The Journey Behind The Void Project

In the ever-evolving world of indie game development, some stories stand out for their resilience, creativity, and passion. One such story is that of Rayyan Aziz, Team Lead at Silver Demon Studios. Hailing from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Rayyan and his team of five friends turned their shared love for gaming into a reality with The Void Project, a fast-paced FPS arena shooter inspired by classics like Devil Daggers, Ultra Kill and Quake.?

Let's have a look at the game trailer:

The Beginning: A Passion for Games

Rayyan started his career as a frontend web developer but gradually transitioned into game development.

“I began creating small games without much knowledge,” he recalls.

His interest grew as he delved into YouTube devlogs and gaming communities. With his friend Adil and a growing team, the dream of developing a commercial game took shape.

The idea for The Void Project evolved from an abandoned stealth game created during a game jam. Rayyan Aziz explains, “We decided to pivot to a smaller, more focused arena shooter.” Starting in Unity, the team later shifted to Godot due to technical challenges, initially familiarizing themselves with the engine by creating 2D games.

Although the project was intended to be completed in four months, the scope expanded, and the release took a year, from September 2023 to October 2024. “Learning Godot was new, but it allowed us to create something unique,” Rayyan shares.

Overcoming Challenges

Like any indie project, this game faced its fair share of hurdles. AI design was particularly taxing, taking months to perfect. Another significant challenge came from compatibility issues with NVIDIA GPUs, which required a complete rebuild of the game. “The week before launch was intense,” Rayyan recalls, as the team worked tirelessly to fix bugs and conduct QA testing.

Refining the Vision

The game’s development saw several iterations based on player feedback. Initial ideas, like power-ups and jump boosts, were scrapped in favor of honing core mechanics. “Our vision was always to keep it simple and fun,” says Rayyan. Drawing inspiration from early 2000s visuals, the team crafted an aesthetic that felt nostalgic yet modern.

Feedback during development proved invaluable. From gameplay tweaks to addressing hardware issues, every critique shaped the final product. The unexpected comments—like players experiencing glitches on high-end GPUs—only added to the learning curve.

Reflecting on the journey, Rayyan acknowledges the importance of pacing and planning. “For my next project, I’ll spend more time planning before jumping into development,” he says.

What’s Next for Silver Demon Studios?

With The Void Project launched, Rayyan and his team are already setting their sights on new challenges. Armed with lessons in marketing, development, and platform optimization, they’re eager to create games that resonate with players. As Rayyan puts it, “I hope The Void Project inspires players to push their skills and climb the leaderboard.”

The Void Project is a testament to the power of determination and teamwork in the indie game industry. From humble beginnings to overcoming technical and creative challenges, Rayyan Aziz and Silver Demon Studios have proven that passion can lead to incredible achievements. As they gear up for their next adventure, one thing is certain: this is just the beginning for the team from Rawalpindi.

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Play the The Void Project now: