BuddyCops: A Look Into OmniBus

Hey gang! Kailey here,

First, a big thank you to BuddyCops, the creators of OmniBus, for coming and speaking to us.  As the co-creators, Amir and Jeremy, gave their post-mortem talk, they laid down some helpful tips about the making of their game, OmniBus!

After an introduction, they gave a brief history of the game. The idea of OmniBus started out as an idea that occurred in an ethics class that they both took while studying at DePaul University. This idea continued throughout the summer before their senior year but was then pushed aside once school started up again. Jeremy then brought the idea back up and thus the process of OmniBus began. They talked about the vices and virtues of having a Kickstarter, trying to keep up a social media presence and gaining a publisher. Pertaining to gaining a publisher Amir and Jeremy highlighted how their game peaked before its release. Their game had been played by the popular YouTuber, PewDiePie, which made the game explode and the pair were able to gain a publisher because of its newfound popularity!

Looking back at their own project they told us to have a development blog to keep track of your own progress and to give teases to people who are invested. They talked about how looking back at their development blog was like looking back on your Facebook pictures.

They also talked about the importance of being involved in the Chicago gaming scene. They encouraged people to go to meetings like “Indie City”, which is happening this Saturday (5/26 @ 1pm), “Industry Night” and attend festivals like “BitBash” to make connections with people, “Rub butts with all the indies” -Amir. They encouraged this because in their experience finding and making connections is extremely helpful, most people in the industry will be willing to give feedback to your projects; as long as you find the right people, “Indies helping indies” -Amir

(Top two photos courtesy of Amir and Jeremy)