Interview with SkisoSoft, developers behind two of the App Store’s leading transport simulation games
SkisoSoft are the developers behind two of the App Store’s leading transport simulation games, with over 21 million downloads across platforms on their leading title Public Transport Simulator alone. Back in 2015 we had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive interview with the developers, Imre Paadik and team, discussing their plans for the future and so far triumphant success. As the company expands and SkisoSoft further establish themselves as one of the favourites amongst the transport simulation community, we’re back for round two to hear how their portfolio has grown and to gain an insight into the teams outlook on the future.
While Public Transport Simulator wasn’t SkisoSoft’s first App Store release, it was the company’s first taste of building a transport simulation game for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The game allows users to choose one of many buses to transport passengers around the city, to jump in as a taxi driver and give a lift to clients waving their hands around town or to simply speed around in their own sports car. The game has evolved since it’s initial launch, with players now able to build their own custom bus routes, explore new territories and jump behind the wheel of many new vehicles.
Launching last October, SkisoSoft’s latest release is Cargo Transport Simulator, a multi platform haulage application which builds from the success of Public Transport Simulator. The game offers users an in-app map which would take an hour to fully explore without any pesky loading screens or buffering delays which many competing truck driving applications rely upon. Cargo Transport Simulator allows players to build their own trucking company, with monthly updates with new content and vehicles alongside competitive online challenges and a lively traffic system.
Looking back on our previous interview which focused specifically on Public Transport Simulator, how has the app grown since then and what has been the biggest achievement over this time?
We are really happy how Public Transport Simulator (PTS) has performed over the past 2 years, downloads have grown from 5 million to 21 million, and we have a stable player-count everyday. There has been up’s and down’s, however overall we are very pleased with PTS performance and are really happy people like to play it. We have added 18 new vehicles, new levels to the game and at the same time reduced game size by 30% which is something I think is really remarkable. In total we now have 25 buses and I believe our game has the largest bus collection out there.
When SkisoSoft last spoke with The Apple Post you were working on Cargo Transport Simulator which has now launched onto the App Store. How has the initial launch been for the application and what has the reaction been like with your fans?
Development of Cargo Transport Simulator (CTS) took much longer than we anticipated as we wanted to continue to make updates to Public Transport Simulator every month to keep our dedicated fans happy and because of that, we had to split our development time. The app launched in October 2016 and downloads at launch were great. While developing Cargo Transport Simulator we made the decision to create an online only game, so that everything is tracked and generated in server real time, giving us direct control over what is happening so that we can see exactly how the game is being played. This allows us to make updates to the game on the server side (add new cargo types, competitions, free in app product promotions, cross platform saving, etc.).
Some of our players have shown a dislike to the “online” only idea and we understand that as there isn’t always a Wi-Fi or Internet connection available. We listen to all the comments our users send to us and are still thinking how we can bring an “offline” mode to the game. Overall the reaction to Cargo Transport Simulator has been positive, we have a stable number of downloads month to month and continue to work on improving the game for the benefit of our players.
Since you now have your third application on the iOS App Store, what’s next for SkisoSoft? Is your focus on developing new applications or maintaining the three which you already have available?
We’d have to say that our focus is on making stable updates to Public Transport Simulator and Cargo Transport Simulator, it’s important for us to keep our players happy, however; saying that we do however have ideas on the table for new games which we would like to develop in the near future, with a sequel to Public Transport Simulator on the cards.
Tell me more about Cargo Transport Simulator ; what sets you apart from any other similar cargo simulators on the App Store? – Do you have any exclusive information you can share with us about future updates and new features?
I think Cargo Transport Simulator is the only haulage game in the App Store which has one large seamless world, without any loading or buffering screens. In real time it would take a player around an hour to drive around the full map using maximum speed. One of our plans for Cargo Transport Simulator is to expand our map even more; we imagine one seamless world where you can drive from Berlin to Paris and from Paris to Porto and from Porto to Brazil using either a boat or ferry!
We also have plans to allow players to add advanced customisation options to their truck such as number plates and axle configurations as well as customisable garages and decorations.
Nonstop Basketball Action was SkisoSoft’s first iOS application. It’s been quite a while since that application saw an update; do you have any plans to enhance the app or has your focus now turned solely on transport simulators?
Nonstop Basketball Action was our first mobile app, we learnt a lot from the development of the game and we are really close to creating a fresh start for this title as it’s not available on the Android Play store at this time. We have some ideas how to make this game better and easier to play as well as plans to restructure the menu system and progression, as well as time set aside to reduce the amount of character items and make it easier to use and clearer to understand what functions do what.
We have to admit that we have a lot of experience with open world driving games and it’s more easy to use this knowledge we have to create more similar games but, we don’t always look for the easy route and enjoy a challenge.