The game development scene in Latin America has been hooked on the rise of independent games and AAs looking to deliver that coup that takes the region to the top. The creative epicenter is in Brazil with a growing industry and interesting proposals that appeal to different genres. Being seduced by multiculturalism in Latin America is inevitable, and for a game developer from the big leagues this was a very valuable opportunity.
By the time you read this, the details and the new trailer for Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil, a simulator inspired by the Tycoon genre, that is, with administrative management and progression, developed by Good Dog Studios and led by Chance Glasco. In case you don’t know, this Glasco is one of the founders of Infinity Ward, a studio that marked the birth and dizzying rise of call of duty. He was there when the studio and Activision clashed in one of the most tense moments for a successful company, studio, and franchise, and his departure led him down a path that found its way to Rio de Janeiro. Janeiro, Brazil.
What is Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil and where does your inspiration come from?
The official press description Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil states the following: “offers players the opportunity to build and manage their own martial arts empire in Rio de Janeiro, from training aspiring fighters in the favelas to organizing exciting tournaments. Featuring a unique mix of strategy, simulation, and, Of Course Martial Arts Action, Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil promises to captivate fans of various genres.”
The most recent information tells us that, in addition to thinking about managing and growing a martial arts gym in the middle of a favela, the game will include situations typical of Brazilian neighborhoods. This means that you will have to look after your students so that they avoid gang problems, and also deal with all kinds of contingencies that could ruin your plans at the least expected moment.
Video: Trailer Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil
In this context and with a clear interest in the new project of a developer who witnessed one of the stories that changed contemporary gaming, our conversation with Chance Glasco allowed us to learn about the origin of Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazilas well as his inspiration in Brazilian society and culture.
Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil It was born from your life experience in Brazil, one of the most important countries in Latin America, where the contrasts show the inequalities of the region. How does this influence your idea of creating a martial arts themed sim?
Chance Glasco: Unfortunately, there is a tendency in the media to focus on the negative aspects of favelas, often painting a one-dimensional picture of crime, drug trafficking, violence, and police. This perception is fueled by movies, games, and even the news, creating an unfair stereotype of these communities. While it is true that these challenges exist, there is much more to the favelas than is normally described.
“…there are even rich people building and living in the favelas as well. As a result, you might have NPCs with different economic backgrounds visiting your gym and you’ll have to cater to both groups”
As for how it affects gameplay, as a gym owner, you’ll be able to cater to a wide variety of demographic-inspired content. Unlike many American cities, it’s all too common to see wealthy areas bordering extremely impoverished favelas. From time to time, there are even rich people who build and live in the favelas. As a result, you may have NPCs with different economic backgrounds visiting your gym, and you’ll need to cater to both groups.
Contact sports have been an analogy for the way in which Latinos make our way through life and Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil It takes place in the middle of the Brazilian favelas with everything that happens in them, including violence in the streets. What differences do you find in this context as a source of inspiration compared to other creative processes in which you have participated?
Chance Glasco: the biggest difference is that I personally have been involved in the theme of this game. When working on call of duty, had no military background or experience or came from a military family. With Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil I am combining my personal passions, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and video games. It’s good to work on a project where you already know a lot about the subject.
Also, training Jiu-jitsu is a great way to balance out the long hours at the desk that you put in as a game developer. I can go to work out during lunch, go back to work, and feel more focused and energized. And like many other forms of exercise, it doesn’t get monotonous or boring. Jiu-jitsu is almost like a video game where you play with your body. The transitions and changes are like a flowchart and you will be thinking like a programmer to design ways out of disadvantageous situations or towards better situations.
“With Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil, I am combining my personal passions, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and video games. It’s good to work on a project where you already know a lot about the subject”
Does the project receive advice or comments from social groups belonging to the favelas to
draw on specific cultural elements?
Chance Glasco: Because I lived in Rio for over 3 years, I was able to make a lot of connections in and around my community. He lived in Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, just 2 blocks from the favelas you see in our first screenshots. I learned most of my Portuguese at the local apothecary, which was made up of the way of speaking of many different people from my near and neighboring communities. As a result, most of my connections to the Brazilian favelas are personal, as well as some connections I have made in the world of MMA and jiu-jitsu.
It’s also very helpful to talk to fighters like Charles Oliveira or Alan “Nugette” Patrick, who spent much of their lives in Brazilian favelas. They have a unique perspective and can talk about how jiu-jitsu or MMA played an important role in their life.
On a more official front, I am a senior fellow at the Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation (Arsht-Rock) Center for Resilience. They are a climate resilience organization that is part of the Atlantic Council. Because poor communities tend to feel the negative effects of the weather more, we work and are connected with many other NGOs that focus on problems of extreme poverty.
Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil
Innovation is not in the AAA and Latin America has to take advantage of it
During our conversation with Chance Glasco we talked about the differences between the great video game developments and what happens in a scene far from the mainstream, where the reflectors are their own and are far from the global shine. Currently, it is thought that there is little room for innovation in the higher planes where the AAA projects live and that the hopes of rebellion, change and originality lie elsewhere. This was what he told us.
The video game industry is dynamic and constantly changing. However, there are questions regarding what happens in the mainstream versus the AA or indie scene. Do you think there are notable differences and, if so, how do they affect the creative level and development processes?
As much as I love the quality and quantity of talent that goes into a full AAA production, AAs and indies are usually the spaces where all the innovation happens. AAA development costs can exceed $100 million for a single project, and the larger the budget, the less likely an investor or publisher is to want to take risks.
“As much as I love the quality and quantity of talent that goes into a full AAA production, AAs and indies are usually where all the innovation happens”
Also, with the evolution of development tools over the last decade, you can get close to AAA quality with a relatively small team, if you use your resources correctly.
What differences do you notice with respect to large projects such as call of duty when you were in
Infinity Ward and what you do today with Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil?
When it comes to the development process, I have to fill a lot more roles like co-founder and creative director instead of being an animator on call of duty. I am involved in the game design process, public relations, marketing, business development, fundraising, and many other aspects. It’s exciting, but as things escalate, it can get a bit overwhelming at times. That being said, I love variety.
I am also enjoying the small team. When we started Infinity Ward, there were 23 of us doing call of duty. When I left Infinity Ward, there were over 300 people in our studio, and that’s not including the other studios and developers involved in the project. Once there are more than 70 people on the team, you start not knowing people’s names. At Good Dog, we are currently a small team of 5 full-time core developers and a few part-timers, not including me.
Brazil is a leader in the development of video games in the region, but we are still waiting for the game that transcends the world. What do you think about growth and potential in the medium and long term for Latin America?
I think Latin America and Brazil are 2 of the most underrated gaming markets on the planet. Just the amount of passion from the players in Latin America excites me every time I visit a gaming event there. Which is why I’m incredibly excited to show you the world premiere and trailer for Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil at the BIG Festival in São Paulo. I also expect publishers and developers to take Latin America more seriously as the area gets stronger economically over time.
We would like to thank Chance Glasco and Jesús Fabre for the attention they gave to carry out this interview and the details and material they provided for the coverage of Martial Arts Tycoon: Brazil.
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