Our fourth cohort wrapped up today and applications for our fifth cohort are rolling in. It’s an exciting time and we’re excited to dive in to a conversation with cohort 4 studio: Diver 2.
In your own words, who is Diver 2?
Madeline: A worker co-op for game developers that focuses on pulp media for our development aesthetics. We focus on creating immersive scenarios to get lost in and use narrative paired with empathy to enhance player experience.
Steph: A video game studio with a cooperative model that strives to be the “Outer Limits” of video game.
What’s your biggest takeaway from the Baby Ghosts program?
Madeline: Success lies beyond a singular title, and instead exists within the consistency of releases. It is better to do a dozen smaller projects that allow all members to grow together than 1 larger project where it’s all or nothing.
Steph: Do not assume anything. Sustainability is a medium to long term goal.
What do you think we (all of us involved in game making) do to make the video game industry better?
Madeline: To paraphrase, a society only grows when people plant trees whose shade they will never sit under. We should develop tools, processes, and financial accessibility for those who are coming next in our field. The process for-profit business models use exploits the drive and ambition of newer peers and we must do all we can to curb this.
Steph: Provide expertises often lacking for indie video game developers looking to start a cooperative. Organise workers under an oppressive capitalistic system. We are stronger together.
Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on right now?
Madeline: Waking up before 11AM. Oh, and a game called ‘Departure’. It’s a spooky little game that sees a player running the night shift in an ATC tower. I based the location off of my hometown (Langley, BC) since it’s the scariest place I know. The game should be released by the end of June and then it’ll be onto a new project which I can’t reveal right now but I will tease it involves a tugboat and the Fraser River…
Steph: We are working on our first video game title called “Departure”. It is created using the technologies we developed over the past 2 years on a previous project. These technologies are key signatures of the kind of games we plan to put out. We want our players to be able to physically manipulate the world around them; have their own sandbox and immerse themselves as the story unfolds.
Interested in being a part of our next cohort?
Applications are open right now!!
We hope to meet you soon,
— eileen & Jennie