Meet the New Fateless Team Members!

The latest episode of the Fateless Podcast is packed with exciting updates and legendary gaming stories. Hosted by Brad, this episode features two key new additions to the Fateless team—John Styes (CTO) and Chris (CVO). Both bring decades of game development experience to the table, having worked on some of the most iconic titles in gaming history. From NBA Jam to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, these industry veterans share insights into their past projects and what excites them most about joining Fateless.

Brad kicks things off by introducing the latest members of the Fateless team. John Styes joins as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), bringing over 25 years of industry experience. His impressive resume includes work at Iguana Studios, Sony, and projects involving massive franchises like Spyro the Dragon and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Chris, stepping in as the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO), has been in the industry for over 30 years, previously teaching C++ before transitioning into game development. With a deep history working on projects like NBA Jam and NFL Quarterback Club, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge in game balancing and design.

The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as John and Chris reminisce about their time in the gaming industry. Some of the highlights include:

• NBA Jam’s Secret Code: Chris reveals a never-before-shared cheat code from NBA Jam 2004 that unlocks all hidden teams. Simply enter “-LPP-” as your profile name to access the overpowered developer teams, including robots and historical figures like Benjamin Franklin!
• NFL Quarterback Club’s Development Challenges: John recalls being handed a VHS tape of the last NFL Quarterback Challenge and being told to “just make it.” This led to sleepless nights as he meticulously recreated the event in the game.
• Meeting Legends: The duo has crossed paths with industry icons like Brett “The Hitman” Hart, William Shatner, and even Douglas Adams. Chris shares a hilarious E3 story where he met Tim Curry, who voiced a character in Wild Thornberries.

Both John and Chris express their enthusiasm for Fateless, particularly the team’s approach to game development. Unlike past experiences where games were made in isolation and hoped to find an audience later, Fateless has built a passionate community from the start.

Chris emphasizes the importance of having an engaged player base to help refine balance and gameplay mechanics, while John is eager to leverage new technology and tools to optimize the experience.

As discussions shift towards Fateless’s game, Godforge, the team dives into the complexities of balancing a game with so many heroes, animations, and mechanics. With thousands of potential interactions between abilities, ensuring fair play is a massive challenge.

Chris highlights the importance of data-driven balancing, revealing that they plan to implement a sophisticated metrics system to track performance and player choices. The goal is to create a shifting meta where multiple strategies remain viable, keeping gameplay fresh and exciting.

When asked about their current gaming habits, John admits to being a “game collector” on Steam—buying games and playing them for 15 minutes before moving on. He enjoys indie titles and plays League of Legends, often experimenting with off-meta jungle picks. Meanwhile, Chris enjoys session-based games like *Slay the Spire*, praising its balance and replayability.

When it comes to adding legendary figures to Godforge, John pitches classic American folklore characters like Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and even Johnny Appleseed (who could attack enemies by throwing apples!). Chris suggests mythological creatures like the Egyptian god Sobek, a fearsome crocodile deity.

This episode provides an exciting look at what’s to come for Fateless and Godforge. With John and Chris now on board, the team is ready to tackle the immense challenges of game development while leveraging player feedback to shape the experience.

Want to join the conversation? Share your thoughts on which mythical figures should be added to Godforge! Head over to the Fateless Discord and let your voice be heard.