Transylvania-based game developer Ovidiu Tepes latest release, Cessabit was one of the Top 100 Paid Games in not only the US but in 19 other countries around the world as well. But here’s the interesting thing, his game development journey and success all started just a few years ago when he did a Google search with the phrase, ‘make games without coding’ and discovered Buildbox.
He became an avid Boxer (Buildbox user) and part of our BB community creating stunning games, sharing tips, and even resources with others. Learning became a passion for him. Ovidiu participated in our Buildbox Game Jam also, winning third place for his entry Starcase. Apple even featured his previous games Hyper Fruits, Pocket Coin Stack, and Flip or Drink.
However, it was just the beginning to his success. It only took Ovidiu Tepes a little under a month to create Cessabit using Buildbox. This unique puzzle memory game has been skyrocketing up the charts worldwide since it’s release.
We were honored to have the opportunity to chat with Ovidiu Tepes about his game dev journey, approach to designing and marketing games, and recent success with Cessabit.
Buildbox.com: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started as an indie games developer?
Ovidiu Tepes: I started making games in 2017 with no previous knowledge in graphic design or anything related to game development. The more I worked on new games, the more I started to like being an indie developer, so I quickly decided to go full time into making games!
Buildbox.com: All of your games are so unique with stunning graphics. How do you come up with new game ideas?
Ovidiu Tepes: Thanks. There are so many ways to come up with new game ideas, but my favorite way is to browse Dribbble and Behance for inspiration. For example, I view one illustration and think of all the possible games that could be made. I repeat this until a great game idea strikes!
Buildbox.com: How has using Buildbox helped you with your game development process?
Ovidiu Tepes: Not having to write code, the very intuitive user interface and the insane development speed make Buildbox my favorite engine. With Buildbox, the process of game development is so fast and enjoyable.
Buildbox.com: What were your inspirations behind Cessabit: A Stress Relief Game and how long did it take you to make it using Buildbox software?
Ovidiu Tepes: I wanted to create something unique and relaxing at the same time. The world seems more stressed and anxious than ever, so I thought, why not create a memory game that helps people relax? It took me around one month to bring Cessabit to life.
Buildbox.com: Cessabit has been crushing it in the App Store. It was ranked #2 in Trivia and #10 in Puzzle category and Top 100 in All Paid Games in multiple countries across the globe. What was your marketing strategy to achieve such success? Any essential tips?
Ovidiu Tepes: I started promoting Cessabit very early. The first thing I made was the landing page with an email capture form, and then I started working on the game. I was lucky enough to get featured by Apple in the “new games we love” section, that’s what skyrocketed my game to the top charts. My marketing strategy was this: Make the game so good that Apple will love it and feature it.
Buildbox.com: Crevasse Studios offers a lot more than just games. You also feature exclusive Buildbox templates, game art, weekly game dev loot boxes, a color palette picker, and tutorials. What led you to create and start sharing so many cool game resources with others?
Ovidiu Tepes: A lot of time I got stuck, and I sought help from the amazing community, so I decided to give back by creating resources for indie developers, some available for free, some paid. Besides that, it helped me get more exposure and expand my knowledge about game development and design.
Buildbox.com: As an experienced artist and graphic designer, do you have any game design tips for making an attractive game that is ideal for beginners or someone who might not be as skilled in graphic design yet?
Ovidiu Tepes: Yes! Keep your design simple, clean, and consistent throughout the entire game. Use basic shapes. Find a beautiful color palette and stick to it. Search Dribbble and Behance for inspiration. Consistency is the key.
Buildbox.com: What’s one piece of advice that you think every game dev should follow to succeed in the app business?
Ovidiu Tepes: Do not give up; keep learning, and keep making games. The more effort you put into this, the better you’ll be. The game industry is already oversaturated, so make sure your product is unique, and it will stand out. There’s no shortcut or overnight success.
Ovidiu Tepes working on his upcoming game, Vestigium.
Buildbox.com: Any upcoming games to be on the lookout for? What next for Crevasse Studios?
Oh yes! I am already working on a new game called Vestigium and also on a new product that will help us, indie developers, get more exposure for our games!
Buildbox.com: Wow, love the art style on Vestigium, so far. We can’t wait to check it out and your new product when it’s released too. Thanks so much for chatting with us.
To learn more about Ovidiu Tepes, Cessabit, and his upcoming games you can visit his website Crevasse Studios.
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