Upcoming Indie Game Preview: Ascent Rivals ft. Michael Yagi Summary In this episode of the Single Player Experience podcast, host Sebastion Mauldin interviews Michael Yagi, one of the key developers of the game Ascent Rivals. They discuss the inspiration behind the game, its unique gameplay mechanics, and the vision of creating a competitive and spectator-friendly experience. The game is described as a high-speed racing and shooting hybrid, with elements of Star Wars Pod Racing, Mad Max, and Hunger Games. The studio behind the game, Genuine Games, aims to bring innovation to the racing genre and create a game that is easy to watch and fun to play. They also discuss the studio's focus on high-quality visuals and the future plans for the game, including spectator interaction and esports integration. Ascent Rivals is a competitive esports game with a high skill ceiling. The game allows players to perform unique drifting maneuvers and offers a time trial challenge for the community. The development team consists of two core developers, a designer, and an artist, with additional support from others. Michael Yagi, the designer, got into games through esports and competitive gaming. He enjoys playing League of Legends and Brawl Stars. The game has received feedback about the onboarding experience and the difficulty of turning right. The community is highly valued, and the team is focused on creating a competitive and engaging experience for players. Takeaways Ascent Rivals is a high-speed racing and shooting hybrid game inspired by Star Wars Pod Racing, Mad Max, and Hunger Games.The game features a unique control scheme where each stick controls each engine, creating a tank-like driving experience.The studio, Genuine Games, aims to bring innovation to the racing genre and create a game that is easy to watch and fun to play.The game has a strong focus on high-quality visuals and is constantly evolving and improving.The studio plans to integrate spectator interaction, esports features, and sponsorships to enhance the competitive experience. Ascent Rivals is a competitive esports game with a high skill ceiling and unique drifting mechanics.The development team consists of two core developers, a designer, and an artist, with additional support from others.Michael Yagi, the designer, got into games through esports and competitive gaming.The game has received feedback about the onboarding experience and the difficulty of turning right.The community is highly valued, and the team is focused on creating a competitive and engaging experience for players. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background06:48 The Unique Gameplay of Ascent Rivals10:30 The Racing Mode and Objective of Ascent Rivals12:41 Innovation in the Racing Genre26:10 Spectator Interaction and Future Plans29:15 Mastering the Skill Ceiling31:38 The Role of the Community34:11 The Development Team36:37 Michael's Gaming Background37:42 Playing Games Outside of Ascent Rivals39:53 Underrated Games and TV Shows43:52 Ascent Rivals: For Competitive Gamers and Spectators45:02 Feedback and Improvements47:36 Looking Forward to Future Games