Gamedev Interview: David Lloyd (Flight of Nova)
One of my goals for 2024 is to expand developer interviews. Last year saw a major increase in demand, and I want to help support game developers as much as I can. While I work on the next couple of reviews, I sat down with David Lloyd, creator of Flight of Nova.
Flight of Nova is an ambitious space flight sim that launched mid 2022. Ever since release, David has worked tirelessly on his game. You can buy it on Steam right now, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy David’s insight. Enjoy the interview, and pick up the game!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1069190/Flight_Of_Nova/
Introduction
Let’s start off with an introduction! Please tell me who you are, and what do you do?
I’m David Lloyd, a game developer from Switzerland. Currently working on the simulation ‘Flight of Nova’.
Gaming Questions
What game/studio are you currently involved with? And what position?
I work solo at Aerovery Lab.
What advice would you give those who wish to enter the industry?
First, it is a good idea to have a demo available on the Steam page. Maybe participate in a ‘Next Fest’ with it. (and get exposure before release)
Then, it is crucial to gather at least 10,000 wishlists before the game gets released on Steam.
Marketing before the release is essential. Start at least a year before release: Regularly show videos on Reddit, YouTube, Discord, Twitter (X), Instagram, … and try to always have the Steam page link visible, so people can easily wishlist the game.
Before release, it is also a lot about play testing with folks interested. Discord is perfect for that. Gather a small group of players and run close playtests. Get their feedback to improve things and the experience.
If you still have time to play video games, what are some of your favorite ones to play?
Yes, I find time for that!
I think it’s important to play games, I mean other stuff than projects we work on. It helps to cool off, think ‘outside the box’, and see things differently.
I currently play:
-Nuclear Throne
-Hunt Showdown
-VtolVR
-Assetto Corsa
-Wreckfest
How did you get into your chosen field in the industry?
I always wanted to make a video game. But for a long time I thought it was nearly impossible as an indie. Then, in 2013, I found the Unity game engine. After some time, I started to play with gravitation.
As a fan of flight simulations since my childhood, it seems I ended up making one. The sim I’ve never found anywhere. The one I always wanted to find.
What is the hardest part of your job?
To juggle between coding/developing and community contacts.
What lessons have you learned during your time in the industry?
- Feedback from players is super valuable.
- One cannot do everything oneself.
- Good night’s of sleep and time off are essential to make it on the long run
.
What are your future project(s)?
A helicopter simulation.
If you couldn’t be a game developer, what ideal job would you like to do?
Goat herdsman.
What were your greatest challenges during the development of Flight of Nova?
Some physics issues.
Performance optimization issues.
Shaders coding.
Player data integrity between game updates. (still an ongoing challenge)
What are your plans for Flight of Nova during 2024?
At least two major updates with new game mechanics.
What games were your greatest inspirations in designing Flight of Nova?
Orbiter (space flight simulator)
Lunar Flight
What is your ideal video game if money and time was no object?
A space flight sim with accurate newtonian and aerodynamic physics, hundreds of star systems, thousands of planets, huge cities and undergrounds, gas giants, planets, rings, moons and stars. It would include a functioning economy, a big story, endless missions and adventures.
And all that:
-Multi-player (MMO)
-Cross platform (Windows, Linux, OSX, PS, Xbox, Switch, Commodor64 😉
-VR compatible
… and when you are inside your ship, you could play a classic shoot em up game (like Galaga) on one of the cockpit monitors…
🙂
More about You
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Savor the present moment and contemplate the world.
Coffee or Tea? Or (exult deep breath) what other drink do you prefer, if you like neither?
Coffee.
You can travel anywhere in the universe. Where would you go, and why?
Trappist star system, planet E. The scale of this system and the promise of life there makes it very interesting.
Pick any three fiction characters. These are now your roadtrip crew. Where do you go and what do you do?
-1- Inspector Clouseau
-2- Professor Charles Xavier
-3- Ellen Ripley
We will drive to Norway to investigate the unidentified lights phenomenon at Hessdalen valley.
Finally, what superpower would you most like?
To slow down (or stop) time.