Meet the Artist: Regency Solitaire Pt. 1
Q1: During Regency Solitaire I & II production, you hinted at some fabulous research trips! Please tell us how much research goes into your games.
We are big fans of visiting historical buildings and museums. We live a couple of hours from Bath, which is a fabulous hub for all things Regency, as is Brighton. The V&A Museum in London is also a fantastic resource, particularly for costumes. We also love nosing around stately homes, such as Stourhead in Wiltshire, which has not only breathtaking Regency interiors and furniture, but also an incredible classical-themed garden with a lake.
Q2: Marriage is a partnership - how does it work as game developers?
We once gave a talk called ‘Married Indies: How to Ship a Game Without Killing Your Spouse’! That title came about because when we mentioned that we worked together, people’s response was usually that they’d want to kill their partner if they had to work with them!
We’ve been working on games together for over a decade now. There are times when we are working closely on the same part of the same project. But, also, there is a lot of work that we do separately, where we have different business roles, or collaborate individually with other developers.
It’s true to say that it can get a bit intense at times, and it can be hard to switch off from talking about work during our free time. Nonetheless we think two heads are better than one when it comes to game design, and we share the same vision for Regency Solitaire, its sequel, and its prequel, Shadowhand.
Having separate offices also helps!
Q3: Who cooks a special supper after a hard day working together?
It’s usually Helen. If you’re lucky, she might also bake you a gluten-free cake!
Q4: We know you love card games! Apart from solitaire - please tell us about some of your other favourite games.
We play a huge variety of games when we get the chance, partly for fun, but also for research and to keep up with the industry.
Helen enjoys games like Stardew Valley and Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator, that mirror some of her hobbies (gardening, crafts and herbalism). She also loves atmospheric games with great writing, such as Night in the Woods and Cultist Simulator.
Jake loves Peggle for the skill and polish, Resident Evil for the exploration and vibe, and Battlefield as a co-op game with a friend.
We also like to sit around the fire in the winter and play console RPG games together. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, games in the Assassin’s Creed series, Dishonoured and Skyrim are a few examples.
Q5: We know you have a super team of artists based in Ukraine - how did you find them and how have you coped together through the ongoing challenging moments in their country?
We first worked with RetroStyle Games in 2011 on Spring Bonus, and they have made art for many of our games ever since. We were introduced to them by another developer, who’s game art we admired. We love their painterly art style, and they have been good partners over the years.
The artists do still have operations in Kyiv, but of course due to the war many people have been displaced. Due to remote working, it’s been possible for team members to pick up and carry on their careers in a new location.
Members of the team we have spoken to have expressed that it’s hard to plan for the future, but that their preference is to keep going with ‘business as usual.’ We decided for Regency Solitaire II that the best way to support them was simply to keep sending them work. We hope to be able to do that going forward, too.
Q6: You have been invited to the soiree of the season - what do you wear?
Jake will be wearing a classy Hawaiian-inspired shirt and chinos. Helen is in sequins and heels.
7: How do you both keep motivated and motivate each other?
Developing a game is a long process. There will naturally be some times of intense work and motivation, and other patches where it’s hard to keep going. Jake is really good at planning for the bigger picture in a producer role, whereas Helen is motivated by completing individual tasks with deadlines and seeing progress. We both have the common goal of seeing our business succeed, and we remind each other of that and try to make good decisions.
We are lucky to live in beautiful Dorset where, if all else fails, we can go for a walk. It’s surprising how many solutions to design and code problems pop into your head when you step away from your desk.
Q8: Are there any games you want to make?
There are SO many games we want to make. Each of us frequently has great ideas and makes copious notes. However, we only have so many years of game development left… it’s hard to choose!
Q9: Where did the name Grey Alien Games come from?
Jake grew up reading about UFOs and is a big fan of Sci-Fi. Both of us enjoyed shows like the X-Files in the ‘90s and we love Star Trek, The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica…