Mini Update: Meet The Team - Tim Robins
Hi guys! We know you're all waiting for updates and we've got a big one coming on Tuesday. In the meantime, we thought that you'd enjoy learning more about the team behind Broken Sword: the Serpent's Curse! So today we'd like to introduce you to Tim Robins, our friendly Graphic Artist.
Could you introduce yourself to us?
Hi, my name is Tim Robins and I am a Graphic Artist at Revolution Software.
What do you do at Revolution?
I work closely with Director Charles Cecil as well as with the Art Director Tori Davis. As a Graphic Artist I am responsible for the visual style of interactive elements in the game. I design and create any text and information you see on the screen: from an icon, to a menu page or map.
Being traditionally trained, I never venture far without my sketch book and pencils. I will often sketch out my initial thoughts and designs on paper and then render up the final designs on the computer. I usually work in Photoshop and Illustrator, creating my designs in vectors. This means that no matter how big or small the design is (whether played on an iphone or a retina widescreen monitor) my images will always look super crisp and clear.
I sometimes also work as an assistant Layout Artist, helping out with background art and environments for the game. It's good fun to have the flexibility to change from drawing with vectors and back.
What do you do for fun?
I'm a big PC gamer, at the moment I've been playing Jagged Alliance 2 and Frozen Synapse after work as well as my other games on Steam, I think they number around 400 at the moment! What can I say - I love my games!
Tell us something crazy about yourself?
I would say being a Pyrotechnician for Calvin Harris (I blow stuff up at his shows), I went to many festivals but the Creamfields festival was the most rememberable. The whole venue was pretty much underwater so we had to use some of our flight boxes to sail equipment to the stage using a scaffold pole to punt them along. The saying 'the show must go on' has new meaning for me now.
When did you discover Broken Sword?
I was lucky enough to have a family computer in 1996 when Broken Sword came out, I had been playing Cannon Fodder to death beforehand and the Shadow of the Templar was a nice change for my parents as they preferred George's dulcet tones to constant machine gun fire.
What is your fondest memory of Broken Sword?
I have always loved how George just takes each adventure in his stride, like it's a slight inconvenience to his day. He is a true hero.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I have great honour and pride in being a part of the new Broken Sword game. As a kid I used to dream about working on a game such as Broken Sword. It's taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get this opportunity, and I want to help create the masterpiece the wonderfully dedicated fans deserve. In the end, with out them, Broken Sword 5 wouldn't be possible.
14,032
Backers
$771,560
pledged of $400,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Aug 23, 2012 -
Sep 22, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Charles Cecil 1547 friends
- Website: revolution.co.uk
Pledge $15 or more
4932 backers
BROKEN SWORD SUPPORTER: • Download of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' - PC & Mac • Regular Developer Diaries, Ideas Exchange Forum & Video Updates • Access to Exclusive Digital Content: Game Artwork (inc. posters and wallpaper); and Director's commentary on previous Broken Sword games & Archive Videos
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $25 or more
3952 backers
BROKEN SWORD MEMBER: All above rewards plus: • High Resolution digital Comic Books of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse', 'Broken Sword: Director's Cut', and 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered' • History of Broken Sword eBook • 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' digital Concept Art - character sheets, layouts etc. • Game's digital Soundtrack • Copy of any one previous Revolution game on GOG.com (Broken Sword or otherwise - PC only)
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $50 or more
2036 backers
BROKEN SWORD SILVER MEMBER: All above rewards plus: • Exclusive digital game design content: Scripts of 'Broken Sword:Director's Cut', 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered', and 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' • Game Design Document for 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse' • Archive of Game Design Documents for previous games • All Revolution Games titles on GOG.com: 'Broken Sword 1 - 4', 'In Cold Blood', 'Lure of the Temptress' & 'Beneath a Steel Sky' (PC only) • ‘Broken Sword Silver Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $100 or more
2172 backers
BROKEN SWORD GOLD MEMBER - All above rewards plus: • Boxed Kickstarter special edition of the Game, includes: CD / DVD game with full packaging; printed Comic of 'Broken Sword - the Serpent's Curse', 'Broken Sword: Director's Cut' & 'Broken Sword - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered'; Large game Poster; CD of soundtrack; & Kickstarter Backer T-Shirt (shipping in US, EU and UK included) • Early access to digital Music Soundtrack • ‘Broken Sword Gold Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $175 or more
113 backers
