Develop:Five - Barry Meade

Every week, we ask some of the best game development minds five questions in a feature we are calling Develop:Five. This week, Barry Meade from Fireproof Games answers our new five question blog feature. 

1. What’s your earliest memory of playing video games?

1980, the the back of a pub while on holidays in Kerry, Ireland, they had Space Invaders. We learned how to clock it, it was the best thing ever.

2. What are you most excited or annoyed about in the games industry today?

Can it be the same thing? I think the democratisation of game dev through digital publishing, free tools and mobile has been the biggest change in 30 years. As a business, games is pro-amateur now and at the edges real change is happening, even if the centre is as stiff as ever. I'd say this democratisation is simultaneously the most annoying and the most exciting part of being a developer in 2017.

3. Tell us about a life-changing or special moment you've had at Develop:Brighton in the past.

My favourite memory of Develop is going there for the first time representing Fireproof, the company myself and my friends had just set up. We had nothing to start with but it was so different and freeing being there to drum up business rather than as an employee/observer.

4.  What are you most looking forward to at Develop:Brighton 2017?

For me,  to meet the people who go to it. And to hang out with Fireproof, we always make a big deal of Develop, make it a party for the whole team.

5. Which game developer would you most like to meet and why?

I've managed to meet Tim Schafer and work for Peter Molyneux, both of whom had a big impact on my teenage self. I wouldn't say I have heroes like them anymore but there are certainly devs who's attitude I admire from interviews, so maybe Miyazaki or Miyamoto, or the people behind Paradox software.. in fact thinking about it there's quite a few.

Indie Developer Barry Meade (@Fireproof_Barry), is a co-founder of Fireproof Games, creators of 'The Room' puzzle games and Omega Agent for Rift, GearVR & Vive.

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Find out more about Develop:Brighton here