Supermono's Tak Fung on Red Robot deal and why he's always wanted to do a location-based game

It's a mark of just how fast the mobile space is moving that it was only two years when one-man band Tak Fung released his debut iPhone game - MiniSquadron.

Since then, the ex-Lionhead developer has built up a team of six - called Supermono Studios - releasing innovative titles such as Forever Drive, EpicWin and Fox Vs Duck, and winning plenty of plaudits including Pocket Gamer awards and a listing in our top 50 best developers list.

And now Supermono has been snapped up by new US location-based outfit Red Robot Labs.

We caught up with Fung to find out more about the deal and his future plans.

PocketGamer: Why do a deal with a location-based game developer now?

Tak Fung: The fun thing is, before Forever Drive even started, we had a prototype location-based game, which was like some kind of RPG-lite thing, but in The Real World. When we worked out how much work that would actually involve, we shelved it to make Forever Drive.

With all the lessons now learnt, we realised to do the location idea justice we'd need some help, and Red Robot came along. It's heavily investing on location-based technology, and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to work on this tech together.

The fact that the mobile marketplace is now insanely high quality and competitive means seeking out a partner like Red Robot means I can keep making games that can compete in this world.

So the deal needs to be now so I can still be competitive in making the games I want to make.

Will Supermono just be folded into the US team in terms of working on their projects?

We will keep our identity and team as Supermono. In reality, we will continue to make our next game, and develop location-technology for it, but this time in an office, and that the technology will be owned by Red Robot.

What's your view on location-based games?

I think there's a big chance to do something really interesting in terms of games with location - much more so than merely checking in.

I also really like the idea of that location-based mechanics are rooted in the actual real world, and it would be great to explore games that mess around with what you can do in physical space. This is an area I had wanted to get into for a while - and now's our chance!

Does this mean you'll be expanding your head count?

We will be expanding our head count, but not by an immense amount.

What's your role now? Less coding, more General Manager?

My role is more GM, that's for sure, but unless someone cuts off my fingers, I will still have a go at coding!

Because we are still a small team, there is a real and meaningful role I can still play in helping to code parts of the engine, R&D, and tools ... and maybe some game systems too. That's everything really, isn't it? Great.

Thanks to Tak for his time.