BROKEN SWORD PLATINUM MEMBER - All above rewards plus: • Your box signed by key team members and Rolf Saxon • Printed copy of the Game Design Document • ‘Broken Sword Platinum Member’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $250 or more
530 backers
BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT - All above rewards plus: • Printed copy of Game Design Document signed by the Director • Signed 'History of Broken Sword' color Book • Templar Keyring Pendant • Signed Comic Book of 'Broken Sword: the Serpent’s Curse' • Private invite to Code Jam once per month – ask questions and get live answers! • 'Knight of the Broken Sword' credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $500 or more
137 backers Limited (863 of 1000 left)
BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT COMMANDER - All above rewards plus: • Signed limited edition Kickstarter Backer Certificate • Signed Poster • Nico's "La Liberte" Reporter's Notebook! • Signed limited edition George and Nico Print • 'Broken Sword: Knight Commander' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
26 backers Limited (974 of 1000 left)
BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT SENESCHAL - All above rewards plus: • Personal written message from Charles Cecil • Early backers' access to game assets • Special Kickstarter Broken Sword Hoodie – wrap around color, fantastic! • Broken Sword baseball cap • ‘Broken Sword: Knight Seneschal’ Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
2 backers Limited (48 of 50 left)
BROKEN SWORD KNIGHT MASTER - All above rewards plus: • Personal Voicemail Message from George or Nico • Invitation to Launch Party in UK (excludes travel and accommodation) • A unique Drawing of you, in a suitable pose, with either George or Nico (your choice) • Broken Sword Knight Master Jacket – wrap around color, ultra high quality! • 'Broken Sword: Knight Master' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (8 of 8 left)
BROKEN SWORD GRAND MASTER - All above rewards plus: • Broken Sword Grandmaster Jacket (replaces 'Knight Master' jacket) – wrap around color as above, best quality – the ultimate! • Original pencil Storyboard Sheets (option to be signed) • Exclusive high quality Aluminum-printed Poster • Lunch and Studio Tour plus hands-on sneak peek of game in development (includes accommodation but not travel) • Invitation to the Wrap Party in exotic game location with key team members (includes accommodation but not travel) • All Broken Sword Grandmasters are drawn into the game in a group photo, that George and Nico can get a close up of and comment on! • 'Broken Sword: Grand Master' Credit in the game!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
Comments
Creator Timothy Gareth Howell Robins on September 12, 2012
@Joann Thanks for your feedback and your great suggestions, I used to do work for NAB in the UK, (Northamptonshire Association for the Blind) http://www.nab.org.uk and that has taught me lot about accessibility for the partially sighted. Communicating information to the player is key in an adventure game so we are working hard on our user interface so it is as good as it can be, so customising how the text is displayed from the menu will be brought up in our next meeting.
Creator Alessandro Saiko on September 12, 2012
It looks gorgeous so far! Keep on doin' regular updates and good to know where our money goes when seeing that there is ongoing process and that it is even running on mobile devices now!
Creator Joann TONON on September 12, 2012
Hi Tim Robins,
I'm a french fan of Broken Sword. As i am partially sighted, i would like to alert you about contrasts, text visibility and readability. Sometimes when the background is bright, the front text (such as pointer description or subtitles) are difficult to read especially if font size is small. Could it be possible to put a dark background behind the text to improve contrast ? And why not an option in the configuration menu to change the size of the fonts ? Thank you for to take care about peopole with disabilities. Point and click games are more easy for us because there are no timers, time-out and no reflexes are needed, so we have time to explore and to enjoy the scenes which is slow due to our disability.
Best regards,
Creator Raphael Bauer on September 10, 2012
Hello again,
I really don't understand why there are so few people backing up this project ...
I have the feeling that many Broken Sword Fans have no clue what is getting on here .
It was the same with me and the Wasteland 2 campaign . I just read about it 2 months after it finished .
I was really very upset as I am a Fallout fan, too.
Maybe Revolution should make more advertisment in different medias in order to reach more fans .
I can't believe that there are only 10 000 people that would love to see an oldschool broken sword.
Creator Martin Mulrooney ⌠⌠ Order of the Goat ⌠⌠ on September 10, 2012
Great interview - Tim sounds like a really nice guy. What a dream project to be working on! :D
Creator S.D. on September 10, 2012
I'd be honored, Tim! I'm "s-d". What's your alias?
Creator Timothy Gareth Howell Robins on September 10, 2012
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and words on my past acting career.
@ S.D. send me your frozen synapse alias and we'll battle it out if you want
@ Hayley I know how you feel I've got a stack of 360 games that need my attention!
