Creative Designer Greg Kasavin Explains How Bastion Took Over The Gaming World

Thursday, 6th December 2012

Last year, a little indie game called Bastion took the world by storm when it charged out onto the Xbox Live Arcade and Steam, putting players in the boots of a hammer-wielding Kid as he fought his way through the ruins of Caelondia, his tale told by a mysterious narrator who seemed to know exactly where in the story you were as you played it.

Bastion earned massive critical praise, and was recently re-released on iOS with significant gameplay updates.

In celebration of the launch, we interviewed Supergiant Games’ Creative Director Greg Kasavin, who took the time to tell us a little about designing Bastion, and what it was like bringing the game to iOS.

JHS: Can you tell us a bit about your team and how you got started?

Greg: I’m with Supergiant Games, a small independent studio formed in 2009 by Amir Rao and Gavin Simon in the living room of a house in San Jose, California. I met Amir and Gavin while we were working at Electronic Arts, and one day soon after we’d all quit, they decided to drop everything and start making a game. Luckily for me, I was able to join them soon enough. We were inspired by what some other small developers had been able to accomplish, and eventually released our first game, Bastion.

The first version of Bastion launched in the summer of last year, and we’ve since released the game on a number of different platforms. We feel very fortunate by the warm reception it got, as it validated our approach to making games and means we have an opportunity to keep going and see what else we can do together.

JHS: Where did the idea for Bastion come from?

Greg: We develop our ideas collaboratively at Supergiant, and our ideas start out rather broad and vague. We try a lot of different things and throw a lot out, learning in the process and distilling down what’s left until it’s something we think is interesting. For example, Bastion came out of wanting to create an action RPG in which you build the world around you.

The original idea was just that simple. We love action RPGs like the Diablo series, so we thought, what if we could take the experience of returning to town in action RPGs and turn that into something even more interesting and gratifying? Everything came out of that central idea. We also wanted for the game to be more than just fun, to be able to leave a lasting positive impression on players. That’s part of the reason why the atmosphere and narrative ended up becoming important aspects of the game.

JHS: What’s it like to be a small studio raking in these big awards?

Greg: It’s pretty surreal. We had high hopes for the game as we were working on it, though we couldn’t have counted on it getting this type of response. I’m happy that we managed to make an impact with Bastion, and that we now have the challenge of following it up. As we were working on the game I think all seven of us on the team were acutely aware that Bastion might be the only chance we ever get to do something like this, so above all, I’m relieved that we didn’t squander that chance.

JHS: Your website says you want to make games that “get you excited, like games you played as a kid.” Can you elaborate on that?

Greg: All of us at Supergiant have been playing games since we were little kids, and we’ll sometimes reflect on how we felt playing our favorite classics for the first time. There was that sense of wonder and discovery, playing through those game you just knew you were going to love for years to come. It’s difficult for sequels and iterations on familiar ideas to create that sensation, because when an experience is very familiar then it doesn’t have that certain magic to it.

Likewise, those of us who’ve been playing games for a long time just have a broader experience and are less likely to have truly new experiences. And so, we hope to make the sorts of games that fell fresh, and don’t remind us of anything we’ve played before even if they build on ideas that have come before. Through this we hope to create that sense of wonder and discovery for the first time, bringing back those strong feelings you had playing your favorite games as a kid.

JHS: According to your bio page, a lot of your team seems to have a deeply rooted history in Command and Conquer—which is a radically different game than Bastion. How do you feel that game influenced your design?

Greg: Bastion is in some ways a response to making Command & Conquer games previously. We love Command & Conquer but real-time strategy games tend to be relatively complicated to pick up and start playing, and they can be very punishing. With Bastion, we wanted to make something that anyone could pick up and start playing. In terms of more-direct ways in which Command & Conquer influenced us, everything from Bastion’s isometric perspective to our approach to weapon balancing is based on things we loved about making strategy games.

JHS: You recently ported the game to iOS, and it’s actually got some major changes from the way it plays on the PC or Xbox. What inspired those changes, and how did you wind up making them?

Greg: We started thinking about bringing Bastion to the iOS partly because it presented a very interesting design challenge. Initially we weren’t sure if we could successfully translate the core experience to a touch device, so we wanted to try and find out. We figured we’d need to make some dramatic changes in order to do it. We were willing to make those changes, knowing that the sum-total experience of Bastion was far more important than the specific mechanical details. In fact, all the little mechanics we created for the game were custom-tailored for each platform and interface, so we realized we just had to re-approach some of these things on iOS. The result is a version of Bastion that’s even easier to pick up and play than any of the others, though we feel the depth and richness is all there, and are very happy with the response this version ended up getting. It took quite a while and a lot of playtesting but it was worth it.

JHS: Bastion’s Music is one of the many incredible and integral parts of the game experience—can you tell us a bit about the process of making it flow into the game, and not just be background noise?

Greg: We owe Bastion’s music to Darren Korb, our audio director and composer. He got involved in the project very early, when there was nothing at all to look at and just some broad ideas about the kind of tone we were interested in. He was able to run with those ideas and start producing music that just felt right. Often we had music before any other kind of assets, so the music fueled our own imaginations about what kind of place the world of the game could be. Working closely with Darren also meant we could integrate the music into gameplay in a more meaningful way, specifically through our use of songs in several key moments. Darren’s background as a songwriter and our interest in world-building made us think maybe we could put a few lyrical pieces to good use, and those turned out to be some of the strongest moments in the game.

JHS: You guys have a really passionate fanbase, who’ve done everything from Cosplay to rebuilding the Bastion in Minecraft, and are interacting with them all the time online. What’s it like to have with that kind of community?

Greg: We’re just very grateful to have created something that can be inspiring in some way, since there are so many games that inspire us in turn. We love corresponding with our players whether by email or Twitter or what-have-you, or in person at events like PAX, and through those interactions we’re constantly reminded of why we’re doing any of this. It really helps us keep doing our best, knowing that those people now have high expectations for us. We’ll do everything we can to keep making games that are worth their while.

JHS: What’s next for you guys?

Greg: We’ve been keeping busy, though it’s too early to say what’s next for us just yet. We’re sticking together as a team, staying nice and small, and applying everything we’ve learned thus far to figuring out how to keep making things worth a damn. We’re pretty active on Twitter so you can always keep an eye on @SupergiantGames if you want to know the latest from us, or just drop us a line from time to time.

Post written by

R Bryant Francis – who has written 265 posts on The Jace Hall Show.
R. Bryant Francis is a former contributing writer to the Jace Hall Show who specializes in gaming, pop culture, and all-around geekiness. Outside of the show, Bryant pursues a career in Hollywood as a producer and filmmaker.

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Thursday, 6th December 2012
Posted in Gaming Personality
Tags: Bastion, greg kasavin, making, supergiant games, time
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Jace Hall Show Music Videos

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“Arcade In a Box with UFC Fighter Cung Le”

Jace gets a close up look at the exclusive Jace Hall Show joystick being made for him at manufacturer Arcade in a Box. Jace then goes on to make the horrific mistake of offending UFC fighters Cung Le and Josh Thomson, the latter of which puts Jace an a choke-hold.

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“House of The Dead and Keke Palmer”

Hall plays House of the Dead with Keke Palmer who decides to take it to the paintball range when her and Corey the intern can’t settle their differences in the video game world. Corey continues to lose it when Todd and Jace can’t assist him with an audition.

“PG Porn’s James Gunn and Ian Somerhalder”

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“Katee Sackoff & Dante’s Inferno”

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“Visiting Amanda Tapping and Zach Levi Meets The Terminators”

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“Ben Heck, the Mod and Gaget God”

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“Visiting Olivia Munn”

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“Arkham City Batman Peak and Reviewing The Streamy Awards”

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“Checking in…With Morris Chestnut”

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“Star Trek Forever”

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“(No?) Duke Nukem Forever?”

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“Meet the computer animated Star of CHADAM and Olivia Munn shows off”

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The Jace Hall Show Season 3

“Felicia Day Puts Up a Fight, Creed Vs. Drago Round 1″

Jace and Todd discus a replacement assistant, as The Smoking Jacket Guy also grows perturbed. And for the first time in “boxing history” Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) and Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) are back for a rematch. Plus, Felicia Day makes an appearance as things get testy.

“Hot Intern Interviews, Diablo and Felcia Day’s Light saber battle”

Carl Weathers and Dolph Lundgren decide Jace’s office is the perfect place for a Rocky rematch, as they settle their dispute via Wii Boxing, once and for all. Felicia Day stumbles upon arch nemesis Jace at the local Cyber Café and we get exclusive to a design meeting for Diablo III at Blizzard.

“Excelsior and Felicia Day Robs Baby Jesus”

The Smoking Jacket guy a.k.a. Gary Graham slips further into absolute hell, as his personal videos get even more personal. Meanwhile, The Guild creator, Felicia Day continues the battle over the Baby Jesus Doll with Jace in one of the most famous duels in Jace Hall Show history.

