Tend Board Game Discussion with IV Studios | Ep 25

Roll & Reflect Podcast

On today's episode, Mark talks with Austin of IV Studios around premium games and their new game on crowdfunding, Tend.

Reflection Question:
IV Studio makes some of the most beautiful and satisfyingly tactile games on the market. So with an audience that appreciates that, but also an audience that might want “just the basics,” what discussions are had to decide what parts and what games are made more premium? What is stopping IV Studio from just making cards and chits?

⌛ Timestamps:
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0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Reflection Question
7:17 - Austin Harrison/IV Studio Intro
9:27 - Tell us about your newest project, Tend
13:09 - You call this game a cozy kind of farming game - can you elaborate on what that means and how you might think it differs from other types of farming games?
15:01 - What inspired the creation of this game? Where did it come from and how did it evolve into what it is now?
17:58 - What is it that you hope players will walk away with? How do you want them to feel after playing this game?
21:00 - In the game, how did you create an immersive farming experience on an alien world?
23:15 - With all the different aspects and elements of the game, what are some of the most interesting strategies you’ve seen and have developed over time?
26:05 - What inspired the phase of the game where players can share resources? Was that an early development idea or did that come later on?
27:49 - Can you give us a walkthrough of a typical turn?
30:15 - Why is fishing one of your favorite aspects of the game?
31:18 - You mention Stardew Valley being a kind of inspiration for Tend - how did you settle on the art and atmosphere for the game?
32:37 - What’s the collaboration process like between IV Studio and the game artists? Are there things that come up and you have to go back and edit?
34:33 - For the development process, what would you say was your biggest challenge that you came up against?
37:39 - What was something that came from playtesting the game that was unexpected? What changes came about because of the playtesting? What was your favorite change?
39:03 - How has the community responded to your community challenges feature? Is this going to be something that will always be part of the ongoing life of Tend?
41:28 - Do you have any ideas or plans for the future of Tend?
43:21 - Beyond Tend, what are some other things that you can talk about that you’re starting to work on for the future?
44:17 - What are some of your dreams, or goals, or something you haven’t even started yet but would love to try and do?
44:55 - Where can people find more information about Tend?
45:23 - The Beyond
49:14 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links:
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https://shop.iv.studio/
https://tend.iv.studio/
https://www.bouncysmash.com/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivstudios/tend-0

📃 Credits:
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Mark Streed - Co-host
Austin Harrison - Special Guest
Tim Riel - Reflection Question