Adaptation
One especially challenging topic in Game Development is the adaptation of already established material. There are so many examples of poor movie adaptations in video games that they became a synonym for sub-par quality for most gamers. In a recent project at Cologne Game Lab, we tried to explore those challenges. We invited the experienced German game developer and writer Martin Ganteföhr to guide the project.
Martin suggested the use of a very interesting tool: Ren'Py. It is an open-source engine for interactive novels. It's surprisingly simply but offers an amazing level of customization due to it’s Python heritage. Ren'Py allowed our students to concentrate on the storytelling instead of the technical implementation.
The project was extremely difficult nonetheless. Each of the three teams chose a very different approach with it's own unique challenges. There were a lot of experiments, lengthy discussions but thankfully also profound insights. There are plans to do a public exhibition of the final games, so you will be able to see yourselves. Stay tuned!
KRYSTIAN MAJEWSKI
Krystian Majewski is an independent game developer and teacher in residence at the Cologne Game Lab. He was involved in the founding of the institute and has been Program Coordinator from 2009-2012. With his Adventure Game TRAUMA, that was reeased in 2011, Krystian Majewski has been internationally recognised and was a 2010 finalist at the Independent Games Festival, Indiecade and the European Innovative Games Awards. Krystian Majewski has a background in design with a diploma from Köln International School of Design.
Kontakt: km@colognegamelab.de
