul 2017 ended the previous project, I had to decide what to make next. We had a lot of ideas within the team, but for some reason, the company simulator focusing on employees in a friendly atmosphere was the most interesting. I thought that many new ideas could be summarized well. I also thought that the vision of this work was perfect for our company culture, so we decided to make it the next game.

―― Please tell me the characteristics of this work.

Paul: I think the characteristic point of this work is focusing on employees and their work environment. In most games, many facilities must be connected. There are such elements in this work, but you need an employee to do anything. Another characteristic point of this work is that you can design products created by players. You can choose products that are cheap and easy to produce, and you can also create products that require a very expensive and complex production line.

――What kind of person do you want this work to play?

PAUL This work is a very friendly game, but it will be quite challenging as you go ahead. The company created by the player gradually becomes more complicated, and the solid planning is important to succeed. Therefore, we want people who want to enjoy a complicated system, those who can make a good plan, and those who like organizing. This work is a game on the theme of discipline, and it is a game that enlarges the organization. Those who are excited to hear this will enjoy this work.

— Is there any work influenced by this work?

Paul Yes, there are some works influenced by this work. The most affected game is Wube Software's Factorio. This work was also very similar to this work at the beginning. But at one point, we turned in a different direction to achieve our ideas. Regarding the visual style of this work, we aimed to feel warm and comfortable anyway so that players can easily spend a lot of time. I wanted you to feel something like nostalgia. I think that this was achieved by referring to product design and architecture in the 70's and 80s.

――What had an impact on the development of the new Coronavirus?

Paul Yes, Pandemic also had some effect on the development of this work. The development of this work began around the end of 2017, and early access began in April 2020. At this time, rockdown was just implemented in Germany. We were a small team with eight people, and until then we worked together in the office. There was a small and cute kitchen, and it was a harmonious atmosphere, such as cooking together. When I had to move on to remote work, it affected the motivation and productivity of the team. But we gradually became able to create our own pace, and we were fortunate or nobody would harm the new corona.

――Is it okay to distribute or monetize this work?

Paul Yes, I love seeing new content using this work on the Internet. I would like you to do it by all means. I also think that it is fair for creators to make videos and monetize them.

-Finally, please give a message to Japanese readers.

Paul We, CHASING CARROTS, is a big fan of Japanese culture. In Europe, the influence of Japanese games is great, so I was very excited when I received an interview from a Japanese game media. I'm glad if this work can be played by Japanese people, and I would like you to enjoy this work and enjoy this work as much as we enjoyed this work. On behalf of the team, we will send you a greeting from Germany!

--thank you very much.