WELLARD game developer Chris Hitchins has released a game, Starlost.
“As a gamer myself, I started off creating something I thought I would like to play,” he said.
“When I had something playable, I released it as an ‘alpha version’, which soon gained traction with around 200,000 downloads.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“A community around the game formed and that helped immensely with motivation to finish the game.”
Mr Hitchins said game development started as a hobby, which he turned into full-time work.
“I supplement my income with website development as well,” he said.
Starlost is the first title for Mr Hitchins and his business partner Kenneth Johnson, from Baldivis.
Their business is Hoodwinked Studios and they work from their home offices.
“We would love to set up a studio in WA to develop quality games,” Mr Hitchins said.
“Our first step though is funding which will hopefully flow from the release of Starlost.
“As long as there’s a viable future for game development in WA, we’ll be around.”
Starlost has now been released as a free to play game supported by in app purchases and ads.
Visit playstarlost.com/videos or search ‘starlost’ in the Google Play Store.
MORE: Kim Beazley to be sworn in as WA’s new Governor today
MORE: Cutie Hooties FIFO dolls providing comfort to kids whose parents work away
MORE: Perth Fringe World: event company JumpClimb to fold, owing artists $200k