“Jane Badler’s (Special) Snack Time and Stan Lee Sounds Off”

Jane Badler from the Original “V” series wants to talk to Jace, Executive Producer on the new “V” on ABC, about being on the show. Badler re-enacts one of the show’s most famous scenes without special effects to prove why she is the original V Queen. Don’t eat before watching this.

“Too Hot For Words and Special Odditions”

Gary Graham’s unreleased song about the Jace Hall Show is revealed to the world while Marina Orlova from Hot For Words deals with Gary’s old smoking Jacket. Meanwhile, Jace and Todd continue auditioning hot girls for their new assistant role – someone has to do it.

“Joe Flanigan, Laura Vandervoort and a Family Guy”

Jace and Todd run into an old friend in Stargate’s Joe Flanigan, who is still wearing Jace’s priceless original “V” costume while he’s getting coffee in Burbank. Jace once again goes inside an actual design meeting at Blizzard Entertainment, one of the biggest gaming companies in the world.

“Laura Vandervoort Does Pranks, Bob Sapp Goes Postal and Starcraft II”

Actress Laura Vandervoort goes inside Jace’s recording studio to mess with her “V” co-star Logan Huffman. The tables are turned on Jace, when professional fighter Bob Sapp threatens to go postal on Jace for not “supporting” one of his main ideas.

“World of Warcraft and Sex, Money, Guns with Ice-T and Coco”

Logan Huffman wants to know who is posting comments about him online and asks Jace for help. Meanwhile Joe Flanigan is caught again flirting in the V costume. Jace heads to the set of Law and Order: SVU to catch up with Ice – T and Coco and the Starcraft II team gets “rushed” by World of Warcraft Lead Designer, Jeff Kaplan.

“Logan Huffman Gets Hot and Coco is Even Hotter”

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“J!NX, You Owe Me an ICE-T”

Jace visits Sean Gailey at J!NX, the exclusive clothing partner of the Jace Hall Show, to check out the operations and find out where his royalty check is. Then go back to visit ICE-T, where they flip through some of his wife Coco’s most vivid bikini shots.

“College Humor Laughs It Up and Hot Girl Auditions”

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“Unreal Engine Faces Off With Digital Extremes”

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“Randy Jackson’s Dance Crew”

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“Dawg: Randy Jackson Goes Off and More Hotness For Words”

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Jace tries to convince Todd that he actually handled the noise problem with Randy Jackson well, which new assistant Ashley seems to confirm for the time being. Meanwhile, Jace and Todd return to the office, where something horrible has gone wrong.

Outtakes: Gary Graham Goes Off!

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Outtakes “Creed vs Drago”

In what has to be the most anticipated staged rematch of the past century, Carl Weathers and Dolph Lundgren prepare for their epic rematch, in front of a live-studio audience at HDFILMS. This is the lead-up to proceeding episodes featuring the two film stars.

Outtakes: The College Humor Buzzkill

Everyone is a critic…even the writers at College Humor, who give Jace a hard time about The Jace Hall Show in this short, outtakes clip. Is the Jace Hall Show funny? Don’t ask these guys, they’ll give an answer that’s less than favorable.

The Jace Hall Show Season 4

“Stan Lee Forever & The Old Spice Guy”

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“Fallout: New Vegas, Audrina Patridge and more with Stan Lee!”

Jace scores an exclusive look at Fallout New Vegas with the designers themselves, and learns one of his arch nemesis is in the game. Jace’s visit with Stan Lee continues to take a turn for the worse, and pop celebrity Audrina Partridge stops by the office…and steps on a few feet.

“The Fallout and RAGE of Audrina Patridge and Felicia Day. UFC Star Cung Le”

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“Dead Rising and Scrubbin’ It with Donald Faison & Stan Lee”

EA Sports MMA Star Cung Le decides to show Jace his moves in Cung’s Dojo since they don’t have a copy of the game, naturally Director Todd takes the worst of it. Tensions flare up between Jace and Stan Lee as the worst thing imaginable finally blows up before them.

“The Kaboom Challenge! Clone Wars Struts It Stuff”

Team Unicorn’s very own hottie Milynn Sarley challenges Jace to a game of Kaboom, while he and MMA fighter Cung Le ride on horses into the sunset. Also, The Jace Hall Show is given secret access at Sony Online Entertainment to get a peak at Star Wars Clone Wars.

“Clone Wars and The Original Batmobile!”

Jace visits some of the top game reviewers at IGN, and finds out the hard way how they review some of the industry’s most popular video games. Jace is treated to a surprise when his car alarm goes off…apparently there is someone else in the neighborhood with a cooler car.

