Rivals of Aether with Dan Fornace - Software Engineering Daily Recap

Podcast: Software Engineering Daily

Published: 2025-12-16

Duration: 45 min

Guests: Dan Fornace

Summary

Dan Fornace, game director at Aether Studios, discusses the development of Rivals of Aether, an indie fighting game inspired by Super Smash Bros, and its sequel. The conversation covers game mechanics, design philosophies, and the technical challenges of game development.

What Happened

Dan Fornace, the game director at Aether Studios, discusses the development journey of Rivals of Aether and its sequel. Inspired by Super Smash Bros, these indie fighting games emphasize competitive balance and skillful movement, appealing to both casual and competitive players. Fornace shares his early influences, growing up without consoles but with a passion for DOS games, which eventually led him into game development.

The episode delves into the mechanics of platform fighters, a sub-genre of fighting games, and how Rivals of Aether differentiates itself with elements like wave dashing. These mechanics, originally unintended features in games like Super Smash Bros, are intentionally incorporated into Rivals to enhance accessibility and depth.

Fornace explains his transition from solo game development to managing a team at Aether Studios. The studio has grown significantly, now employing around 20-25 people, focusing on both game development and community-building tools like the replay editor.

There is a focus on balancing the game's competitive and casual aspects, aiming to make every character viable for tournament play. This philosophy contrasts with some traditional fighting games where certain characters are intentionally stronger or weaker.

The technical challenges of developing Rivals of Aether II are highlighted, including the shift from 2D to 3D graphics and building custom tools to ensure smooth gameplay, especially for competitive players.

Fornace also discusses how the studio plans to expand the game's community through features like Steam Workshop, which allows for user-generated content, adding longevity to the game.

The episode concludes with insights into Fornace's management style, balancing the creative and technical aspects of game development while fostering a collaborative team environment.

Key Insights

• Rivals of Aether incorporates wave dashing, a mechanic originally unintended in Super Smash Bros, to enhance both accessibility and depth in gameplay, making it appealing to a wide range of players.
• Aether Studios has expanded to employ around 20-25 people, transitioning from solo development to a team-focused approach, which includes creating community-building tools like a replay editor.
• The development of Rivals of Aether II involves significant technical challenges, including the transition from 2D to 3D graphics and the creation of custom tools to ensure smooth gameplay for competitive players.
• Steam Workshop integration is planned for Rivals of Aether II, allowing for user-generated content that can extend the game's longevity and expand its community.