Prime Gaming Black History Month Developer Spotlight #3: The Media Indie Exchange
Welcome back to the Prime Gaming blog for the third developer spotlight of our Black History Month spotlight series, which highlights the incredible creators behind several of the games included in Free Games With Prime this February. Today, we’re excited to introduce Justin Woodward of The Media Indie Exchange, whose game BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad is available for Prime Gaming members to claim right now!
Justin Woodward is a co-founder, creative director and owner of the independent game studio Interabang Entertainment, and he’s also the co-founder of The Media Indie Exchange (The MIX). Additionally, he is the lead advisor and curator for the Humble Black Game Development Fund and is an advisor for promotional gaming content at IGN.
Woodward is an extremely determined and motivated game producer and entrepreneur with talent, training and knowledge in game production and management. Throughout his career, Woodward has been passionate about expanding and adding value to the independent development culture through collaboration, foundation building and creating sustainable development programs. With his toes dipped in various areas of the industry, we were pleased to speak with him about all things BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad.
Here’s a little about BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad in the developer’s own words:
“BATS is a throwback to the action sidescrollers of the 16-bit era, with a modern twist. It’s a fast-paced, arcade brawler-shooter-slasher that rewards precision play and pixel-perfect timing. Play like a pro or take your time running around killing terrorists, slicing off heads and sucking up blood at your own pace.”
PRIME GAMING: What was the hardest part about making this game?
Justin Woodward: BATS was based on a professional friend’s idea for a stop-motion animation show that was being pitched to major studios. It is basically a spoof on G.I. Joe and other ’80s children’s television shows and toys but remixed in a way that is subjectively inappropriate for kids watching it due to the characters being vampires. Since it was a partnership that was molding a property with the vision of their show and our sensibilities of retro game design, it was challenging to keep the vision whilst innovating on the idea and gameplay while maintaining the scope of the game.
PG: What was your fondest memory during development?
JW: My fondest memory of the game was constantly iterating on the combat mechanics build after build and seeing how quickly we could integrate and adjust the game. Things just flowed. Working with the team and Simpatico Communication is bonding and gratifying.
PG: If there was one person or group you wanted to work with, who would it be and why?
JW: It would be great to work with WayForward. I have always respected their design, artistic sensibilities, and integrity for the original and licensed games they were able to develop at such a high level with consistency.
PG: What is one thing you want people to take away from your games?
JW: I want people not only to have fun with the games I help to produce, I want people to get inspiration and creative juice to get out there and create their own worlds, tell their own stories and just make cool games.
PG: Where can people follow your work?
JW: You can follow our work on Twitter @interabangent and @indieexchange, as well as @_RitualGames_.
About Black Voices in Gaming:
Black Voices in Gaming (BVIG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Black game developers and artists with a gaming industry education and community focused on mentorship, marketing, funding, and support. It is our mission to increase the representation, reach, and impact of Black game developers across the industry.
Tiltify:
https://tiltify.com/black-voices-in-gaming
Social:
Twitter: @BVIGaming
Instagram: @blackvoicesingaming
