How Yboga optimised their pipeline with a custom framework for mobile games
SGA: Your first mobile title, Dream Hospital, was quite a success. You’re working on a new project as we speak. You’re also creating a framework for simulation games? Why did you choose this option?
Branislav: Yes, we are making a framework specifically designed for simulation games. It is built on top of the Unity engine. You could say it’s an engine within an engine. The point of the custom framework is to make our jobs easier in the future.
SGA: It sounds like a time-consuming way of doing things. How long did it take to make it fully functional?
Branislav: Yes, it’s time-consuming, but it’ll payout in the long run. We’re working on it since the release of Dream Hospital. The biggest breakthrough was within the last 10 months.
SGA: Presumably, you tweaked it between the first project and the current one. Do you plan to use it even after that?
Branislav: Yes, of course. That is the main point of the framework. The plan is to make more games in the same/similar genre.
SGA: Do you think other teams could benefit from developing their engine or platform? Especially if we’re talking about smaller, agile teams.
Branislav: Well… Yes and no. It depends on their plan and the resources (including time as one of the most important resources). If they want to make more games in the same genre – then go for it. Otherwise, do not waste precious time.
SGA: Unity is a standard now in the mobile industry, but we heard from some team leads that students studying engineering and development don’t like working with it, and it makes it harder to find employees. Apparently, the sentiment goes along the lines of: “I didn’t study all this programming for nothing” 🙂 Any comments?
Branislav: It’s a matter of personal attitude. More than 60% of games are made in Unity. There is a big demand for Unity programmers. But like most things in life, you have to put in the work for it. I would say dedication is the most important key. Also, do they want to master one thing, or know bits and parts of many? In the words of fake Buddha quotes ’ If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time, insight into and understanding of many things.
SGA: What is the future of programming for the gaming industry? If someone is, let’s say 17 at the moment, they’re passionate about both games and dev – what should they do in the next 2-5 years?
Branislav: I would say it’s pretty straightforward. The most important thing for a young and ambitious person is to find the field they are most interested in. And then make games. Use everything that could ease the work. Living in the internet era has made learning accessible. And they should always have in mind the old saying – Practice makes perfect.
SGA: And what about the future of Yboga? What are your plans? What will happen next?
Branislav: We want to enrich world-building and create individual and unique experiences. The plan is to include original storylines that will accompany and affect the regular core gameplay. The final goal is to have games where narrative and the player’s choices have an impact on the game’s progress. Expect some amazing new games in the future! Stay tuned!