Celebrating a Pioneer in Indie Gaming

Lucas Pope, the brilliant mind behind acclaimed titles like *Papers, Please* and *Return of the Obra Dinn*, has been honored with the Pioneer Award at this year's Game Developers Choice Awards. This recognition places him among the titans of the industry, sharing the spotlight with legends like Gabe Newell and Roberta Williams.

A Vision for Unique Games

In his acceptance speech, Pope didn’t just bask in the spotlight; he issued a challenge to his fellow developers: "Now that I'm officially a pioneer, I have some requests. World peace, obviously. But for this crowd, I'd love to see more unique, offbeat, experimental, and especially personal games that resonate with players like me."

Advice to Aspiring Developers

When asked for guidance to newcomers in game development, Pope was clear: "Make something personal, create something small, and consider releasing it on platforms like Itch.io. Identify your audience who shares your passions and craft the experiences you enjoy." His mantra emphasizes connection and authenticity over commercial pressures.

Creating Games for a Personal Touch

Pope’s journey began with a desire to craft games he would want to play himself. With *Papers, Please*, which challenges players as immigration inspectors in a fictional country, he stated, "I thought I was the only one who loved looking at documents. But it turns out, many people enjoy the same quirky concepts!" That realization sparked a confidence that fueled his next creative endeavor.

Innovating with *Return of the Obra Dinn*

Continuing on his path of unique game design, Pope developed *Return of the Obra Dinn*, where players step into the shoes of an insurance investigator unraveling mysterious deaths aboard a ghostly ship. His most recent project, *Mars After Midnight*, is a whimsical take on alien inspections at a fictional Martian support center.

A Family-Friendly Approach

Unlike his earlier titles, *Mars After Midnight* embraces a lighter, sillier tone—one even suited for children. One mission amusingly challenges players to admit only aliens that fart. "I wanted a game my kids could fully enjoy," said Pope, who acknowledged that while his children are familiar with his previous works, the M-rating keeps them at bay.

Inspiration from His Kids

Pope is thrilled to have his kids play *Mars*, offering ideas and feedback that he finds refreshingly unfiltered. "Kids don’t have the same preconceived notions, so even their wild suggestions can inspire very cool elements that can be incorporated into the game." Their fresh perspective allows him to see gameplay through a different lens, assisting in his creative process.

Looking Ahead: Returning to 2D

As he reflects on his past games, Pope considers a return to 2D graphics for future projects. He finds a unique charm in 2D design, leading to easier production and creative exploration. While specific details about upcoming titles remain under wraps, he assures fans that several ideas are brewing—stay tuned for what's next from this creative pioneer.