Over the last decade, the video game industry has seen a rise in notable indie games. It was a sign that developers who had an idea and where willing, could create a game without a big studio behind them. And this was a game-changer for all black game developers who wanted to change up the game with their take on different genres. According to the International Game Developers Association’s 2017 survey, less than 1% of game developers are African-American. But, that doesn’t mean that they’re not putting the time and effort to create development studios and games. And during my time in Detroit for Youmacon. I had the opportunity to meet a black game developer with the will and an idea. To change up the game and create games with his take on them.
Aerial_Knight
While I was at Youmacon, I had the chance to sit and talk with the talented Neil Jones, who also goes by Aerial_Knight. A black game developer born and raised in Detroit. He’s been working in the gaming industry for several years and created his own studio Dead Arts Games, which developed Clique. Right now, he’s working on a few projects, but his main focus is his game Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield. I even had the chance to play the demo and was blown away by what he’s accomplished in just six months. All while working two jobs and taking contract work.
Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield
Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield is a project Neil has been working on independently. It’s a short narrative runner set in a futuristic Tokyo style Detroit. That would be good for speed runners as well as people who don’t have a lot of free time to dedicate to long games. He drew inspiration from Axel Foley from Beverly Hills cop as well as Persona and Watch Dogs. The inspiration behind the music is Cowboy Bebop and was created by his friend Daniel Wilkins.
As you run the futuristic Tokyo styled Detroit, you’ll use the W, A, S, D keys to dodge obstacles and unlock cut scenes. With the focus on it being a short game, it allows Neil to complete this game in a short amount of time. Instead of spending years working on it.
After playing the demo, I wanted more. I was hooked and wanted to know the story, hear more music, and see more of the futuristic Detroit Neil created. He’s aiming to have the game finished by 2020, and I’m looking forward to playing the finished product.
Words of Wisdom from Aerial_Knight
One thing that Neil does that a lot more indie game developers should consider. Is putting their names on their project. Too often do the people behind the game go unrecognized. So, him putting his name on his projects is his way of letting people know who made the game.
Lastly, I asked Neil what advice he would give to any game developers just starting. And his response was, “keep making things and show people what you can do and do it for you.” And that’s something I couldn’t agree with more.
If you want to know more about Aerial_Knight and stay up-to-date on Aeriel Knight’s Never Yield as well as future projects. Check out his website here.
Change is Coming
Even though there’s not a lot of diversity in the gaming industry. Minority game developers have found a way to be seen and heard through indie game development. They’re creating short games in a short time. And telling their stories and changing the way minorities are portrayed in video games. In sharing Neil’s story, I hope that it’ll inspire others to create games. We could use more diversity in the video game industry as well as representation in video games. And change doesn’t happen without action.
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