Interview
Phantom Compass, Canada
Ericka Evans is the 20-year industry veteran who heads the production side of Phantom Compass that made Rollers Of The Realm a NYX winner!
1 Please provide us with a brief bio of yourself and your background.
I am a Gemini Award Winning Producer with over 20 years experience working in Television and Game Development. I am also a Studio Partner and Head of Production at Phantom Compass where I have been involved in making great games with the team for the past 11 years.
2 What led you to become a Game Developer / Marketer?
My parents were OG gamers back in the days of Atari and Intellivision, so gaming culture was a family affair.
3 What is your role in the company, and what traits should a game developer / marketing professional possess to be successful in their role?
My title is Head of Production, but as we are a small team that means that I still get to be hands on with design, but also project manage and handle budgets etc. I think that in order to be successful in Game Development, you need to be able to internalize the project vision so you fit your day to day tasks into the bigger picture and stay on target.
4 Tell us more about your studio / company.
Phantom Compass is a Canadian senior team with 12+ years of studio experience and 60+ years of combined management experience. We’re Unity3D experts, creating custom games for clients and original IP for desktop, mobile, tablet, VR and console.
5 What is your own definition of a great game?
A great game is one that makes you want to share it! I love playing games with my friends and family. Even single player games can be great shared experiences, by sitting on the couch and passing the controller every once in a while, or just talking about them.
6 Describe the genres of the game(s) your studio / company specializes in, as well as its main characteristics.
Phantom Compass has worked on a wide variety of genres including car combat, puzzle and genre blends like our Pinball + RPG franchise, Rollers of the Realm and Rollers of the Realm: Reunion. We have experience with multiplayer-online, couch-co op or competitive and single player experiences. We are excited by trying new things and gaining new experiences.
7 Tell us more about your ideation process.
Our project ideas are discussed and massaged by our team and then prototyped in Unity3D, or sometimes even by paper prototyping. We try to explore and prove out the core mechanics or game feel before moving forward. Sometimes that’s where ideation stops and sometimes the ideas flourish into full projects.
8 Congratulations! As the winner of the NYX Game Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It always feels good to have your hard work noticed and appreciated. It’s wonderful the NYX Game Awards has recognized the potential for this project that is so close to our hearts.
9 How has winning an international award help promote your company and game?
Winning an international award gives an extra amount of credibility for our company and products when we are looking for publishing or funding partners for our projects
10 What are the challenges of developing / marketing your winning entry(ies)?
Breaking through the noise and getting your game message covered is a huge challenge.
11 How has the country, you are based in, helped during your ideation process?
We are grateful for the support of our Canadian funders, CMF (Canada Media Fund) and Ontario Creates in the development of this project.
12 What are the current trends in the game industry that you are most excited about?
I am personally most excited about the wholesome games movement and the variety of stories that are now being released.
13 What are the top THREE (3) favorite things about the gaming industry?
I love that games culture now spans generations and it’s something that can bring people together. Working in this industry I’m never bored. Every day is a new challenge. The people that I have met in this industry are particularly amazing.
14 What resources would you recommend to someone who is searching to improve their game designs and development ideas / skills?
Reading articles by developers who generously take the time to share their experience and connecting personally with other developers at places like developer conferences or in digital spaces like Discord
15 Where do you see the evolution of the gaming industry in the next 5-10 years?
I wish I knew... I’d start making the next greatest hit now.
16 Who inspired you in your life, and why?
My mom. She’s much cooler than me, but we both like to get things done.
17 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
I think the key to my success is that I care about our products, the people who make them and the people who enjoy them. I try to keep those all in mind and in balance when developing.
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