“Hot Video Game Girls and Being a TV Star”

Jace takes a break from hosting and gets the chance to be interviewed on NGAME.TV – where things quickly take a sour turn for the worst. And are video games too violent? Jace talks the politics of video games with Ted Price, the CEO of insomniac games.

“Marvel vs Capcom, Logan Huffman and Talking Tomb Raider”

Jace gets invited to the “Lost Planet 2″ party and runs into “V” Star, Logan Huffman who is still upset that Jace hasn’t gotten a video of him pulled from Youtube.com yet. Jace then goes to Crystal Dynamics to talk Tomb Raider with brand director Carl Steward.

“The Stars of ‘V’ and President Barack Obama”

Jace manages to piss off two of the most important people in the country, Barack Obama and Jessica Chobot. The former is upset at Jace’s TV show, while Chobot doesn’t appreciate Jace crashing his set. Plus, Jace sits down and talks V with the legendary actress Jane Badler.

“Exclusive Bioware Access and More ‘V’ Stars”

Jace Hall visits BioWare to check out Star Wars: the Old Republic and sees a secret Tomb Raider project. Tempers finally flare on set of Jace’s interview with NGAME TV, not before Jace has a sit down and talks with cast members of ABC’s “V.”

“Star Wars Exclusives and A Stargate Set Visit”

Jace catches up with Stargate Executive Producer, Brad Wright on location in Vancouver to get even more insider info on what has kept the Stargate franchise popular with the fans and networks for so many amazing years. Also, more Star Wars: Old Republic exclusives pop up at Bioware.

“The Stargate Universe and Being Jane Badler”

The “EPIC” Cliffy B. himself has taken up the KABOOM! open challenge on the office Atari to test if he really did put the FUN in fundamentals. Plus, Jace relives one of his lifetime dreams of doing the happy dance on the set of Stargate…much to producer Brad Wright’s dismay.

“Sony Fan Faire and The Impulsive Froglok”

Jace witnesses nerd mating rituals at Sony Online Entertainments fanfare and visits the DC Universe Online studios, where he is met with quite a challenge. Jace also has another intimate chat with President Obama, as the latter continues to express his dismay.

“Watching A Froglok Gets Married and Looking at DC Universe Online”

Jace has decided to take advantage of his co-hosting duties at the Sony Online Entertainment Fan Faire celebration, by showing his new music video to the thousands of EverQuest players in attendance, much to the dismay of the crowd. That didn’t stop one enthusiastic guest from doing something radical.

“Friction with Donald Faison and All The RAGE (Footage)”

Jace finally meets his match, getting destroyed in a game of DC Universe Online. That doesn’t stop him from rocking Vegas with Randy Pitchford from Gearbox, and venturing to Gaikai, where he learns about cloud gaming with company President Dave Perry.

“Duke Nukem Forever…No, Really”

Donald Faison and Jace discuss the best biblical ally to have in a fight, while Donald tries to pitch his newest show idea, he only needs a few bucks. Jace then goes to Vegas to talk Doom, Quake and some of the greatest first person shooters of all time with the guys at id Software.

“Sandeep Shows off and a First Look: RAGE Exclusive”

The team at id Software reveals Exclusive RAGE footage, direct gameplay that only The Jace Hall Show can bring! Plus, Jace puts Sandeep Parikh, one of the stars of The Guild on the spot about his series, and just what exactly he and Todd Roy are trying to pull behind his back.

“Pwning Blimpz; Kelly Hu Is Not a Gamer”

The Jace Hall Show debuts more Exclusive RAGE footage with the id Software team, but Jace isn’t satisfied with just “looking”, he wants to play and has decided to pull a runner! Then Jace and Todd decided to pwn the Goodyear blimp, getting a limited access view of Los Angeles from up above.

“Finale Part 1 of 2 – On a Cliff With Gears of War’s Cliffy B’”

The Season Finale is so 1337 it just couldn’t fit into a single episode. In part 1, we take a special trip to the home of Gears of War and Cliffy B himself in North Carolina, EPIC GAMES where Jace is looking to cash in on the “favor for a favor” that Cliffy promised him.

“Finale Part 2 of 2 – A Talking Fallout Toaster and Mortal Kombat Epicness’”

The Jace Hall Show closes it’s 4th season with an Epic sized finale (is there any other way?) Showcased is Exclusive footage from the new Mortal Kombat game in all of its gory goodness, as well as perfectly inappropriate Duke Nukem: Forever footage in all of its “Glory”.

