Behind the Scenes:Meet Client Developer, Martín Pane

With Fableborne, we challenge mainstream esports and web3 gaming alike. To achieve our bold vision of accessible competitive experiences on mobile devices, having the best industry talent is paramount. Take a gander ‘Behind the Scenes’ and meet the team who is innovating the industry, here at Pixion Games.

Welcome to the fourth ‘Behind the Scenes’ interview with Martín Pane, who is currently working as a Game Developer for Fableborne at Pixion Games. Martín initially considered a career in Aerospace Engineering, but his passion for technology and video games led him down a different path. With roots in Argentina and professional experience in both Spain and the UK, Martín brings a unique international perspective to the team at Pixion Games.

Hey Martín, thank you for joining us today! Could you share your journey into the gaming industry, and what led you to join Pixion Games?

Certainly! I’ve always had a passion for video games and technology and was lucky enough that when I finished school you could actually study a degree that would help you get into the industry. I focused on programming and team leadership. After completing my degree, I worked for several small game development studios in Spain and the UK, where I gained valuable experience working on various projects on all sorts of platforms.

Eventually, I was drawn to Pixion Games because I was impressed by their commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment, which I believe is essential for creating successful games. I’m thrilled to be a part of the team at Pixion Games and to have the opportunity to work on exciting new projects with such talented and dedicated individuals.

Can you tell us more about your role at Pixion Games and your involvement in the development of Fableborne? What does a Client Developer do?

As a Client Developer at Pixion Games, my main responsibility is to develop and maintain the client-side code of our games. This includes implementing gameplay mechanics, optimizing performance, and ensuring that the game runs smoothly on different platforms. I work closely with designers, artists, and other developers to create engaging and immersive gameplay experiences. I’m involved in all aspects of the development process, from prototyping and testing to final implementation and release.

What are some key lessons you’ve learned while working in the gaming industry, and how have they influenced your approach to game development?

One of the key lessons I’ve learned while working in the gaming industry is the importance of collaboration and communication. Game Development is a complex and multifaceted process that requires input from many different disciplines, from Artists and Designers to Programmers and Producers. Effective communication and collaboration are essential for ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals, while keeping motivation high.

Other important lessons I’ve learned are the importance of iteration and testing, as well as flexibility and adaptability. Technology and player preferences are constantly evolving, so we need to be able to adapt to these changes in order to stay relevant and competitive.

Now, let’s get technical! As a Game Developer, could you explain some of the unique challenges and opportunities that Unity brings to game development?

Tying yourself to an engine has some limitations because there are core systems you won’t be able to change, sometimes engine features never end up being polished enough for production. Still, it brings a plethora of benefits that usually outweigh the cons. Some of those are:

1. Cross-platform development
2. Robust asset pipeline
3. C# as its primary scripting language, a powerful and well-supported framework
4. Third-party tools and an incredible and growing community

You have been working on Fableborne since its inception. What are some of the most memorable moments so far, and what did you learn from them?

The initial concept phase was probably one of the most fun. It was exciting to see the game quickly take shape and to work with the team to develop the core mechanics and gameplay features. We learned a lot of what works and doesn’t that you see in the current version of the game.

Another moment that comes to mind was managing to release the Pre-Alpha version of the game with a fully remote team. It wasn’t easy, but everyone managed to keep morale and the excitement high. Being fully remote has its clear benefits, but I learned a lot about managing communication and expectations and how over-communication is key to keep things running smoothly.

Now, let’s talk about Blockchain. Web3 gaming is relatively new, and the status quo is constantly changing. How do you see the current Blockchain trends, and how do they impact your work?

Like any new emerging technologies, Blockchain and web3 are still a big unknown on how they will define the space, but there is no question that they’re here to stay. NFTs in particular seem to be a very good use case for games to expand on what mainstream gaming has built and create bigger and more interconnected experiences while giving more control to the players.

We are constantly exploring new ways to integrate Blockchain technology into our games and leverage its potential to create unique and engaging experiences. However, there are also challenges to consider, such as the complexity of integrating Blockchain technology into game development workflows and the need for education and awareness-building around these new technologies.

How do you keep up with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry? What resources would you recommend to aspiring Game Developers?

Here are some ways I keep myself informed and some resources that I would recommend to aspiring game developers:

1. Attend conferences and events: I don’t do this as often nowadays, but when I was starting, it was an excellent way to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry, as well as networking with other industry professionals and putting yourself out there.
2. Participate in online communities: There are many online communities and forums where game developers gather to share knowledge, ask questions, and discuss the latest developments in the industry. Game Jams are excellent for this as well.
3. Follow industry experts on social media: platforms like Twitter can be a great way to stay informed about the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry. Many game developers, designers, and industry insiders regularly share their thoughts and insights on social media, providing a valuable source of information and inspiration.

I would encourage creating and sharing their own games, as this is one of the best ways to gain practical experience and build a portfolio of work.

You mentioned that you enjoy playing video games. Readers may not know, but you host a weekly internal event for Pixion Games team members to play games together. Why did you decide to start this initiative?

I’m a huge fan of online multiplayer games. I think it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and make new ones. At the moment Rocket League is on the top of my list, a super fun and casual but deep game about flying cars that try to put a ball into the opponent’s net, what’s not to like?

I originally started hosting a weekly session of League of Legends a couple of months ago, and now we’re going to try a mini golf game for people that enjoy less competitive games. The reason I started this initiative is that I believe playing games together is not only fun, but also beneficial for team building and camaraderie. Playing games together can be a great way to get inspiration and ideas for our own game development projects. We can see how other games are designed, how they tackle certain challenges, and learn from their successes and failures.

It is really a great initiative indeed and especially when the team is moving so fast, strong team building is key. Finally, where can we find you on social media, and where can our community connect with you?

My only social media presence right now is on Twitter! You can find me here: @martinTayx

Thank you for tuning into the fourth ‘Behind the Scenes’ with our Client Developer, Martín Pane. We hope you enjoyed learning more about the people behind Fableborne at Pixion Games. Stay tuned for the next interview!

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Let’s embark on an exciting journey together, let’s #becomefableborne.

THE FABLEBORNE TEAM