Indie Game Developer Strikes Gold with Dwarf Mining Adventure
Mike Strollart, a South Jersey-based game developer, has found unexpected success with his passion project, "Below the Stone." What started as a hobby game with friends has blossomed into a crowdfunding triumph, catching the attention of major publishers in the industry. Strollart's journey has been one of perseverance, learning, and a newfound appreciation for the power of player feedback.Unearthing a Gem: The Rise of "Below the Stone"
From Lawnmowers to Dwarves
Mike Strollart's foray into game development began in his middle school days, where he tinkered with tools like GameMaker, sparking his curiosity about the people behind the games he loved. Strollart's early experiments, including the quirky "Lawnmower Simulator: Time to Mow Down the Lawn," laid the groundwork for his eventual creation of "Below the Stone."Inspired by his fondness for the dwarven race in "World of Warcraft," Strollart and his team of friends from New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York set out to create a game that would immerse players in the depths of an underground network of caves. By 2019, the early stages of "Below the Stone" were underway, and the team launched their first crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.
Crowdfunding Success and Publisher Attention
Strollart was pleasantly surprised by the level of support the project received from strangers, not just friends and family. The initial Kickstarter campaign may not have reached its goal, but the team's second attempt in 2021 exceeded their ,000 target, raising over ,000. This success caught the attention of several video game publishers, causing Strollart to reevaluate his preconceptions about the industry."I had always thought publishers were blood-sucking vampires," Strollart admitted. "Every time a publisher reached out to me, I would almost immediately block them or tell them I'm not interested, which is probably the worst idea you could have when somebody's waving money in front of your face." However, one persistent publisher, Apogee Entertainment, managed to win Strollart over with its founder's humble attitude and impressive track record, including credits in iconic titles like "Duke Nukem" and "Wolfenstein 3D."
Embracing Player Feedback
With the backing of a publisher and a growing community of supporters, Strollart found himself navigating the challenges of engaging with prospective players and incorporating their feedback. Initially, he found the process "intimidating but exciting," as the Discord community for "Below the Stone" grew to nearly 1,800 members.Strollart and his team adopted an open-minded approach, actively listening to their players and incorporating their suggestions. "We try to not be the developers who like gatekeep and say, 'Well, this is my vision, and I don't listen to players,' and all that," Strollart explained. "If you're interested in actually playing this game and you're interested in what we're making, why wouldn't I want to listen to you?"
The game has already sold nearly 20,000 digital copies, and the upcoming October 16th update will feature player-recommended improvements to the combat system and the ability to save characters in the game world to assist players later in their quest.
Expanding Horizons: Bringing "Below the Stone" to Consoles
With the success of the early access release, Strollart and his team are now focused on bringing "Below the Stone" to a wider audience. The game is currently available on Steam, and the developers plan to release it on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles after the full launch, which is slated for late 2025 or early 2026.Strollart's journey has been a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace player feedback. What started as a hobby project with friends has blossomed into a crowdfunding triumph and a game that has captured the attention of both players and industry giants. As "Below the Stone" continues to evolve, Strollart's story serves as an inspiring example of the potential for independent game developers to make their mark in the industry.
