In today’s ‘Meet the Members’ blogpost we talk to Deloryan Hommers from Studio Deloryan.
Are you a member, and would you also like to be featured? Great! Send an email to marlies@dutchgamesassociation.nl and we’ll send you our questions.
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Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your company and your position in the company
Hi, I’m Deloryan Hommers, CEO and founder of Studio Deloryan. My journey into the gaming industry began during my studies of Communication and Multimedia Design. Around that time, I was inspired to create something unique – a horse game targeting adults, stepping away from the typical children’s games like Barbie or My Little Pony. This inspiration stemmed from my own experiences. As a child, I spent countless hours surrounded by horses at my aunt’s farm. When I grew older my aunt moved away, and with the high costs and a lack of time due to my studies, I lost the opportunity to pursue this passion. This personal history sparked the creation of Horse Reality, allowing players to experience the joy of horse ownership in a digital setting.
After years of development and incorporating feedback from beta testers, we launched in October 2018, so it’s been a little over five years now. Starting with minimal knowledge of the game industry, I’ve grown a team of more than 10 amazing people, mostly women, a lot of them from our game’s community! We’re based in Utrecht at the Dutch Game Garden, but our team works mostly remotely, bringing diverse perspectives from all around the globe. Besides The Netherlands, we also have team members in the UK, Poland, Germany, Denmark and Belgium!
We would love to see (or hear) some of your work! Please show us some examples of your recent projects.
We’ve created Horse Reality, which is more than just a project for us. It’s been an incredible journey and a true labour of love. The development began back in early 2012 during my studies, and in October 2018 we launched Horse Reality as our first game. Now with a thriving community of around 50,000 monthly active players!
At its heart, Horse Reality is a deep dive into the world of horse breeding, but with a twist that sets it apart from other pet simulation games. The aspect our players love most is the focus on realistic genetics. Most games of this genre work only with randomness, whereas we also include strategy and knowledge.
Players get deeply involved in breeding horses for specific colours, traits, and conformation, mirroring real-world genetics wherever possible. It’s been a wild ride developing Horse Reality, with lots of ups and downs, but seeing our community’s passion, especially their incredible breeding strategies and spreadsheets, makes it all worth it.
But it’s not just about genetics. Horse Reality is also visually captivating. We take pride in our stunning horse artworks that bring each breed to life. Our amazing equine artists draw them with exquisite detail. This visual appeal, coupled with the strategic gameplay, creates a unique experience. Our players aren’t just playing a game; they’re part of a vibrant community full of horse enthusiasts.
Don’t just take our word for it – experience the beauty and depth of Horse Reality for yourself! Play our game here or take a peek at what we’ve created:
How long have you been a DGA member and what is your main reason for joining? What can DGA do to help your company?
I think we’ve been part of the DGA since around 2019-ish. For a new studio like ours, joining was quite a no-brainer. To us, it’s about connecting and learning from others, while at the same time getting your foot in the industry. We want to grow the studio and make an impact, so that is highly valuable for us! I think for us one of the biggest benefits from being a DGA member is the networking and industry knowledge you gain. And don’t even get me started on all the discounts! As a true Dutchie, I love me a good discount 🙂
What ambitions/plans do you have for your company?
Our next big step is scaling up our team. We’re on the hunt for a COO and several developers. We’ve worked with external teams so far, but with the unique elements of our game, like the color genetics, we feel it’s time to bring these skills in-house. Thanks to a recent boost from ForsVC, we’re well on our way to set up our own development team. If reading through this interview got you interested in joining us, please check out our open positions!
We won’t just be focussing on the game’s backend to support growth and expansion to new platforms this year though! Starting in this last quarter of 2023, we’re also looking more seriously to boost Studio Deloryan’s presence. In previous years we primarily focused on getting Horse Reality on the map, not focusing on our studio’s brand. As of now we want to change this. We’ve got a unique story as a female-led team in an industry that’s primarily male-dominated. It’s about time to put our brand and story out there and shake things up a bit! Studio Deloryan isn’t just about making games; it’s about creating a diverse and inclusive space in the game world. So, watch this space – we’re just getting started!
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Absolutely! One thing that I am passionate about is cultivating a workspace that’s not only creative but also genuinely inclusive. I believe we in the game industry have the power to set the bar high, showing how diverse and vibrant our work environments can be. For me, leading isn’t just about steering the ship; it’s about being part of the crew, constantly learning, adapting, and finding new ways to make Studio Deloryan even better. I’m always all ears for new ideas and feedback from my team, because without them I would have never gotten this far! Their insights are invaluable to me. As we grow as a studio, nurturing this kind of culture is key. We’re not just building games; we’re building a community within our studio, one where everyone feels valued and heard.
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Thank you, Deloryan!
Are you a member, and would you also like to be featured? Great! Send an email to marlies@dutchgamesassociation.nl and we’ll send you our questions.