Awakening is an interesting faith-based RPG in the same spirit as Aveyond and Eternal Eden. I’ve always wanted to find out about the people behind the games I play, so I’ve started things off by doing a short email “interview” with Rebecca from Exodus Studios. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did talking to her! Be sure to download the game, it’s free!
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Well, in addition to being a hardcore gamer, I also draw manga (comic books), and I tinker with computers and design websites. I think of myself as being a creative person, and I try to show that in my games and stories.
I am a follower of Christ, first and foremost, because without Him, I would not have discovered these talents.
What got you interested in making games?
I’ve loved videogames since I was old enough to hold a controller. Those were the days of Atari and NES (ah, the good ol’ days!). I was also fortunate to be exposed to computers at a young age. I started making very simple text-based program ‘games’ using QBASIC, which was my first programming language I learned in middle school. Since then, I’ve always tried to expand my knowledge of different programming languages and learning how to make games with them. Every game I’ve played, I try to study carefully and learn what works and what doesn’t. I think being a game developer is a way of life. You’re constantly learning something new each day.
Why did you make this game in particular?
Awakening, while somewhat a new addition, is one of many stories I’ve had in my head for so long, but just couldn’t figure out how to put it on paper, whether writing it or drawing it out. The large story arc behind Awakening story just isn’t something I can tell in one game.
Additionally, I wanted to use Awakening to ‘test the waters’ for Christian games, essentially. The Christian game industry is very small, as you may or may not know. I’m the type of person that likes being different for a change. Christian games are essentially seen as a ‘different’ kind of game in the secular gaming world, but that’s ok! I kind of like being in a class all by myself 
What challenges did you encounter? Unexpected benefits?
My greatest challenge was patience and staying focused. It’s very hard to work on a game all by yourself. Additionally, this project was not something I was able to work on full-time, which was something I really wanted to do. My dream one day is to develop games for a living, because it’s something I enjoy. I would work on projects 24/7 if I could!
What made you decide to create an RPG rather than some other genre?
RPGs have always been my favorite genre. My favorite games that have given me the greatest inspiration have been the Dragon Quest and Breath of Fire series. RPGs allow you the flexibility to really tell your story the way you want it, unlike other genres. I felt that Awakening would be a more appropriate game as an RPG because of the amount of information and depth that the story has as a whole.
Why did you choose to use RPG Maker for your game?
I’ve always loved RPG Maker. It’s a really fun and super-easy engine to use. Anyone with little to no game programming experience can use it and make a game out of it. In my case, I wanted to make a game within a certain amount of time, and I was already familiar with RPG Maker, so it all worked out best in the end.
What kind of feedback have you received?
I’ve received a variety of feedback about Awakening, most were positive. People seemed very interested in the characters, which I would like to introduce more in future games. I had very little negative feedback about the game, and those that I did receive were very constructive and helpful. I like to take all feedback seriously and learn from my successes as well as my mistakes.
If you could change something about this game, what would it be?
Perhaps the graphics aspect. As much as I love the SNES/16-bit style graphics that RPG Maker has, I would like to eventually take the graphics to the next step for this game in particular. I think the Guardian’s Wing Chronicles (which is what Awakening is a part of) would be more appropriate as a 3D RPG.
How important is developing a community of fans around your games?
I think it’s extremely important! As an indie developer, word of mouth and a good fanbase is the best advertising. I would like to see more people become more aware of family-friendly and faith-based games, especially.
What do you think drives a person to want to create games?
I think what drives a person is the desire to make something better. However sometimes, they don’t realize the amount of work and effort it takes to really make a game. It’s a lot harder than it looks!
How have you integrated your faith/beliefs into this game?
Awakening draws upon the concepts of the book of Galatians in the Holy Bible. One of the key concepts that I really liked was how one must set aside the old ways and habits of living in the flesh and embrace the new ways of living more Christ-like. Sometimes people are not so easily able to do this, as the main character found himself in the beginning, however, with a little guidance and understanding, his eyes were open to the truth.
Can you talk a little about the storyline?
You are Kessal, a young man who had been brought to the church at a young age to serve a god he knew little about (he was told only what was needed). However, one day, he is given a chance to learn about his new duties — one that would require him to make a choice, of after so long of remaining in a sheltered life.
What kind of message did you want to convey with this game?
I wanted to convey a similar message that the book of Galatians taught, and at the same time not being a ‘preachy’ Christian game, as this game was aimed for both Christians and non-Christians. There are many people who might be able to relate to Kessal’s problems, and thus learn about the trials he had to go through in the end.
What are your plans for future games?
My plan for the Guardian’s Wing chronicles is to continue with a new story and introduce new characters. There are many characters in the Guardian’s Wing universe, which can’t be all introduced in one game.
Do you have any advice for beginning game developers?
If you have a story to tell, then tell it. Don’t let anything stop you. Create a game that you, yourself would like to play, and do not worry about trying to impress everyone, or else the game will never be finished. Like everything else, there will be people who will like your games, and those who will not. Learn from both the positive and the negative feedback, and don’t just settle on one. The only way to grow is by learning from your successes as well as your failures.
