The original Gedonia emerged as a standout RPG that won praise from genre enthusiasts for its distinctive approach. Notably, the project was conceived, designed, and completed by a single developer, Oleg Kazakov. As plans for a sequel unfold, attention has turned to how the creator approached the first game and what lies ahead. This conversation recounts the development of Gedonia and looks ahead to Gedonia 2.
In a nutshell about the first Gedonia
The first Gedonia entered early access on June 1, 2020, and reached a full release in October 2022. Built on the Unity engine, its visuals lean into a nostalgic, retro style, yet it packs contemporary RPG mechanics: a sprawling open world, character progression, eight factions, and the freedom to craft a personal home. The title has sold well into the hundreds of thousands of copies and enjoys a favorable reception on Steam, with a positive review rating around 89 percent.
In September 2023, Gedonia 2 was announced. Although the original was the product of a lone developer, the sequel is being built by a small team of six people.
Have you played the original Gedonia?
Interview with Oleg Kazakov
Interviewer: Starting with the first game, RPGs are usually built by large studios with hundreds of people. You created Gedonia solo. What drove you to take on such a challenging project?
Oleg Kazakov: He uses a personal development method that keeps big projects moving forward step by step. He sees each project as a sequence of logical milestones that lead to completion.
Interviewer: Which RPGs influenced the creation of the first Gedonia?
Oleg Kazakov: He drew inspiration from classic RPG lineages and from World of Warcraft. Notably, Fallout 1 and 2 served as early touchstones. For the sequel, he aims to elevate the game’s elements to a new level, while weaving in ideas seen in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Other Game Interviews
Interviewer: Some readers noted comparisons to The Legend of Zelda, especially Breath of the Wild, when looking at Gedonia’s look. Do you think these games feel similar or are they distinct in gameplay?
Oleg Kazakov: The gameplay diverges; the visual aesthetic is the common thread. It seems people focus on the graphics, not the underlying systems.
Interviewer: What major changes should players expect in the second installment?
Oleg Kazakov: The standout feature is co-op, increasing from two players to four per server. Availability of players influences difficulty; more players means more enemies.
Full voice acting will accompany every character, and quests will be longer, more branching, and deeper. The player’s choices will sway the game’s world, including entering faction wars, backing one faction and undermining another. Taking control of entire zones will yield extra bonuses.
Interviewer: Will the party members possess synergies that players can use in cooperative play?
Oleg Kazakov: The plan includes a rich leveling system with 12 skill branches. Some branches focus on close combat, ranged combat, and stealth. A separate branch centers on music, enabling a bard role to bolster the party’s abilities.
Interviewer: Are neural networks involved in Gedonia 2’s development?
Oleg Kazakov: They help visualize ideas quickly. Artists can draft where to go or find inspiration with such tools. Yet in the game itself, everything is done by hand. Likewise with ChatGPT—some ideas may be explored with AI, but they are refined and realized under personal oversight before being implemented in the game.
Interviewer: Will Gedonia 2 debut in early access like its predecessor, or will there be a full release upfront?
Oleg Kazakov: No firm decision yet. Most likely early access, with a final release date announced closer to launch, possibly toward the end of the year.
Interviewer: Is a 2025 release window on the table?
Oleg Kazakov: Yes, that is the plan.
Interviewer: Thanks for the chat. Best of luck, and see you soon.
Are readers excited for Gedonia 2, or do they have other projects in mind? Share thoughts and reactions below.