The current rave at the Google Play store is the 4.5 starrer mobile game Paddle Punch by Tradosoft. This game adds a twist to the classic ball and paddle games such as Arkanoid and Pong that we’ve been playing since our childhoods. There are 4 paddles and all you have to do is keep the ball inside the window. Sounds easy? Well, wait until the ball accelerates! With reviews like “Great UI” and “Simply addictive!” these young game developers from Netherlands seemed to have hit the sweet spot with their first game!
We, at Gaming Central, had the privilege to interview Michiel Pater, co-founder and lead developer at Tradosoft, and the brains behind this simply challenging Paddle Punch that we’re so hooked onto!
Gaming Central: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Michiel Pater: My name is Michiel Pater. I am a game developer from The Netherlands. Together with my best friend Arno Tenkink, we started our company Tradosoft in January 2010. I fell in love with computers when I was 5 years old. Ever since then I have been experimenting with them and learning a lot of things about them. I love programming and I studied IT and Game development. Besides computers I like travelling, swimming and cycling.
GC: When did you get started with playing games (and what was the first game that you remember)?
MP: I started playing games at home on our old MS-DOS PC when I was about 5 years old. The first game I remember.. That is a tough question. I think that
would be Grand Prix Circuit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiTWIDbD8Q4)
GC: How did you get started with developing games?
MP: I started with Web Development and then switched to Game development. The first game I finished was Monopoly in PHP as a webpage. I decided to start studying Computer Games when I was about 19 years old. I attended the study “International Game Architecture and Design” at NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
GC: If you weren’t a game developer you would be a…?
MP: I would probably do regular IT work with my own company. Otherwise maybe a researcher.
GC: What game are you working on right now? Can you tell us a bit more about the game?
MP: It will be a new time based Android game with cool graphics.
GC: On how many games have you worked on so far?
MP: Many, I can’t remember how many exactly. I worked on over 10 projects.
GC: Which game development tools are you using?
MP:Android Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio, Qubicle, GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Paint.
GC: Any other recommendations for software? (project management etc.)
MP: Google Apps, Microsoft Office.
GC: What is your favorite platform to develop for? How do you choose which platform to make games on?
MP: Microsoft Windows. I like this platform, because on a PC you have a lot of options to use. It depends on the game I plan to develop.
GC: What are the specs of your PC/Mac?
MP: This is my laptop: http://us.hardware.info/productinfo/156917/asus-a55vd-sx030v/specifications
GC: What are the gaming engines you can use for developing games?
MP: We develop our own game engines, and I prefer to use them. That way we have the best understanding of our technologies.
GC: What is the basic structure for developing a game?
MP: 1. Selecting a platform to develop on.
2. Come up with a game idea.
3. Developing or choosing an engine.
4. Start developing.
5. Publishing + Marketing.
GC: As a game development studio, what are the challenges you face?
MP: Our biggest challenge is to earn money with our projects. We also have a chance that projects fail, get cancelled or are not received positively by the audience.
GC: How did you come up with the game’s concept?
MP: We were at the birthday party of my business partner (and best friend) and we were simply brainstorming to find new ideas for games to develop. We made a sketch on paper and started developing it the next day.
GC: What were your inspirations?
MP: Our biggest inspiration was the classic game Arkanoid and Pong. I wanted to create a new challenge for people and make it more of a defense game and add modern graphics and online high scores to it, available for mobile phones.
GC: What inspires you outside of gaming?
MP: Travelling and seeing new places. I also love meeting new people from all around the world and that inspires me as well.
GC: What would your dream game be like?
MP: It would be an MMORPG with economy, quests, and a great community 🙂
GC: How was your game development journey so far?
MP: It was great! Although I am still studying I already reached the local newspapers and it is amazing to see people competing in my game.
GC: Gameplay, Narrative, or Graphics? Which is the most important according to you?
MP: Gameplay, because I think having fun is the most important about a game, while Graphics and Narrative would make the game more attractive.
GC: Scifi, Mystery,Action, or Fantasy? What would you choose and why?
MP: I think Mystery. I like to solve puzzles and discovering the unknown 🙂
Gaming Central: Thank you Michiel and everyone at Tradosoft for taking the time to talk to us today, and also for making awesome games. We’re really excited to see more from you folks.
Also, guys be sure to check out Tradosoft on their Website, Facebook Page and more of their game on the Google Play Store!
For more news, reviews and interviews, keep checking back at Gaming Central.