Creator Moeez Siddiqui on September 9, 2012
Loved you in Shawshank Redemption and Jacob's Ladder!
(damn it, someone made the joke before)
Broken Sword games are some of the few that I'd gladly show to parents or relatives, great "couch" co-op game.
Creator Julie Robbins - Order of the Goat on September 9, 2012
Hello Tim, nice to meet you.
Creator Martin Blazek on September 9, 2012
That was Tim Robbins - single T but double B ;-)
Creator David Swallow on September 8, 2012
I thought you were great in The Shawshank Redemption! ;-)
Creator Nina - Revolution - Order of the Goat on September 8, 2012
Tim has also been doing most of the Kickstarter graphics (like the representation of the rewards). :)
Creator Hayley Morris on September 8, 2012
I'm impressed by your 400 titles. I personally have bought 243 to date. I think I have a shopping addiction rather than a gaming one though. If I look at my wall too long or think of my steam list, or the stack of ds games waiting for me I end up in cold sweats...They're ganging up on me....
I hope you do well at revolution and hope the rest of the team are as amusing a read.
Creator Gus Daniel - Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 8, 2012
This is Gaming in its highest form. I hope that more developers are going to follow your example and make games based on what the players want and not on what their statistic charts say. It's nice to meet you Tim and good luck on trying to top the previous games. ( like trying to climb Everest )
Creator Raphael Bauer on September 8, 2012
Hope you ( Tim Robins ) feel as honored as I would feel to work with charles cecil creating the heritage of
the awesome broken sword series. And I only played the first two games, so I declare myself a member of the so called " Oldschool-Adventure-Lovers" .
I hope you can keep it up ! :-)
I have one question , where I pray for it being read by a Revolution(er) :-)
Will we ( the backers ) be able to express some wishes or thoughts how BS 5 can be a great game that can reach the gameplay experience of the first game ? I am a very sensible player and am quite critical and could name some things , that are responsible for the great experience of Broken Sword 1 ( and also 2) . I would feel honored to be heard by Revolution .
Last I have to say that Broken Sword 1 was the most pleasurable adventure game I have played. I could go into detail, and would love to do it ,but I want to be sure that if I do , Revolution can spare 5 minutes take a look. Thank you for your great games !
Best regards !
Creator JJ - Order of the Goat on September 8, 2012
Awesome. Tim Robins is wicked!
Creator Daniel Greaves on September 8, 2012
Sounds like a good guy glad he's on the team
Creator Richard - 'Order Of The Coal Black Goat' on September 8, 2012
Nice to meet Tim :) Who (just to note), looks kind of like Fran Healy from Travis, cute :P
Creator Laura Peralta ♥ Order of the Goat on September 8, 2012
Aw! i love to know more about the team who is creating the best game ever ;) cheers to each of them! :D
Creator PopPop - ASYLUM KRAZIES on September 8, 2012
The Order of the Goat extends its hooves to Tim Robins.
Creator S.D. on September 8, 2012
Frozen Synapse is one of recent crop of addictive games who've ported natively to Linux... as such, I have, and play, it! I'd quite enjoy the opportunity to have Tim thoroughly trounce me a few times ;-)
Creator SoulLifter on September 8, 2012
Nice update. And, Tim gets a +1 for a cute pic! ;-)
Creator Christian Kiefl on September 8, 2012
Very nice update, thx
Creator Andy ~ OotG on September 8, 2012
Pyrotechnician for Calvin Harris = Awesome ;)
Creator Gangxxter ⌠⌠ Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 8, 2012
Great update, thank you :)
Creator Tom on September 8, 2012
Nice to know a bit about the people behind the game. From what we've seen, your doing a great job Tim. Look forward to playing the game.
Creator Hakan Karaduman on September 8, 2012
Nice update, looking forward to see other members presentation. Thanks and hello Tim.
Creator Alexandra Davies on September 8, 2012
Nice update :D can't wait for Tuesdays ^_^
Creator Derek Keeping on September 8, 2012
Thanks for this update Tim
Creator Cyneva Dalton-Vazquez on September 8, 2012
Nice to meet you, Tim - this is an exciting project!
Creator Sam Holdsworth - Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 8, 2012
Awesome! We love you Tim! :)
Creator Yannis Kyriazidis on September 8, 2012
So you are the one that we expect so much from! :) Just kidding! The presentation of the members is a great idea!
Go, go, go!
Creator Filip ⌠⌠ Order of the Goat $7.77 on September 8, 2012
Nice to meet you Tim. :)
Creator Vladimir Lazarevic on September 8, 2012
Amazing.