Lantern Light Studios has created a game, called "Gloobs," which they hope to release on iOS and Android.
Anthony Zoccola and Zac Oberg want to create a gaming scene in Athens.
The pair, made up of an Ohio University senior and alumnus, have taken their passion for video games and channeled it into their own game development company, Lantern Light Studios.
During a class last year, Zoccola, who graduated in 2015, and Oberg, a senior studying games and animation, started working on a game called "Blob," which they decided to continue developing after graduation.
They started their company in March 2015 and have spent the past year growing their team and working on the game, now called "Gloobs," which Zoccola describes as a mobile-based puzzle game similar to Candy Crush Saga.
The objective of the game is for players to take on the role of a "gloobologist" and mix together elements with the game’s characters, called Gloobs, to create various end products.
“We tried to make the Gloobs, you know, kind of cutesy, like reminiscent of Pokemon for those who were big fans of that," Zoccola said.
The company has a team of 14 individuals comprised of OU students and working professionals from all over the country. Zoccola says having a team so spread out leads to challenges, but Skype helps bridge the gap.
“If I had to pay for Skype, I would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. I mean it's such a help and I’m constantly using it,” he said.
The game has an educational element, as it encourages players to experiment with real world properties. For example, if a player mixes a fire Gloob with water, steam is created.
Not all combinations have real world properties, though.
“There is some tongue-and-cheek experiments too. You know, if you mix a rock Gloob with cute googly eyes, you get a rock star Gloob," Zoccola said.
The idea behind the setup of the game is to encourage players to try new things constantly.
“We will never penalize you for trying something new," Zoccola said. "We really try to encourage experimentation."
Gloobs recently launched as a closed beta application and will be tested in open beta by July, and feedback from preliminary testing has so far been positive.
“Even with an early prototype I had people of all ages from nine to 30 who couldn't put it down," Oberg said. "That's really what motivates me day-to-day, seeing the delight on a new player's face as they discover what Gloobs is all about."
Zoccola said his goal is to create a game people enjoy and also prove that people can create games in a small town like Athens.
“There isn’t a big gaming scene in Athens and, you know, I’d like to show that you can make games in Athens," he said.
Lantern Lights Studios is also providing OU students with internship opportunities.
“The closest place to get internship opportunities in video games would be Columbus, as far as I am aware," Amber Mayle, a junior majoring in media arts and studies and an intern for Lantern Light Studios, said. "I think LLS is the only local game development company."
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The group’s immediate goal is to get the game running for free for most devices. An Indiegogo fundraising campaign started by the company for the app has raised more than $2,400 out of its $15,000 goal as of press time. Funds raised will be used for "better resources" related to production, according to the campaign's site.
“I'd just like Gloobs to be released for free on Android and iOS for all my friends, family and adversaries to enjoy and to be able to say ‘We made a game that is fun’," Oberg said.
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