DWGE: Interview with Ahmad Jadallah, Vertex Studios

Vertex Studios is the first game developer we’ve met from the Middle East working on next-gen video games. They’re displaying their game, Timeless: Chronicles of Atlantis at the Dubai World Game Expo. It’s based on Cry Engine 3 and looks gorgeous. Obvious comparisons to Uncharted 2 come to mind when you look at the game as the graphics are almost on par and the game is a character-based, story-driven experience. Needless to say, we’re excited to see a game of this quality being worked on in the region.

We caught up with Ahmad Jadallah, Technical Manager and Lead Game Designer of Vertex Studios to talk to him about the game and what it’s like to be a Middle East-based next gen game developer.

Ahmad Jadallah, Technical Manager and Lead Game Designer of Vertex Studios

You seem like a hardcore gamer. What kind of games do you play?

I’m the kind of gamer that prefers story-driven experiences. I started with traditional point and click games like Police Quest and King’s Quest during the good old days of DOS on the PC. Whenever I see games pushing in that direction – Tomb Raider or Uncharted 2 as a glorious example, I’m immersed with that. As a personal choice, I don’t go for multiplayer or LAN games – I don’t have that kind of competitive side. I’m in it for the cinematic experience.

Tell us about your educational background and how you got into development.

I started playing games by the age of five and developing games by the age of six. Back in the days I used to use Qbasic, the very basic programming language on DOS. When you look at all the core games like Prince of Persia on DOS, you look at them and think, how can I make my own game and tell my own story. From that, I grow a passion for coding.

Wow! You started coding on Qbasic at the age of six?

Well, we’re not talking about anything fancy but just the basics. From there I went into two directions – there’s the graphical part – I started using 3D Studio on DOS and for the programming part, Visual Basic on Windows 3.1. I realize there’s dust all over the place from how ancient all this is. But that was the starting point. And it’s the integration between art and programming that makes a game interactive.

From that time, I’ve wanted to get into game development but there wasn’t any game development concentration in Universities. So, I completed by Bachelor of IT degree from the American University of Dubai in 2007. Right now I’m doing my Masters in International Business from the same university, as you need to sell the games after you make them as well.

Tell us about Vertex Studios, where you’re based and what you do.

We are based in Dubai Studio City. We started the company in early 2008 and we work in three main fields – 3D animation, whether it’s short animation clips or 30-second spots; 3D game development which is focused on next gen gaming development for PS3/Xbox 360 and mobile game development for iPhone; and finally, we do virtual reality applications – think of it as games done for a serious purpose. So, you explore an apartment and look at the various items, you can turn the lights on and off and have an interactive visualization experience, but of course you don’t have to kill anyone (laughs).

At the moment, we’re focusing on the development of our flagship product, Timeless: Chronicles of Atlantis. We’ve finished the demo level to show at the Dubai World Game Expo and we’re approaching publishers to take it to the next level.

Is the demo playable now?

Yes, we have a playable level for the Dubai World Game Expo. It’s about 20 minutes of gameplay and it’s based in Petra, Jordan in the year 1813. Our game is themed on time travel and we have the opportunity of exploring multiple environments and multiple character settings. We’ll have levels in Petra, Andalos, Yemen and many other locations. It’s a Middle Eastern game at heart but it’s also done for a worldwide target audience. It’s going to be available in both English and Arabic on multiple consoles.

Will we see a bit of Dubai in there as well?

Yes, of course.

The game is very character and story-driven. Tell us about it.

We’re holding off on those details right now as we’re finalizing the story and a deal with publishers. We’ll leave it as a pleasant surprise for when the game releases. We’ve looked around us and we’ve tried to build the game with the settings we live in. So, for example, in Dubai, you can expect to have 20-year-old with a glamorous lifestyle. We’re trying to portray all these things in the game.

When can we see a finished game?

For the finished product, we’re looking to target some time in 2011.

You’re a next gen developer. So, which platforms will you be targeting for the game?

PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and it’s based on the Cry Engine 3.

What’s it like developing a game in Dubai?

It’s been an interesting challenge. We’re one of the few companies that have the license to develop retail products for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the region. It’s a great opportunity for us and we’re going to make the best of it.

You said you’re based in Dubai Studio City. Do you find any limitations in terms of trying to develop a game in this region?

Being the first definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. It means that you have to struggle so much and your first project is going to be the most challenging. We have a lot of interesting stories to tell from the Middle East. We’re building an IP, a franchise and not only a game. And we have a general direction of how to go about that. We’re gamers at heart and we play games all the time – it’s not in our interest to make a bad game. We want to do this right and we want to do justice to the subject matter.

In-game advertising and product placements are the buzzwords at the moment. Do you think you’ll have any product placements for Dubai in the game – maybe the Burj Al Arab snuck in at some point?

For single player experiences, it’s more about product placements rather than in-game advertising. We’re looking at that and see how to fit it so that it’s not intrusive and flows naturally with the experience.

So, what’s your next step?

Our next step is to find a publisher for the game. We’re already talking to a couple of them and we’ve got a lot of positive feedback. We’re trying to finalize a few deals and hopefully get into full production.

We’re very excited about the game and wish you the best of luck.

Thank you.