Dinosaur Polo Club's Decade-Long Journey: From Mini Metro to a Thriving Studio

Some games leave a lasting impact on the industry due to their simplicity. Mini Metro is a prime example, with its journey spanning ten years. Developer Dinosaur Polo Club is celebrating this milestone with a crossover update between Mini Metro and Mini Motorways. The studio's co-founders, brothers Peter and Robert Curry, reflect on the game's origins, which date back to the 2013 Ludum Dare game jam. Initially, the team consisted of the Curry brothers handling programming and design, Jamie Churchman overseeing art, and Rich 'Disasterpeace' Vreeland leading audio. The game's success led to the decision to form a studio around it, with the first hire taking place in late 2016. Since then, the studio has grown slowly, with a focus on self-funding and providing a sustainable environment for employees. Dinosaur Polo Club has expanded to 26 employees and is now on a path to structuralization, aiming to bring in support staff to ensure a smoother operation. The brothers emphasize the importance of not wasting people's time and creating experiences that are concise and fun. They also discuss the rise of minimalist games, citing examples like Islanders and Townscaper, and how this movement has become more viable. Looking ahead, Peter and Robert are enthusiastic about the indie game development scene in New Zealand and their continued partnership with Apple. They express their appreciation for the supportive relationship with Apple and the opportunities it has brought to the studio.