From Kingdom Approach to Scribe RPG: A Warhorse Studios Veteran’s Indie Journey

Mikuláš Podprocký, formerly Art Director at Warhorse Studios – the creators of the acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance series – has embarked on a new chapter in game development with his brother, Tomáš. Leaving behind a successful career contributing to titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and the Mafia series, Podprocký now leads Rawmeat Studio in the creation of Scribe RPG, a retro-inspired role-playing game.

A Shift in Focus: From AAA to Indie

After working on both Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its sequel, Podprocký made a deliberate decision to pursue a smaller-scale project. “After working on the big titles, I wanted to try something smaller. Something that was just about our abilities and freedom,” he explained. This desire for creative control led to the formation of Rawmeat Studio with his brother, Tomáš, who had limited prior game development experience.

Scribe RPG: A Love Letter to Retro Gaming

Scribe RPG draws inspiration from classic titles like Another World, Monkey Island, Flashback, and Shadow of the Beast, aiming to capture the atmosphere of the golden age of video games. The game features hand-created pixel art and blends RPG elements with platforming, puzzle-solving, and adventure gameplay. The game is set in a fantasy world where books are forbidden, with the player taking on the role of a scribe.

Development Challenges and Kickstarter Setback

Despite the promising concept, the development journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. A Kickstarter campaign to secure funding for Scribe RPG fell short of its goal, raising less than a third of the required one million Czech crowns. Although, the brothers persevered, choosing a slower pace of development without publisher involvement to maintain creative control and avoid burnout.

Balancing Indie Development with Full-Time Work

Both Podprocký brothers continue to work full-time alongside developing Scribe RPG. Tomáš leads a team of testers for Porsche, while Mikuláš works as a freelance artist, including creating comics. “Sometimes it’s a challenge to combine it with a job,” Tomáš admits, “Also, when the demo is released, the job doesn’t end, on the contrary.”

Pixel Art and Pragmatic Design Choices

The game’s pixel art style wasn’t solely a stylistic choice. it was also a pragmatic decision. “People often think that the only reason for pixel art is to go retro. That may be true, but the practical side is also important. I can create a character with all the animations for our game in a day. It would seize weeks in 3D graphics,” explains Mikuláš. This efficiency allows for a content-rich game despite limited resources.

A Family Affair: The Strength of Collaboration

The brothers emphasize the importance of their collaborative relationship. “We trust each other. And as cliché as it sounds, that’s the main thing,” they state. This trust and shared vision have been instrumental in bringing Scribe RPG to life.

A demo for Scribe RPG is currently available on Steam, allowing players to experience the game firsthand as the developers continue to build upon its story and world.