[Industry Interviews] Amanda Gardner: The Deep End Games & Perception

Perception focuses on Cassie Thornton, a blind woman traversing the Estate at Echo Bluff in Gloucester, MA for answers to her recent nightmares. Although Cassie arrives at the Estate for her own reasons, she soon realizes that the inhabitants, spanning many generations, will come to rely on her abilities to unlock the mysteries that had befallen them.  Cassie is able to understand the memories imprinted onto objects, called Touchstones, use a Delphi text to speech app, locate audio logs, and tap her cane to produce an echolocation of her surroundings. This last ability draws the game’s antagonist, The Presence, to her. If you haven’t hidden under the covers yet, or even if you have, go to the eShop and download this title today.

The Estate at Echo Bluff

Amanda, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak with you about your background, The Deep End Games, and Perception.

Having spent over a decade teaching advanced level high school English, it comes as no surprise to learn you were the writer behind this gripping tale. However, what inspired you growing up to pursue a career in teaching and writing?

I used to edit my friends’ essays for fun! Haha. Seriously, I’ve always been a storyteller – when I was in third grade, I used to come up with plays based on my favorite TV shows for my friends to act out. I read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in first grade. NERD ALERT! I’ve always been into a good story, whether it be in books or in games, so I really thought teaching was the right fit. Then, once I had children, I started flexing my fiction muscles and writing books. With Bill’s background in AAA games, it all came together with Perception!

Did you ever think you would be writing a story for a video game?

I knew I’d be writing stories, but I didn’t consider games until Bill brought it up to me. I mean, it’s a natural fit, but I was sort of entrenched in the novel thing until Perception. I still do write books, but man, writing games is so different and exciting! I can rely on the environment for storytelling, and I need to be concise about my dialogue!

How has that experience been for you?

It’s been a wonderful learning experience. Bill knows so much about narrative games and immersive storytelling from the BioShock series, so I had a great teacher in that respect, but with my decade plus in the classroom, I was able to bring a hint of classic literature to the game. That was really fun for me.

You and your husband, Bill, who is no stranger to the video game industry, formed The Deep End Games. Previously Bill had worked as Level Designer, Lead Designer, Design Director, and User Experience Specialist for Irrational Games on titles such as SWAT 4, BioShock, and BioShock Infinite.

Can you speak to Bill’s experience between moving from an employee of Irrational Games to forming The Deep End Games alongside you?

It was exciting but scary. I had quit teaching to stay home with our kids and write books when the studio closed, so we had a few months where we had to have the “what do we do?” conversation. It wasn’t easy, but Bill and I worked so well together that things just came together for Perception and, despite it being the hard thing to do, we made it happen.

What has it been like to work together on a project with your husband?

Good, but the work-life balance thing was a bit challenging! The lines were blurred – family time, work time, marriage time, it was all together. We’d go on a much-deserved date and end up workshopping a scene, you know? We’d go to a soccer game for one of the boys and discuss a scare. It was immersive.

The third component of bringing Perception to life was the Audio. With Cassie having to rely on her hearing to navigate the estate, we could think of no one greater than Jim Bonney to lead the way work on this project. Having also been in the gaming industry for many years, Jim brings much experience as an Audio and Music Director.

Can you speak to Jim’s experience while working on this project and the talent he brought?

Jim is AMAZING. In fact, when Bill was conceptualizing the project, he didn’t blink before he blurted “Jim Bonney” as being the first person to contact. Jim is brilliant and he really brought the sounds in the game to the next level. Love him!

Technology continues to advance and Perception, which we will get into in a bit, helps to push the boundaries of gameplay even further. You’ve touched upon in past interviews the extensive amount of research into blindness and echolocation. You even had the opportunity to meet with Daniel Kish, a famous echolocater and head of World Access for the Blind.

Did your meeting with Daniel change the way you had previously viewed echolocation?

Daniel solidified and amplified our research in a way we didn’t think possible. He’s so adept, so brilliant, and just so amazing. It was inspirational and really moving just to spend time with him.

Moving onto Perception, this game was originally launched as a Kickstarter in 2015. It was met with success and even exceeded the original goal.

During your Kickstarter run, what were the feelings you both had as you continued to see support for your debut title?

It was scary and exciting. Every day was a new challenge, and new excitement and information. Really overwhelming! I was happy when it was over, as I was 8 months pregnant and stressed, but wow, it gave us a wonderful community and friends we still have contact with.

Additionally, once the game began being previewed all the way to releasing on various consoles, how have you and Bill handled the excitement?

The Switch had us jumping for joy(con)! Haha. Bill and I are Nintendo FREAKS, as are our children, so this was the biggest honor for us, obviously. We even went as a “Smash Brothers Family” one Halloween. We LOVE Nintendo!

At the Switch Effect, we obviously are big fans of the new Nintendo Switch.

What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Switch?

It’s an AMAZING console! We love the portability of it, the games for it are top notch, and it’s nothing short of Nintendo perfection!

For those who have previously played Perception or are joining Cassie on her adventure for the first time, will be pleased to know that the Switch version has been remastered. From newly recorded lines, to new audio, reworked gameplay, and achievement trophies, there is much to be excited about as you navigate the Estate at Echo Bluff.

Were there any challenges that were unexpected?

Not really.

Having children of our own, many at The Switch Effect understand the importance of a healthy work/life balance. How have you and Bill handled the enormous responsibilities of developing your own game in conjunction to raising FOUR kids?

It. Was. Hard. Especially having TWO production babies, one after another! It multiplied the stress x1000 because we weren’t sleeping well, and I was under a lot of physical stress during the pregnancies. But they are what’s most important, and we do what we do for them. When things get tough, we reminded ourselves that we are making this game for their future and for us to be able to be with them.

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for having us and please check out Perception on the Switch!

Thank you as well for taking the time to allow us this peek behind the curtain. Additionally, if you’d like to learn even more about Amanda and Bill’s journey, Gameumentary put together The Story of Perception & The Deep End Games Documentary, that is available by clicking below.

Perception is now available to purchase on the eShop and is one game that needs to be on your Switch today!