Poki Developer Spotlight: GameTornado

At Poki, we’re proud of the diverse talent and games that make up our platform! Hundreds of creators call Poki their home, and our Developer Spotlight series exists to shine a light on those voices.

In this latest edition, we have a veteran of the web gaming world: GameTornado

Peter Kaspar, creator of GameTornado, was the first solo developer to join Poki, coming from years of making web games. Some of his titles include Dreadhead Parkour, Bullet Bros and Plonky. The studio is most well known for its Short Life and Rex series of games. Peter began his career in web gaming all the way back in the Flash era, publishing games across several different web platforms. Always looking for new platforms to host his games, Peter came across Poki and the rest is history.

In this interview, we asked Peter about the differences between Flash and HTML5 gaming, how the web games industry has changed over the last two decades and how Poki supports solo developers with their creativity and experimentation.

I believe you got your start in web gaming back in the Flash era of gaming. How and why did you get into making web games?

Peter: Growing up, I always dreamed about making video games. I always wondered how they were made and wanted to make one myself. When I was 10, my dad bought me a computer and I thought it was a magical device, and this fascination led me to become a machine designer after University. It was a stable job, but I couldn’t get rid of my desire to one day make my own video game. 

It was then that I discovered Flash games, these online games that weren’t big studio productions but made by individual developers. Learning this was a huge moment for me, as I realised I could make a game all on my own. 

I decided to try and make a small Flash game for fun and really enjoyed how much creativity it allowed me. It was an incredibly satisfying process and I decided to upload that game online. Shortly after I received an email from a ‘sponsor’ who wanted to buy a customised version of my game, and this was a life changing moment for me. I could actually turn my game-making passion into a real profession.

Some web game developers eventually moved on to mobile and console (and you did release some of the Rex series on mobile) but you’ve stayed primarily as a web game developer. Why is this?

In my opinion, web gaming has a charm the other platforms lack. There’s a simple beauty in web gaming. The ability to instantly play a game, no download required, makes it very easy for players to start having fun right away. People value convenience and web gaming might be the most convenient platform out there for video games.

I did explore mobile development for a bit though and some of my releases were quite successful. But, I always felt more connected to the web environment. It’s easier to update games released and experiment with new ideas. If there’s a mechanic I want to test directly with players, it is very quick and easy to find playtesters. Especially on a platform like Poki, which brings in a lot of organic traffic and provides playtesting tools to all its developers.

You’ve been on Poki since 2018. How did you first find out about the platform?

Around 2018, I was looking for a new web portal for my games and came across Poki. I was impressed with the overall website design. It felt modern, clean and player friendly. I got the impression that the team behind it truly understood what its players wanted.

That said, I was quite cautious at the beginning because trust is extremely important. But after my initial communication with the Poki team, I realised they were honest and professional. The agreements to get my game on the platform were simple and straightforward. The team was friendly and they were very fast to respond to my questions. Right from the start, they created a positive feeling in me, and so releasing my game on Poki felt like a natural step.

Poki games are made using HTML5. What was it like transitioning from Flash to HTML5? What are the advantages and disadvantages of HTML-5, in your eyes?

To be honest, it was quite emotional for me. Flash allowed me to build a career in gaming. When it became clear the market was changing, shifting towards mobile, and it was sad. Like I said before, I did make some mobile games but the engines used back then were not ideal for browser gaming. 

Later on, I discovered Construct3, which was the perfect solution. It allows for quick prototyping and performance. HTML5 has huge advantages like cross-platform compatibility between desktop and mobile. Optimisation can sometimes be tricky with HTML5, but overall I think the transition from Flash was a good thing.

What are your thoughts on web gaming in the modern day compared to how it used to be back when you started, from both a developer POV but also from a player perspective?

The difference is quite big, actually. Early Flash days were extremely experimental - a lot of creativity but the game quality was low. Modern web gaming feels a lot more professional. Poki offers more developer tools and analytics that were never available back in the Flash days. This makes it easier to analyse player behaviour and improve the game quality. From the player’s perspective, a smooth gameplay experience is a must, and new tools make achieving this more doable.

I believe you were the first one-man developer studio on Poki. Was that also the case pre-Poki?

Yeah, definitely. I’ve always been a one-man studio. I prefer working independently. It wasn’t always easy as you have to do everything yourself, but at the same time it gives you incredible freedom. You can move quickly to make prototypes or test ideas without complex approval processes. And the final product is entirely my vision, which is important for the type of games I make.

As a solo developer, have you found it challenging releasing games on Poki? 

No, not really. Poki has been very supportive and given me a lot of freedom to be creative. Clear communication is important for me and Poki has always been responsive and helpful. I appreciate the friendly atmosphere. It feels more like a partnership than a corporate relationship. Poki gives me, and other developers, the ability to focus on creativity as opposed to business stress.

Are there any Poki tools or developer support initiatives that have really stood out to you, and why?

Definitely the developer console itself. It provides error tracking, event analytics and player feedback all in one place. My favourite function is the playtest however. It records real player interactions with your game, giving you insights that you can’t get from pure numbers - like surprising player behaviour or providing context for why people rage quit. These observations inspire me to make improvements and add new features to my games.

For any potential developers or developers on mobile and console looking to get into web gaming, do you have any advice you want to share? 

My main advice is to focus on a strong, core gameplay idea. On the web, simplicity and instant fun are more important than complex systems. Prototype and iterate quickly. Learn from player actions and feedback, using tools like the Poki playtest feature. The trick is always to act fast, setting up fast workflows across all your environments.

While that’s my main advice, the most important takeaway I want to share is that you should always create games from the heart. If you genuinely enjoy what you are building, the players can tell. If you have fun making the game, the players can tell. And if the player can feel positivity radiating from your game, they will have a great time playing it.

A big thank you to Peter for sitting down to speak with us about his history with web gaming. The sector has come a long way since the days of Flash gaming, and it’s great to hear about how tools for web game developers have improved over the years. The freedom provided by HTML5 has made it easier than ever for those interested in game development to make that first step into making games.

If, like Peter, the web appeals as a destination to reach millions of players with high-quality games, reach out and let’s explore your idea!