Great games aren't created in a vacuum.
Being successful in the games industry requires a strong understanding of the medium and the market, and playing lots of games is inevitably a part of this.
Given how crucial this can be for insight and inspiration, and just how passionate this industry is, it's about time more people started openly talking about the games they play.
So PocketGamer.biz will be regularly reaching out to key figures in the mobile games industry to ask them what game (other than their own) is currently keeping them busy after hours. You can view all entries here.
This time, it's Resolution Games CEO and former King Games Guru Tommy Palm with his playing habits in the spotlight.
PocketGamer.biz: What mobile game (other than your own) are you currently playing the most?
Tommy Palm: Kingdom Rush Frontiers
How long have you been playing it, and do you see yourself continuing?
Since it was released. I have finished this game in the series twice.
I will continue to play it frantically until Ironhide, the studio behind it, releases its next game.
What do you enjoy most about it?
The insane levels of polish!
I am most impressed with the balance and level design, but this gem is almost perfect in every aspect.
What does this game do that makes it especially unique and innovative?
It is to me the perfect time killer on long haul flights when I have run out of energy to work.
Every level can be completed several times in different modes to create hours and hours of entertainment.
It is the perfect mix of hardcore and accessible.
If you could change one thing about the game, what would it be?
I would be an shareholder in the company!
People in the industry tend to overrate how important it is to follow the latest trend.Tommy Palm
The game is perfected. I would buy more content if they sold it.
Have you learned anything from this game that could impact your own work?
I think they gained a lot from working in Flash first to perfect gameplay, mechanics and balance.
Then they have done a fantastic job taking the game over to iPhone and making it feel very native to the platform.
More generally, how important is it for those in the industry to actively and regularly play other people's games?
It depends on what type of game it is you are making, I think.
I think in general, people in the industry tend to overrate how important it is to follow the latest trend.
I love how much innovation the indies bring to the games industry, and many times their games feel more inspired and less iterative.
