To science fiction fans, PJ Haarsma is the author of The Softwire, a popular book series about orphaned children who become the slaves of alien “Citizens” on Orbis, an artificial alien world.
But to 12,000 online gaming fans from 25 countries, Haarsma is also the video game designer of The Rings of Orbis, a website that offers free role playing computer games based on his books and allows gamers to explore Orbis through stunning video game art, computer games, and online chats with Haarsma.
Suite 101 conducted an April 16, 2009 phone interview with Haarsma who talked about The Rings of Orbis and his future plans for kids computer games.
Sci Fi Role Playing Computer Games
S101: What can you tell us about The Rings of Orbis?
Haarsma: The Rings of Orbis is a real-time life systems management computer game where you become a Citizen on Orbis.
As a Citizen, you’re actually the bad guy. You’re going to get knudniks – alien slaves – and build your empire on their backs. That includes trading with other players, establishing an economic base, and building your work force. It’s very time-consuming and knowledge of the [ Softwire] books enhances the experience because it gives you a backdrop for these visuals.
What’s great about Rings of Orbis is you can play it anywhere. You don’t have to download anything, you don’t need a console – you can get to it anytime you’re on the web.
Learning Video Game Design
S101: How challenging was it to learn video game design and make a video game like this?
Haarsma: Well I already had the story, so I had one of the toughest parts done. When it came to the page design, I’d learned enough where I was starting to build the pages, but I couldn’t do the AI code so I hired a guy to work with me full time, Nedim Secibovic. I’d design the pages and he’d make them function with the database, and that’s the system we’ve used nonstop for four years.
S101: What books did you read to learn video game design?
Haarsma: Well all the code books on Dreamweaver and Flash. And there are books about the thinking behind a game like Designing Virtual Worlds, Massively Multi Player Design, Rules of Play, Game Interface Design, and The Theory of Fun.
Video Game Art
S101: Who provides the video game art for your computer game?
Haarsma: I do all the designs – the interfaces and buttons, I use Zbrush – that’s a 3-D program – and Photoshop and I do the animation through After Effects.
We hired character and background artists – Stephan Martinere who did the concept design for the last two Star Wars films. Igor Knezevic does a lot for us – he won the World 3-D Award. My wife Marisa Grieco does all the art gallery images that are traded by aliens and all the collectable cards. We really put a lot of emphasis on the art.
New Role Playing Computer Games
S101: You’re adding new computer games with Orbis 2. What can players expect with these new games?
Haarsma: With Orbis 2, people will be able to collect and design spaceships. There’s going to be able to purchase alien cells, grow their own Softwires and train them into Space Jumpers. You’ll be able to get jobs with spaceships – so if you don’t want to have knudnik slaves, you don’t have to.
Science Fiction Book Series Meets Online Gaming
S101: How closely do the stories in your Softwire series relate to your computer game?
Haarsma: We’re exploring every aspect of the books in the game and adding deeper elements to expand the storyline. I’ve caught myself going to the game and grabbing stuff for the books as I write them, even though the books were created first. Now the two are feeding off each other.
Play games, engage in live chat, and become part of an online community at The Rings of Orbis.
And learn more about PJ Haarsma’s career as a science fiction author and thoughts on book marketing at Young Adult Writer Excites Readers About Sci Fi and Children’s Book Marketing for Online Kids.
Michael Jung - Michael Jung is a professional writer, children’s literature specialist, and online book dealer whose articles, reviews, interviews, ...
Join the Conversation