The Significance of Ownership in Game Development: Lessons from Pistol Shrimp

Pistol Shrimp, a studio founded by veteran Toys For Bob developers, emphasizes the importance of owning the tools and intellectual property that fuel their creativity. In a conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, co-founders Fred Ford and Dan Gerstein reflect on their past experiences and the lessons they've learned about the significance of ownership in game development. Their journey, from working with Crystal Dynamics to their time at Toys For Bob, has been marked by challenges related to control over their creations and the tools they use. Ford recounts how he and fellow co-founder Paul Reiche had to navigate legal disputes to regain control of their sci-fi strategy series, Star Control, after it was developed under the Toys For Bob studio name. The duo's experiences with middleware and the constraints imposed by publishers have also shaped their approach to game development. Gerstein notes that while engines like Unity and Unreal have made game development more accessible, they can also limit creativity by imposing a one-size-fits-all solution. The studio's decision to use the open-source Godot engine for The Ur-Quan Masters 2 was influenced by their desire for flexibility and control. Ford praises Godot for being more Spartan and C++-based, which aligns with their development preferences. Gerstein emphasizes that the key to successful game development lies in maintaining agility and the ability to adapt to different tools and engines. He advises developers to stay open to new technologies and to prioritize ownership of their creations, highlighting the importance of community support and the value of learning from others. Ultimately, the story of Pistol Shrimp serves as a reminder that ownership and control are essential components of the game development process, allowing creators to bring their unique visions to life without undue constraint.