While we were going through our old garbage and cleaning up stuff, we came across our old iPaq 3760! The iPaq 3760 was one of the most high tech devices way back–combine an ARM processor with Windows CE OS and you need not carry a laptop anymore! This device was one of our first ever Pocket PCs and the one that started it all–yes, we’re talking about eSoft Interactive! For those who don’t have an idea, eSoft Interactive started as a small hobby and a huge penchant for learning new technologies. About 8 years ago, Windows Mobile (then called Windows CE) didn’t have much software and games on it which is what inspired us to explore the platform and develop games! We sold our first ever game–The Fly–on Handango (one of our very first partners) and has now become a part of Arcade Challenge. When we found out that people loved what we did, we developed and designed more games, turning it again into profits and soon realized that we can convert this hobby into a full-time business–and the rest became history! The good old days!

Bookmark It

In behalf of the entire eSoft Interactive team, I would like to greet everyone a blessed new year ahead! Thank you for supporting us all these years and we hope you can join us again in a fun-filled year of gaming!

Bookmark It

This part of the development phase is our most favorite because this is the time where our schedules loosen up, things become less hectic and everybody gets excited as to how the “real” public will accept our software. But Product release isn’t just about creating a package for the game files and uploading them to our online store, it also involves pre-release marketing, product page development and advertising. Before a new title is released to the public, a product page showcasing the game’s features will be created first and then added to our online store. After this, a press release statement is sent out to all our media partners. Banner ads are created by the art team and forwarded to our merchants. Press copies are handed out to online reviewers. A message board for the new title is also created so we can easily get feedback from our customers and further improve the game should the need arises. At eSoft, it’s not just about selling and generating revenues from our products. We treat our software like our babies, which means we provide regular updates to further improve them and also to support new devices that come out every so often. More than the profit itself, our major fulfillment comes from the players and customers who send us their thoughts and comments about our software. Let us know what you think about our products!

Bookmark It

After all the assets have been integrated and a final build is ready, a copy is forwarded to the eSoft Interactive BETA team for quality assurance and compatibility testing. In this stage, the team thoroughly tests the game for bugs, errors, gameplay issues and loopholes and lasts for at least two weeks. In most cases, the BETA team’s feedback also include suggestions that would further enhance the game. Each point is carefully noted and assessed by the development team and then integrated if they feel the need to do so. On some occassions, new ideas are even voted by the BETA team before it gets on the final version. Once all the bugs have been ironed out and the team feels that the game is almost ready, it is passed on to the web/marketing team for release!

Speaking of the eSoft Interactive BETA team, let me take this chance to thank the guys: pointoflight, blazingwolf, tjasko, fraggler, jledesma, cheryl, spmwinkel, mbaker5408, bacchus_3, ndench, phoebs, reubkov and saldatore. These guys have been with us through thick and thin! If you would like to join our internal BETA team, please feel free to email us at beta(at)esoftinteractive(dot)com.

Bookmark It

If you’re not receiving our monthly eNewsletters, then you’re missing a lot! Subscribe now by visiting our website!

Bookmark It

You may subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter here!

Bookmark It

For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be sharing with you how we create games here at eSoft Interactive in a series of articles. I’ll synch this article with one of our on-going game projects which we’ll call Hoist for now.

Like any other project, game design and development for Hoist began with brainstorming. We usually conduct several brainstorming sessions and invite everyone from the team to share their own ideas and suggestions for a new game. These ideas are then consolidated, sorted out and combined together to form an interesting game. There are no valuable and lame ideas, there are only used and unused ones. Unused ideas are kept for reference and sometimes used in later game projects. We have what we call an “ideabank” wherein all our game ideas, features and miscellaneous stuff are stored for future reference. The chosen ideas are then combined and discussed further so that we can produce a playable prototype out of it.

I usually head all our design sessions within the company and these ideas are very essential to my work. I always expose myself to various games, reading materials and any other media to keep my imagination in its top shape. Whenever I’m not doing any programming work, I usually carry a small notebook with me so that I can easily write my thoughts and ideas wherever I am, that is, if I’m not carrying my PDA. A cool idea or game concept is the heart of a game. It defines whether the game will appeal to its audience or not. It keeps the players interested. If implemented properly, it makes the game a best-seller!

Watch out for for Part 2!

Bookmark It

Being in an industry where imagination is used more often than anything, one of our passions (or most of us, at least) here at eSoft is to catch up on reading–all kinds of interesting books, novels, comic books (yeah! we’re huge Marvel and DC fans!) magazines and other reading materials. Creating video games, like any form of art, comes from a source of inspiration and we often find it by exposing ourselves to various reading materials. This gives us a chance to gather new ideas or something that we can improve our own ideas. Its not always play and work here at eSoft, we also stock up on knowledge about the gaming industry and its history, related businesses, various technologies, upcoming games and software, the latest mobile devices, what’s hot and what’s new. Have you read any good book lately?

Bookmark It

One of the games that got the entire team hooked recently is Advanced Wars: Days of Ruin for the Nintendo DS. This turn-based strategy sequel took on the basic gameplay of the original Advanced Wars and coupled it with new twists, characters, strategies and an engaging storyline. We’ve been playing this game for hours (yes, the game includes multiplayer online play) whenever we’re on break or off work (and yes, we need to keep up with our schedules). Advanced Wars: Days of Ruin will capture the heart of fans and new players alike. It didn’t only keep us entertained but it gave us inspiration in our upcoming games as well! We invite everyone to give the game a try and drop us a message if you wish to duel!

Bookmark It

For more Windows Mobile power tips, please subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter here.

Bookmark It