Daniel Ferrer Ratcliffe was born in Arrecife and grew up in the town of Tías, of a Spanish father and an English mother, he went to Madrid to study a degree in Video Game Design and Development.
Since finishing his studies, he has worked for video game companies in Germany, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom, but he also develops his own video games in his spare time.
The first was called 'One True Hero', he designed it for children and launched it in 2022. With it he raised 4,000 euros. With the second, a horror game called 'Among Ashes', he has already earned ten times more. In an interview with Ekonomus we talked about the video game industry and his career in the guild.
- Where are you from?
I am from Lanzarote, I was born in Arrecife, but I grew up in the town of Tías. My father is Spanish and my mother is English.
- How were you trained?
At 18 I went to Madrid and studied a degree in video game design and development at the University School of Design, Innovation and Technology (ESNE). Before it was a master's degree, when I did it it had just become a university degree.
Now I think that now I think it is even in the Canary Islands. (The Universidad del Atlántico Medio offers a Degree in Digital Creation, Animation and Video Game Development in the Canary Islands).
- How did you decide on video games?
I have liked them since I was little. I was one of those who started drawing cards, like Pokémon cards, and things like that, I always drew, I was always writing stories.
- Are you good at drawing? Is it necessary to work in video games?
No, I'm not very good at it (Laughs). I'm better at 3D modeling, which is a bit more technical.
- What does 3D modeling consist of?
There are special programs for it. The most modern ones are almost sculptural. It's like making a sculpture of the character but in virtual.
Then you have to make a more simplified model so that a computer can run it without smoking. Then you have to paint it and put a skeleton in it, if it has to move, and then move it like a puppet. Later you put it in the game and put the programming on it.
- And to make 2D video games... how is it done?
Two-dimensional video games are simpler, but you have to be better at drawing, the most used tool is Photoshop, but there are alternative versions that are becoming more and more popular.
- Your first video game was called One True Hero, how has it worked?
It is the first game I released on my own, in 2022. About 5,000 copies have been downloaded for computers. They have not provided me with the number for consoles, an external company made the version for consoles and I get a percentage of the sales.
One True Hero is available for computer, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
- In addition to releasing your own video games, you also have a job with a company in the sector...
Making my own video games is a hobby for me. I have been working for video game companies since I finished my degree in 2014, first in Germany and then in Madrid, working remotely for a company in Prague and now for a British company.
- Your second video game is horror, it's called 'Among ashes' and it came out in December...
Yes, Among Ashes is available for computer, PlayStation and Xbox. In a couple of weeks it will also be released in physical format and will be in stores.
- How much money did you earn with the first video game?
With the first one, very little, about 4,000 euros, but it was an experience to learn.
"There is nothing that prevents the development of video games in Lanzarote. What is missing are houses"
- And have you earned more with the second one?
With the second one I have earned ten times more. I have already exceeded 40,000. It is a more polished product and also attracts a wider audience and works better on Steam (download platform) and PlayStation than a game for children like One True Hero.
- Where is it selling the most?
In the United States and China.
- How many copies have you sold?
For computers, there are 4,300 copies sold on the Steam platform. It can also be purchased in the online stores of Playstation and Xbox. In two weeks the physical version will be released to be able to buy it in physical stores, from July 23.
- What would you say to the kids from Lanzarote who love video games and are considering dedicating themselves to this world?
I would tell them that it is not the same to do it than to play it (laughs). And that it is the entertainment industry that is giving the most money, more than music and cinema combined, but it is difficult to enter.
- Is it well paid?
If you get in, it pays well. Of course, you need to know English to work remotely for foreign companies, because there are not many video game companies in Spain.
- The Cabildo and the Chamber of Commerce are preparing a training plan to create video game companies in Lanzarote. How do you see the island to develop this industry?
It's funny, because you can work on this anywhere in the world. In fact, I have colleagues who are working in the Philippines and travel around the world while working with the company. There is nothing that prevents the development of video games in Lanzarote, what is missing are houses.
