Made with Diversion Showcase: Barko & the Lost Bone
Introduction
Meet Kade Markoux, a passionate Blender 3D artist turned indie game developer, who has been on an exciting journey since 2009. Based in Palm Bay, FL, Kade's love for game development ignited when Unreal Engine became free to use in 2016. This post dives into Kade's story, his current project, "Barko & The Lost Bone," and how Diversion has played a pivotal role in his development process.
The Genesis of a Game Developer
Kade's transition from a 3D artist to a game developer wasn't straightforward. His journey began with a fascination for afternoon cartoons and endless gaming sessions on Atari, Nintendo, and PlayStation consoles. Despite dabbling in Unity, Kade found programming in C# challenging and instead focused on 3D modeling until Unreal Engine's visual scripting system, Blueprints, resonated with him due to its similarity to Blender's texture shaders.
Growing up in a military family, Kade moved frequently across the US and even spent a few years in Germany. His technical background, bolstered by a degree in Aerospace Maintenance and a stint in the Air Force, laid a solid foundation for his troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, crucial in game development.
Barko & The Lost Bone: A Tribute to Canine Companions
"Barko & The Lost Bone" is an indie game inspired by Kade's dogs, Carly and the late Coda. The game targets pet lovers, platformer fans, and retro gamers, blending old-school charm with modern aesthetics. The project is a heartfelt homage to his dogs, particularly Carly, whose constant barking inspired the game's protagonist, Barko.
The game is set to launch on PC/Windows with plans to expand to consoles if successful. Kade's dedication to the project is evident in his commitment to addressing player feedback and ensuring a polished gaming experience.
Visual Challenges and Workflow
As an artist, Kade faced numerous challenges in defining the visual style of "Barko & The Lost Bone." He aimed for a unique mix of retro and modern aesthetics, experimenting with colors, lighting, and meshes to create a vibrant, cartoonish world. His low-poly, stylized approach allowed him to produce assets quickly while maintaining a distinct visual identity.
Kade's workflow involves concept creation, 3D modeling in Blender, and importing assets into Unreal Engine. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on experimentation and breaking conventional rules to find what works best for his vision.
Discovering Diversion
Kade stumbled upon Diversion while browsing the Unreal Engine Marketplace. Initially skeptical, he was pleasantly surprised by its ease of use and similarity to GitHub. Diversion's support for large files and responsive customer service convinced him to migrate his project from GitHub. The seamless transition and robust support have made Diversion an integral part of his development process.
Advice for Aspiring Game Developers
Kade encourages aspiring game developers to take action on their ideas. He advises them to form, plan, and write down their visions, then move beyond just talking about them—make them happen. Kade also extends gratitude to gamers who provide feedback, emphasizing the importance of player support for indie developers.
