(Image credit: Ghost Ship Games)
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor’s director recently opened up about the harsh realities faced in the world of game development. He emphasized that his team at Funday Games focuses on maintaining “innovation as low as possible” due to the high costs associated with constant innovation.
Anders Leicht Rohde, the CCO of Funday Games and director of the roguelike spin-off Deep Rock Galactic Survivors, shared these insights during an interview with Edge Magazine’s 407th issue. “It sounds weird but we try to keep our innovation as low as possible,” he elaborated. “We often describe our games as ‘this game but with that.’ True innovation is a time-consuming process, and while some may uncover a hidden gem in game design, many indie developers end up experimenting for years without results. We are an agile studio of 50 people, but we face financial realities.”
In the context of Deep Rock Galactic Survivors, it offers the familiar experience of Deep Rock Galactic’s sci-fi dwarves and underground mining along with Vampire Survivors’ bullet heaven structure.
“Creative work isn’t made in isolation, nor is it uniquely innovative or uninspired by others,” Rohde explained further. “There’s always some level of copying involved, even for those trying to innovate completely independently.”
With the gaming industry witnessing frequent layoffs and studio shutdowns, teams like Funday Games prioritize financial stability over purely novel game designs. As Rohde notes, nothing is entirely original. Even the popular Vampire Survivors excelled by refining a pre-existing formula.
This strategic approach has proved rewarding for Deep Rock Galactic Survivors, as it quickly gained popularity, bolstered by its dedicated fanbase, one of the most active in the world.
If you’re intrigued by innovative indie titles, take a look at some other upcoming indie games set for release in 2025 that promise to capture your attention.