700 hours into UFO 50 Tonda Ros’s favorite game
From the world of cutting-edge game development comes a fascinating look at how deeply personal, nostalgic, and profoundly artistic the world of PC gaming can be. We often focus on the final product, but sometimes the true magic lies in the journey—the unique blend of design philosophy, personal history, and sheer joy that fuels it.
For Tonda Ros, the journey began early, steeped in the action of classic titles like Beast. That foundational love for complex, non-linear action quickly led to a fascination with the potential of the PC, opening the floodgates to classics like Tank Wars, SimCity” target=”blank”>SimCity, and Star Control.
As Ros established a career as a cinematographer and visual artist, the focus shifted to creation. In 2016, he began crafting Blue Prince. Inspired by the atmospheric depth of games like Myst” target=”blank”>Myst, classic board game logic like Jewels in the Attic, and the demanding nature of puzzles like Maze: Solve the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle, the development of Blue Prince was a decade-long, meticulous endeavor that quickly became a modern puzzling classic.
Even after the launch, Ros continued to explore the boundaries of game design. He immersed himself in the world of locomotion with Cairn, a gorgeous rock-climbing simulator where controls are remarkably simple and intuitive. The mechanics of moving each limb sequentially felt frictionless, drawing fascinating parallels to earlier games like Baby Steps, demonstrating how similar concepts can yield entirely unique experiences.
This journey through game design naturally led to exploring the past. Ros’s installed library is a testament to enduring appeal, holding the venerable 1993 title Myst” target=”blank”>Myst. This game, with its serene atmosphere and immersive graphical world, remains a touchstone, a deep familiarity that transcends time.
Beyond his professional work, Ros finds immense satisfaction in pure, unadulterated gameplay. His hours are measured in deep dives into games like UFO 50, a collection of 50 games that clocks in nearly 700 hours, and the charming narrative of Minnie and Max. These experiences highlight a passion for design that values depth, whether it’s in intricate puzzle environments or the subtle mechanics of movement.
When it comes to software, Ros relies on the tools he knows best, with Adobe Photoshop serving as the foundation for all his visual endeavors, from game graphics to web design. Yet, even in a busy professional life, he maintains a carefully curated space. While his primary workstation is often a whirlwind of development software, his dedicated gaming setup is pristine, a clean environment reserved only for the games he plays. This contrast is perhaps best embodied by his personal touch: a quiet, devoted pet rabbit who seems to find pure joy in the simple rhythm of music, especially the opening notes of a familiar tune.
Tonda Ros’s experience reminds us that the most compelling games are those that weave together technical skill, artistic vision, and a lifelong, evolving curiosity. They are a reminder that whether you are designing a world, climbing a virtual rock face, or simply watching the clouds drift by, the pursuit of an engaging experience is what truly matters.
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