Europe 2015Video Coverage

Fredrik Fors Hansen and Creating Memorable Moments | Casual Connect Video

May 8, 2015 — by Catherine Quinton

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Europe 2015Video Coverage

Fredrik Fors Hansen and Creating Memorable Moments | Casual Connect Video

May 8, 2015 — by Catherine Quinton

Correct issues early on, 'Test early, fail early!' - Fredrik Fors HansenClick To Tweet

As a part of their session at Casual Connect Europe 2015, Aurora Klaeboe Berg and Fredrik Fors Hansen spoke about their success Fun Run. Fredrik discussed and broke down the game design decisions behind the hit game Fun Run and requirements for the successful sequel. He explains the most important aspect of Fun Run: “The introduction of multi-player to Fun Run is of immense importance. It adds the valuable outcome, it adds the intense races, you never get bored from it, you get constant challenges, you can strive to hit the leader boards, [and] you you can have the most important of it all - the social aspect, combined with competition”.







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Fredrik Fors Hansen Lead Game Designer and 2D artist at Dirtybit.

For Fredrik Fors Hansen, the best thing about his work is that he can work on a daily basis with the things he is truly passionate about. This allows him to create memorable moments for millions around the globe while increasing his own expertise. He is the Lead Game Designer and 2D artist at Dirtybit. His responsibilities include UI/UX design, character design, content design and overall game design. At the core of all these is the obligation to maintain and ensure that the product meets the creative vision.

Finding the Potential in Games

As Fredrik was growing up, the games he played had an immense impact on him. He continued to see more and more potential in games, and eventually he knew the games industry was where he wanted to be and what he still wants to do to make his contribution in shaping the future.

His involvement in the industry began with a three year Bachelor of Science Degree in Game Design. During this time, he gained priceless experience with internships at several studios. This focus on creativity has been vital to the work he does, as well as being great fun.

logoHe then went on to work at Dirtybit, and has continued there until he is now a central part of the team. The way he works in his current position has been shaped by previous work on a variety of different games and platforms as well as his collaboration with very creative and interesting people.

As a child, his dream job was to be an architect, and if he were not in the games industry he would now be exactly that, a graphic designer or working within the field of psychology. But, as he says, “Now I’m a different kind of architect!”

Keeping In Balance

Fredrik’s work includes many diverse tasks and responsibilities since he has a great variety of skills and areas of expertise. At times, balancing all this is very challenging. He accomplishes it all and avoids stress and mistakes by keeping calm and structured and making sure every task is clearly defined and planned in great detail.

The most exciting time in his career has been having a large role and responsibility in the development of Fun Run 2. He insists, “Seeing the game climb up the charts with millions enjoying it has been priceless.” In fact their most recent milestone was reaching 65 million total downloads with the Fun Run games.

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“Seeing the game climb up the charts with millions enjoying it has been priceless.”

The games at Dirtybit are free-to-play in order to lower the entry barrier and reach a larger audience. They also firmly believe in making the game the same for everyone whether or not they are paying customers. They focus their monetizing on cosmetics and clever, subtle ad solutions and are careful to avoid any deceit.

Working With Passion

For the team he works with, Fredrik looks for people with passion, drive, involvement and a wish to grow.  The most difficult qualities to find are true dedication and a will to grow with the company. But he recognizes that the work environment must encourage all of these attributes. And he believes his employees are aware of his own passion and devotion to his work.

Everyone works together openly toward solving complications within the team.
Everyone works together openly toward solving complications within the team.

Fredrik describes the structure of Dirtybit as a very flat hierarchy where everyone is encouraged to voice concerns about anything. The management is run very transparently; everyone works together openly toward solving complications within the team.




At Dirtybit they consider early testing crucial to game development. Fredrik emphasizes, “We are making a game for others, and not ourselves. If our design is lacking we must consider iterations and changes.” When they haven’t tested early enough, they have seen the negative effects on the product. So, he insists, “Test early, fail early!”

The most difficult experiences have occurred when they have failed to convey functions or purpose of mechanics when testing a game. “When play testers don’t understand something and we have to step in and explain”, he admits, “this is not the player’s fault, it’s ours.”

The most interesting reactions they have received have come when new testers first confront the violence of Fun Run 2. There is a shock effect
caused by the contrast between the violence and the cute, happy setting of the game, both visually and mechanically.




Away from his work, Fredrik can be found painting and drawing, and, of course, playing games.

 

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Catherine Quinton

Catherine Quinton

Catherine Quinton is a staff writer for www.gamesauce.org. Catherine loves her hobby farm, long walks in the country and reading great novels.

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