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Secret Lab Develops Games and Teaches Others How to Develop Them as Well (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the no-man-is-an-island-but-these-guys-live-on-one dept.

On the Island of Tasmania, there is a Secret Lab. More accurately, it is a business called Secret Lab, run by co-founders Paris Buttfield-Addison and Jon Manning. On their website they say, “Secret Lab is an indie game developer and mobile app training studio based in Hobart, Australia. We're responsible for some of the world's most popular mobile apps -- recently, we've worked on Meebo for iPhone, ABC Play School Art Maker for iPad, ABC Good Game for iPhone and ABC Foodi for iPad. Secret Lab also offers intensive training workshops on iOS and Android development.” They recently presented at OSCON in Portland, OR, where Timothy Lord and his camcorder caught up with them there (as did Rachel Roumeliotis of O'Reilly Media with her camcorder). At just over 30 minutes, this is the longest Slashdot video interview we've ever run. It's worth the time, despite some rough sound patches, if you are interested in mobile game development -- or even if you are just interested in seeing what kind of colorful people do this sort of thing.

29 comments

  1. Longest video interview = wrong direction by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    >> At just over 30 minutes, this is the longest Slashdot video interview we've ever run

    You're not hearing us, are you?

    1. Re:Longest video interview = wrong direction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      They can't hear you, they're too busy making videos

    2. Re:Longest video interview = wrong direction by rullywowr · · Score: 1
      Yep. Another mundane, boring Slashvertisement. What's next, religious programming like the 700 club? Or perhaps an interview with the intern at your local AT&T substation where he ventures out to the hardware store to purchase zip ties and Slashdot rides along with video camera in tow?
      And from ABCsmallTimeGarbageAppMakerCompany, none the less. Slashdotters rarely RTFA...you think most will WTFV? Seriously?

      Move along, nothing to see here.

    3. Re:Longest video interview = wrong direction by TWiTfan · · Score: 1

      And now an article about what makes Velveeta so darned delicious!!

      --
      The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
    4. Re:Longest video interview = wrong direction by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      I haven't watched a single video on slashdot. Where are the answers from the Ask Gosling we had recently? Was that a fake?

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  2. One of these things is not like the other... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    "We're responsible for some of the world's most popular mobile apps"

    "ABC Play School Art Maker for iPad, ABC Good Game for iPhone and ABC Foodi for iPad"

    Yes, follow these guys' advice and you'll be churning out AAA titles in no time!

    Captcha: "illusion"

    1. Re:One of these things is not like the other... by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      next week ios universal apps! and even longer video!

      if you don't have a bag of weed(or stolichnaya) you don't hear interesting shit from mobile developers anyways.
      sober pitching is so fucking boring.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  3. Names by Talderas · · Score: 2

    Paris Buttfield? Really? I'm supposed to take this article seriously?

    --
    "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
    1. Re:Names by sm3ggy · · Score: 1

      I feel the same way.

    2. Re:Names by AmazingRuss · · Score: 1

      I've met them... they're good guys... and yes, that is his real name.

    3. Re:Names by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      They haven't even published any games and the one that they are working on is some dinky little Flash game for a web site that is operated out of some guy's apartment.

      *I* have more development experience than these guys just from my old modding and mapping days.

    4. Re:Names by Minwee · · Score: 3, Funny

      Thanks for pointing that out, sm3ggy and Talderas.

    5. Re:Names by Mjec · · Score: 1

      Logged in to /. for the first time in years to say: +1 underrated

      --
      "But everyone should know everything." -markab
  4. mobile platform is dead by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    omg developing for mobiles is sooooooo 2012

  5. Holy long ad by heezer7 · · Score: 1

    65 seconds? I'll type this and close tab before it would be over.

  6. Hats by Silvrmane · · Score: 1

    I pretty much instantly lost interest when I saw the hats.

    --
    planet texture maps and more
    1. Re:Hats by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      DOUBLE FEDORA

    2. Re:Hats by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      If you are going to do a video pitch about software you need an attractive female. (Dudes+wierd hats+sitting) == straight to comments

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  7. Good to see Blues Traveler has found a new gig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Caus' the hooooook brings you baaaayuck. That you can reeeliiiiiiiii huh huh high on.

  8. A silly hat doesn't make you colorful. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See title.

  9. So secret by citizenr · · Score: 1

    I never heard of them. Those who can, do; those who can't, teach?

    --
    Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  10. Not only the longest interview... by sudden.zero · · Score: 1

    ...but proceeded with a really long forced commercial as well. I am really starting to hate Dice's version of Slashdot!!!!!

    1. Re:Not only the longest interview... by sudden.zero · · Score: 1

      stupid autocorrect..preceded!

  11. grasping at straws by SethJohnson · · Score: 1

    If these guys can't write great apps themselves, who is going to pay them for their valuable instruction? Very strange that they would pay for this slashvertisement knowing people would call them out on this.

    --
    $5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
  12. Hobart, Tasmania by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    - that's my wonderful town!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBAhG0FNqO0

  13. Great video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Interesting guys, they certainly know what they are talking about .
    Love the hats too.

    1. Re: Great video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Their names are cool too - original

  14. Title by RivenAleem · · Score: 1

    Sounds like something out of Zoolander.