“I think a lot of survival games are really boring,” Geoff ‘Zag’ Keene, founder of Deep Field Games, developers of Half-Life adjacent co-op survival game Abiotic Factor, said in a recent interview. However, despite these strong words, please hold onto your spit take for just a moment.
It’s not the first time Keene’s said something like it and, in fact, in the episode of The AIAS Game Maker’s Notebook, he’s responding to a question about when he said it to cheery RPS fanzine PC Gamer back in 2024. So, please, calmly swallow your spit take liquid of choice, so I can explain why I’m reporting on something Keene originally said two years ago.
This is an interesting perspective on survival games! It’s refreshing to hear a developer emphasize the importance of vibes over just mechanics. It certainly adds depth to the gaming experience. Looking forward to seeing how this approach unfolds in future titles!
the importance of vibes over just mechanics. It really highlights how atmosphere can enhance the player’s experience. I wonder how incorporating more narrative elements could further engage players in survival games.