Insights Into Game Development With Matt Raithel

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Mix And Matchbox Podcast – Episode 2

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It All Started With a Bulletin Board

Matt’s path into the gaming industry began with a serendipitous encounter on a college bulletin board. “I went to school for computer animation down in Springfield, Missouri, and I always wanted to get into video game development, but there weren’t any real programs in Missouri, not very many in the Midwest that could give me a path into the industry,” Matt recalls. “I attempted computer science for about a semester, and I realized very quickly that complicated math was not for me, but I’ve always been an artist.”

It was while working late in the animation lab that Matt spotted a flyer on the bulletin board, seeking animators to join a video game development company in Springfield. Despite his initial skepticism about the prospects of game development in his small hometown, Matt decided to take a chance and reach out. “This voice went off in my head, and I said, ‘What have I got to lose? Let’s try it,’” he explains.

That decision proved to be a pivotal moment in Matt’s career. He landed the position and began his journey as a 3D modeler, creating props and assets for tycoon-style PC games. “That was my first job in the industry, and I started in 2004,” Matt says. “I was trained in a software called Lightwave (now LightWave 3d), but the studio had picked up Maya, so I had to learn Maya in the span of a week to get up to speed.”

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Game Development

As Matt’s career progressed, he witnessed firsthand the rapid changes and advancements in game development technology. “We used Maya for about six months before some of our contracts and partnerships demanded 3D Studio Max, which is now all owned by Autodesk,” he explains. “Essentially, 3D Studio Max is the go-to for us these days.”

Beyond the technical tools, Matt has also observed the evolution of the gaming industry as a whole. “Even here in St. Louis, we have game development programs that are growing, and I’m personally connected with a school called Maryville University, where I’ve helped them grow a game design concentration,” he says. “Present-day, there are traditional paths of going through four-year education to get a degree in one of the many fields that contribute to games, whether it’s art, programming, writing, or production.”

However, Matt also emphasizes the value of hands-on experimentation and self-learning. “What I always advise anybody that’s interested is to play games, study what you like, and then go out and just start making something yourself,” he says. “Tools like Unity 3D, Unreal, and Game Maker are free to download, and there’s a wealth of information online, with videos and tutorials to help you experiment and see how your ideas can come to life.”

Lessons Learned in Client Relationships

Over the years, Matt and his team at Graphite Labs have developed a deep understanding of client relationships and project management. “One thing we’ve learned is to not think of the first project as the finish line,” Matt explains. “We changed our philosophy to look at the third project as the finish line, because that’s where we can build our internal efficiencies and truly benefit from the relationship, both in terms of quality and profitability.”

Pro Tips from Matt

• Approach every potential client relationship as a three-project deal, not a one-off project.
• Use the first project as a starting point to understand the client’s needs and quirks, then leverage that knowledge to improve efficiency and profitability on subsequent projects.
• Prioritize building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with clients, rather than focusing solely on the initial project.

This shift in mindset has had a significant impact on Graphite Labs’ approach to billing and fee structures. “We used to do the traditional ‘build out a scope, figure out the features, take a wild guess at how long it’s going to take, and then give a big price tag,’” Matt says. “Nowadays, we release the first version of a game as a prototype or vertical slice, and then we do follow-up support and updates, which can often be a bigger budget than the initial development.”

By breaking down the project into milestones and taking a more iterative approach, Graphite Labs has been able to better manage risks, optimize their processes, and ensure long-term profitability for both the studio and their clients.

Bringing Original Ideas to Life

While Graphite Labs has built a reputation for its work-for-hire projects with major brands, the studio has also been actively developing its own original game concepts. “This morning, our next original property was announced via IGN that Atari has agreed to publish,” Matt reveals. “It’s called Kombinera, and it’s an original title crafted right here in St. Louis by Graphite Lab and our partners, Joystick Games.”

This partnership with Atari represents a significant milestone for the studio. “In all of our experience, while we have released some of our own original games in years past, we’ve never had the support, attention, or commitment from a publisher like Atari has shown here,” Matt says. “For a budding entrepreneur and game developer, to have someone from the outside invest in game development right here in St. Louis is very fulfilling.”

The journey to this point, however, has not been without its challenges. “We’re proactive in reaching out to these organizations, saying, ‘Here’s what we’d like to do with this property, or here’s an idea we have. Are you interested?’” Matt explains. “You can’t just sit back and wait for them to find you. It’s an ongoing obligation on our part to make sure we’re pushing those opportunities forward.”

For Graphite Labs, the Kombinera project was a concept that the studio took under its wing and actively pitched to potential partners. “We said, ‘Hey, Graphite kind of took this concept under its wing, and we think this really has a shot at being published,’” Matt recounts. “We went to Atari and said, ‘You’ve got to look at this thing. We think it has a lot of Atari dna in it, it’s very arcade-like, it’s got this kind of minimalist aesthetic. What do you think?’”

This proactive approach, combined with the team’s proven track record and creative vision, ultimately led to the Atari partnership and the upcoming release of Kombinera.

Embracing the Future of Gaming

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Matt is excited about the potential of emerging technologies and input methods. “If all we do is just kind of make new controllers, like a new DualShock 12 or whatever, it’s not really going to change how gamers think about the games,” he says. “It’s just going to be more buttons and controllers. If we want an evolution, I think the inputs have to change.”

This is where Matt sees the potential of virtual reality (VR) and platforms like Oculus. “What makes Oculus interesting is that they had a pretty massive holiday season, and that might mean that the Oculus store, the Oculus attention, and the gamers on Oculus will grow over this year,” he explains. “Putting on the headset and using their controllers is a different way to play, and it feels different than buttons and joysticks. That’s got me pretty excited.”

Beyond VR, Matt is also keeping a close eye on the developments in blockchain gaming. “I think it might add to the industry, but I don’t think it’s going to completely consume or radicalize how we play games,” he says. “It’ll add to it for sure, but it takes time for these things to really reach through and become the new normal.”

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Matt and the team at Graphite Labs remain committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, exploring new technologies, and delivering engaging gaming experiences that push the boundaries of what’s possible.