The Jace Hall Show Season 5

“A Milli Vanilli Reunion, Diablo 3 and Napoleon Dynamite”

The Season 5 debut features Jon Heder a.k.a. Napoleon Dynamite losing a video game battle to Jace, forcing Jace to debut his “Blame It On The Game” music video (starring Fab Morvan and John Davis) that made history. Plus, we sneak into Blizzard headquarters for Diablo 3 EXCLUSIVES.

“Felicia Day Returns & I Play WoW Redux”

Geek Goddess Felicia Day stops by to settle an old score and try to steal something back from Todd and Jace – somehow her underwear drawer gets in the way. Plus, the I Play WoW video that grossed over 13 million views is back in the new I Play WoW redux ENTIRELY using machinima.

“Diablo 3 Voiceover, Felicia Day’s Pissed, and the ATARI Car”

The fight with Felicia Day continues, as Jace gets the opportunity of a lifetime to record an ACTUAL character in Diablo 3 – it didn’t go as well as everyone had planned. Plus, Jace receives an ATARI automobile that you have to see to believe (something Todd can barely put up with).

“An Exclusive Look at PlanetSide 2 and Tay Zonday”

Jace continues to struggle in his Diablo 3 voice session, causing lead designer Jay Wilson to ask for more BLOOD. The SOE team behind PlanetSide 2 offers Director Todd Roy the chance of a lifetime. Jace’s Kaboom skills are put to the test against a team of ambitious gamers.

“Stan Lee Shreds Comics and Vernon Davis Wants the T-Rex”

49ers Tight End Vernon Davis visits the office to buy Jace’s T-Rex, offering a huge price! Matt Higby show Jace more from PlanetSide 2, while YTCracker and MC Lars try to get Jace to show some nerdcore skills by rapping live as Jace debuts his latest music video, “My Game Ain’t Done”.

“Vernon Davis’ Million Dollar Offer & PlanetSide 2 Exclusives”

Comic book legend Stan Lee returns and promptly destroys his ACTION COMICS #1. Meanwhile, Vernon Davis offers a HUGE offer for Jace’s T-Rex, only to have everything fall through in the end. Plus, Jace continues putting up ridiculous scores, pwning little kids in Kaboom.

“PlanetSide 2 Trailer, Jace’s Builds An Epic Arcade”

Jace begins building what is undoubtedly the greatest ARCADE Machine in the history of space and time, while the much balleyhooed PlanetSide 2 trailer Todd was hired to direct debuts…to much jaw dropping. Plus, the fight continues as Thousand Pound fighter Amy Johnson kicks ass.

“Boris Kodjoe, Hot Karate Woman, and The Ultimate Arcade Machine”

The Ultimate Arcade Machine is finally revealed, with pretty much every video game ever made! Get a look at Jace’s new toy and its insane features! Plus, Todd auditions a film and TV star to take Jace’s place as host of The Jace Hall Show, without Jace even knowing it.

“Defiance Gameplay Footage and Rick Fox vs Jace Hall”

Exclusive gameplay and all access behind the scenes look into Defiance, one of this year’s most anticipated shooters. NBA champion and celebrity actor Rick Fox makes his move to replace Jace as host, while Producer Todd makes moves on Rick’s hot sister.

“Rick Fox Takes Over SimCity! Gears of War Designer Married”

Actor and NBA champion Rick Fox scores an exclusive look at the top secret Sims City game at EA. Jace then crashes Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski’s celebrity packed wedding – the only problem is that none of Alison Haislip, Isaiah Mustafa or Randy Pitchford will let him in.

“Exclusive SimCity Preview, Jamie Lee Curtis Shows Off”

Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest are caught committing a MAJOR gamercode violation, while NBA star Rick Fox previews a never before seen SimCity demo. Plus, if you thought the annoying orange was annoying, wait until you see what Apple’s biggest competitor has cooked up.

“Atari vs. Intellivision AND Jace Hall vs. Eliza Dushku!”

ATARI founder Nolan Bushnell faces off against INTELLIVISION’s Keith Robinson in the final battle of which gaming platform is better. Then actress Eliza Dushku confronts Jace, proving why he shouldn’t question a girl’s game cred, in one of the most epic rap music videos ever.

“Kevin Pereira Flips Out and Debbie Gibson Reloads Electric Youth”

The Jace Hall Show gets an exclusive look at the hidden scandal behind why Kevin Pereira left Attack of the Show. Meanwhile, Debbie Gibson and Jace fight over Afterglow Headphones then think about making a music video together. Has Electric Youth been reloaded?