From naval warfare to foraging for berries, Evil Twin Artworks boast a diverse portfolio of games. The indie company was founded by brothers James and Mark Carroll in 2011, and they’ve been producing a wide variety of games and apps ever since.
“Our approach to development is: ‘What game would we like to play?’”
“We’re all round gamers; we regularly play board games and tabletop battle games,” says James. “In terms of video games, we play PC strategy and action adventures mostly. All of these influences cover the games we make and want to make. Essentially, our approach to development is: ‘What game would we like to play?’”
A history of gaming
The brothers’ gaming history goes back a long way, but their professional route as game developers was circuitous.
“We always wanted to make computer games, but were born too late for the ’80s Spectrum revolution, and the industry was tough to break into in the late ‘90s. Instead, we started animating, making shorts for TV on things like the Adam & Joe Show for Channel 4.”
However, with the advent of smartphones, new possibilities arose. “As with many people, the creation of the App Store opened up a lot of opportunities for those wanting to move into games development, so we jumped straight in.”
Things seem to have been going pretty well since then. The company’s recent output includes River Cottage Get Foraging!, based on the popular Channel 4 show; GooHoo, a mobile game about a microscopic super-weapon controlled by radio; and Victory at Sea – a Real Time Strategy combat game.
Foraging fun: Help Hugh find his hidden fruit and veg [Image credit: Evil Twin Artworks]
James explains: “Victory At Sea was the first major release for us. We collaborated with Mongoose Publishing, who are local to us, and turned their tabletop version into a virtual World War II battlezone.
“We felt we could either continue going from one work for hire project to another, or take a risk on something we really wanted to do”
“This was the first game we really wanted to make for ourselves. We had a lot riding on it and it really was a do or die situation. Ultimately, we felt we could either continue going from one work for hire project to another, or take a risk on something we really wanted to do.
“Luckily for us, it worked! On launch day, it peaked at Number 5 on Steam’s Global Top Sellers chart and it quickly built up a following. In November 2014, we won the TIGA award for Best Action Adventure by a small studio. It really put us on the map and helped us get on the top 50 list of England’s creative entrepreneurs.”
Victory at Sea was also shortlisted for our own SPARKies Best Game Award 2015. The company’s steady growth and successful track record has laid foundations for future projects close to their hearts.
“The game we are currently making would not have even been on our radar as a possibility eighteen months ago,” James says. “It just seemed logistically impossible, but now we’re being taken seriously and people are waiting to see what we do next.”
Developing local talent
Based in Swindon, their geographical location has also presented a few challenges, but now they’re focusing on talent development.
“For the last few years we have been working with young people across the town, encouraging local creative talent”
“Swindon’s nice and neatly tucked in between London and Bristol, but we do have have trouble finding and retaining local talent. So for the last few years we have been working with young people across the town, encouraging local creative talent. Our team actually comprises of people who have visited our courses and have been inspired to progress further in the games industry.”
Bombs away: Evil Twin Artworks made a splash with Victory at Sea [Image credit: Evil Twin Artworks]
So what does the future hold? Well, they have plenty to keep them busy. James tells us: “We have several cool products lined up, mostly based on existing well-known brands, but there’s not enough hours in the day to make them all right now! We’re currently looking at the next PC game with Mongoose, but I can’t tell you exactly what that is yet. Expect more naval action—though not necessarily WW2.
“We’re also working with a large Fantasy brand right now. That will be our next major launch. I will be excited to show you what it is, although right now it’s all under wraps!”
For more info on Evil Twin Artworks’ talent development scheme, you can get in touch via their website. You can also find them on Facebook and follow @ievilgames on Twitter. Victory at Sea can be downloaded on Steam, and is also available to buy at most game stores.
