James:
Your game looks like it is coming along great. Do you have a dedicated designer for it yet?
If not, get one. You need someone who can stay objective about the fun whilst you and your pal focus on programming and art.

Phi:
Yeah we've expanded a bit and have a full team now. It's a great feeling :)

James:
Hey man, sitting here with Reso adoring the GIFs of your game, wondering if you’re interested in him doing some music for it. He needs a game project for his portfolio.

Here’s a link containing some of his more appropriate stuff for your aesthetic. If you like it, I’ll intro!

Hope you’re well sir!

Phi:
Great to hear from you! Reso's work sounds amazing, unfortunately I already have a dedicated sound design + composer on my core team.
We're working out some pretty technically complicated stuff with our adaptive music system for Recompile, so it's really hard to bring in additional composers.
Also - we're definitely going for a more cinematic style with a huge emphasis on musical storytelling, so I don't think it would be a right fit.

I wish Reso the best of luck with finding games projects for his portfolio.

Hope you're well :)

James:
I read up more about your team after I sent the mail and saw that you have a composer onboard. You’re all set for indie superstardom – I’m being serious.

All you need to do now is make sure it’s fucking fun. I don’t see a designer on your core team btw?

Phi:
That's me :) It's a passion and hobby, if not a professional skill. Recompile is a way for me to practice design, for better or for worse!
Of course I'll be relying on lots of feedback and guidance from the experts ;)

We'll see how it goes!

James:
Ok man, I’m absolutely certain you don’t want to hear this, but there’s a good chance you’re going to be too close to the game to make ruthless decisions for the good of the game.

Take a moment to imagine yourself ten years from now. You’re looking back on your life, realising that this game was your golden ticket.

Don’t fuck it up by making the game too hard, too easy, too samey – too easy to make these mistakes when you’re too close to it.

Right, I’ll mind my own fucking business now :p

Phi:
Haha, I understand what you mean though!
Thankfully my team are always constantly knocking my ideas down and making me change stuff against my personal feelings.
It's great and actually eases a huge burden on my part.

I don't mind fucking up. Every game I make is better than the last, and I always cringe at the decisions I made with my old stuff.
The game isn't the golden ticket, its the journey past, present and future. We'll be fine :)

I do appreciate your sentiment.
Keep in touch!

James:
Sounds good, the fact you’re changing stuff against your preference gives me confidence 😊

You’re right that it’s a journey, but it is possible to catch a jet in first class whilst others are searching their pockets for bus fare. You’ve hit on something that has everyone’s attention, EDGE included.

That’s a golden ticket my friend.

Our first Golden ticket was Velocity. We had doors of opportunity fly open as a result of that game because it got a 9 in EDGE. We had an opportunity to give ourselves very different lives with Velocity 2X, and we did – it allowed us to buy a home and live comfortably. We continue making cool stuff after 15 years in business because we know how to spot the golden tickets :p