Video games have become a booming industry since the rise of the home gaming console markets in the 1980s. And with this boom comes the desire for more people to make the game of their dreams. Here at UHCL, Andy Robb, a graphic design and communications student, has started his own indie game company called 3DICE GAMES.
Robb founded the company in late 2016 and made the studio’s public debut at the 2017 Game Developers Conference (GDC). But how exactly did 3DICE GAMES get started?
Robb worked on gaming development on and off throughout 2012 and 2013 after he started various projects and then drop them. However, UHCL changed things for Robb.
“A lot of my UHCL classes played a part into the projects 3DICE GAMES is developing,” Robb said. “They provide me with a nice outlet to experiment with various concepts and ideas. My professors and classmates also have inspired a lot of the characters and stories that will be seen in our projects. When I was in my sophomore year, I decided I would pick back up game design.”
With this, the spark ignited and 3DICE began to take shape. Robb’s parents helped him form the LLC. From there, he called his old high school teacher, Jesse Loudermilk, an engineering and technology teacher at LA Porte High School, and helped co-found 3DICE Games.
“3DICE GAMES has a core group of four full-time members,” Robb said. “Then we have two remote work-for-hire artists, one remote work-for-hire engineer, one remote work-for-hire animator and two playtesters.”
3DICE is currently working on three projects with the first being officially revealed as “Mega Food Battle.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a game designer and figured if I didn’t start throwing myself into it now, I would never do it,” Robb said.
This same kind of determination is present in other members of the 3DICE team including Madi Coates, UHCL literature major and art designer/writer at 3DICE.
“Thankfully, at 3DICE GAMES we all share a common vision with our games which makes the game development process a fun and exciting challenge,” Coates said.
One of the big benefits that comes with being involved in game design is to be able to travel and go to conferences with other developers. 3DICE made its official debut last February at GDC.
“A lot of [developers] them were very nice in person, and [they] were very interested to hear my team’s story and offer resources/advice to help steer us in the right direction,” Robb said.
Conferences are also where developers make their huge announcements. This past September at Austin Game Conference, 3DICE officially unveiled “Mega Food Battle,” a 1-8 player arcade brawler. Players choose their characters, arenas and battle it out in an all-out brawl while trying to get the other players into the death ball, an object that knocks players out of the arena. The last character standing wins the game.
“Our main focus on this game was to design a frantic, 1-8 player arcade experience,” Robb said. “We want to tap into games such as ‘Bubble Bobble’ and ‘Starwhal’ to create a charming and fun experience for players.”
“Mega Food Battle” will be released in 2018 on PC and Mac.
3DICE has come a long way since its inception, and there’s more to come. Robb and his team have two other projects in development plus their own personal goals for themselves and the company.
“It has definitely been a crazy ride and a lot of work so far, but I am looking forward to what we churn out and where this venture takes us, “ Robb said. “Currently, my big goal for 3DICE GAMES is to get one of our titles on the Nintendo Switch.”
The resolve of the company is just one facet of 3DICE. What makes Robb and Coates unique is how they balance game development with being college students. The pressures of college are a reality to the students. However, Robb and his team take the challenge head-on. In fact, Robb says the duality of his situation feels like Clark Kent and Superman.
“When I go to conferences like GDC and AGC. I feel super powerful and important, (like Superman),” Robb said. “But, then I get home and go to class, and I am back to being a regular ol’student, (like Kent).”
This can-do attitude extends to Coates as well.
“School is my priority, but the opportunity to get to stretch my creative muscles and learn new skills is something I always make time for,” Coates said.
When all is said and done, however, the heart of 3DICE is still creating memorable and unique experiences for players everywhere.
“At the end of the day, I hope our games are entertaining, challenging and something that people grow to love,” Coates said.
