Video: Adam Atomic talks Canabalt

Hey Everyone.

We have a new video that we wanted to share. Back in May we sat down with Adam Saltsman (aka ‘Adam Atomic’ of Semi Secret Software & Flixel fame) while he was grinding away at PegJam. We started the interview with the purpose of fleshing out game jams for a short piece on the event (see here), but we quickly segued into talking about Canabalt and larger gameplay topics.

Early this year, Adam was brought up to Winnipeg by New Media Manitoba to give a day long talk on iPhone development, the App store and, of course, Canabalt. Adam’s a great speaker and easily filled the entire day talking about his App Store experience.

One of the things I walked away with was an appreciation of just how much the simplicity of Canabalt belies the thought and intentional decisions put into it.

Case in point: It’s a one button game, and Adam effortlessly talked for six hours about making it.

So in talking to him at PegJam, we wanted to capture a taste of the conceit that a simple game done well is anything but simple.

Also, in making this video, we wanted to challenge ourselves and see just how far we could take and enhance footage from a single camera, 5 minute conversation, using just our editing wiles and access to the Internet.

And this video is the result...

(Note: We should mention that this is NOT a segment from Indie Game: The Movie. It's just something that we made along the way, that we thought you'd enjoy)

Comments

[Jonathon Wisnoski]

One of the most interesting game developer interviews I have ever listened to.

[Lucas]

Thanks for sharing this. It is interesting how "Canabalt" is a compromise of what people often understand to be polar opposites, casual and action games. It stays simple and does not confuse accessibility with look, feel, or abundant forgiveness.

Also, I had never noticed how its sound effects are subtly shifted to the right or left. Neat.

I find it interesting to hear developers talk about their work. It often reveals new perspectives not only on the games themselves, but the processes of design and development.

[Sid Odin]

I definitely love how the independent gaming scene is carving its own name in pop culture. Good times, and more power to you guys!

Sid Odin
Wow Accounts

[Luke]

Canabalt was my re-entry to gaming after a couple of years away, and opened my mind to the possibilities of how much fun an indie developed, simple game can be. I'm not bubbling away with ideas about how I can develop something of my own. Great to see the interview.