Interview

Ex-Googler Patrick 'Mad' Mork on making F2P tablet-focused action RPGs the right way

Unpeeling new dev Unspoken Tales' strategy

Ex-Googler Patrick 'Mad' Mork on making F2P tablet-focused action RPGs the right way

Following the announcement of Unspoken Tales, we had a lot of questions.

So we hit up Patrick Mork, the new US developer's CEO, who was previously the marketing director of Google Play, and who operates under the self-styled moniker Patrick 'Mad' Mork.

Pocket Gamer: Why does the world need another mobile developer, especially one making action RPGs for tablets?

Patrick Mork: ARPGs haven't been done very well to-date. The vast majority of RPGs derived from brands are ports that aren't properly adapted to mobile. They have up front price points, little to no in-game content and don't leverage the mobile format.

Made for mobile RPGs are F2P and tend to dumb down the game with little or no interesting story, no focus on character development and backgrounds and money-wise tend to nickel-and-dime consumers to death while offering little really compelling content in return.

What do you think are the key areas of opportunity in the mobile games industry at the moment?

  • Better leverage of tablet UI and controls.
  • Exploring 2-screen functionality of having game sessions happening on both tablet and large-screen YV at the same time.
  • Deeper, more engaging story.
  • The development of high-end intellectual property around stories and unique characters.
  • Co-op multiplayer experiences that make games more social and cooperative versus competitive.
  • Improved distribution strategies in Asia and emerging markets.
  • The development of real-world partnerships with retail partners that can help promote digital content.

You've announced just four people at the company (and a shadowy fifth), so who's actually making the games?

We are making the games together with a number of other people who include contractors and full time employees working for sweat equity.

In your mission statement, you mentioned development and distribution but not publishing, so would you consider working with a publisher?

We would consider working with a publisher in markets where we clearly have no expertise or knowledge (Asia for example).

With respect to Americas and Europe, I think it's fair to say I personally have a fair amount of expertise as well a pretty extensive network of industry connections to help us crack that.

You're currently self-funded but do you expect to do the usual funding round waltz in terms of building up the company as a valuable entity?

We will look for funding as needed and are already in advanced discussions with parties that can provide us not only funds but also deep industry expertise, guidance and partnerships.

That said we aim to operate the business conservatively with an eye on minimizing our cost base.

When should we expect to here more details about your debut title?

Expect concrete details around summer time.


Contributing Editor

A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.