We’re less than two weeks away from the 9th Annual No Quarter Exhibition, so we wanted to take some time to introduce you to the 2018 artists and games! Each of the four 2018 designers spoke with curator Robert Yang on their game, design process, and New York City! Next up is Ivan Safrin!
R.N.D. by Ivan Safrin
Ivan Safrin is an interactive artist, programmer and game designer. He likes making games and experiences that bring people together in physical spaces and writing game engines and tools. He leads the Polycode game development framework and teaches game design and programming at NYU Tandon.
Robert Yang: What are you making for No Quarter?
Ivan Safrin: I am making an 8-player local multiplayer game where two opposing teams build a level in which they play a game of capture the flag. Each team tries to make their side of the level easy enough for themselves to navigate, but difficult enough to keep the opposing team away from their flag.
Tell us about your design process.
Originally I wanted to make a game where players built the game together out of different game mechanics, but over the course of playtesting the initial version I ended up focusing more and more on the platformer parts and the challenges that came from a game where the level is designed as it is being played.
Do you have any favorite No Quarter games from the past?
Some of my favorite No Quarter games from previous years are Loren Schmidt’s Beads of Orange Glass, Stephen Lawrence Clark’s Witchball and Bennet Foddy’s Speed Chess.
Any favorite places to see in New York City?
I have never been to the Statue Of Liberty despite living in New York City for over 20 years. I imagine it’s kind of like Times Square but on an island. I’m not sure how much I actually want to go there, but maybe I should see it once.
I’ve never actually been to the Statue of Liberty either. Me and my mom took the ferry out there, but then we both took one look and decided to go eat dinner instead… Thanks for talking to us, Ivan!
No Quarter is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to guarantee your entry!