Rob Thompson, Co-Founder and COO of Ganymede Games – Interview Series

Ganymede Games, the brainchild of two former Riot Games and Wargaming developers, has just this moment launched a brand-new deck-building RPG—a game that aims to capture rich sci-fi storytelling with a dynamic and tailorable gameplay experience. The game, aptly titled Dark Sky, is now available on Steam, and therefore, if you are looking to indulge in some good old-fashioned fantasy this weekend, then you ought to give this some tender love and support.

To learn more about the recent developments in the Dark Sky universe, I recently spoke with Rob Thompson, co-founder and COO of Ganymede Games.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us! Before we delve into the specifics of your latest endeavor, please could you introduce yourself to our readers? Who are you, and what brought you to Ganymede Games?

Rob: Thank you for having me! I’m Rob Thompson, co-founder and COO of Ganymede Games. Before starting Ganymede, my co-founder Jerry Prochazka and I worked at Riot Games and Wargaming, where we led 3rd party publishing efforts. Working with hundreds of studios and titles fueled our passion to create a studio focused on story-driven RPGs and original IPs. We also wanted a location that supported our vision long-term, and after touring multiple cities and states, we chose Las Cruces, NM, where we benefit from a 35% annual film credit rebate, which helps us stay agile and take more creative risks.

Let’s open the book up on your recently released game, Dark Sky. Could you tell us a bit about how it all came together, as well as what inspired the idea to pivot into the deck-building and role-playing categories?

Rob: Dark Sky came together from our passion for RPGs and the realization that many players, including myself, don’t always have time for sprawling, epic-length games. We wanted to create an easy RPG to pick up and play but still offer deep characters, strategic gameplay, and meaningful decisions. The fusion with deck-building came from seeing how games like Slay the Spire brought fresh experiences to single-player card games. By blending deck-building with RPG elements, we could offer players a more accessible yet deeply customizable experience that fits into their busy lives while delivering rich storytelling and tactical choices.

You’ve spoken about a “planetary catastrophe” in recent elevator pitches. Could you tell us more about this event, as well as how our involvement in it has an influence on its natural progression?

Rob: The game starts with two main characters living their everyday lives when a sudden planetary gravity catastrophe disrupts everything. In Dark Sky, players gradually unravel the truth behind this event as they navigate its aftermath through exploration and combat. Classic disaster films inspired the disaster story hook, while the shipyard setting was influenced by my co-founder Jerry’s background as a former nuclear engineer. While the overarching story follows a set path, players’ decisions in combat and exploration shape how they experience the unfolding mystery and the challenges that arise from it.

Shifting over to the deck-building aspects of the game — could you tell us a bit about the types of cards that we’ll be able to collect, upgrade, and ultimately utilize to improve our overall build?

Rob: In Dark Sky, you'll collect and upgrade cards for six unique playable characters, each with distinct cards and playstyles. For instance, Squig is a defensive specialist, using abilities like protective barriers and holographic clones that serve as cover or turrets. Norton focuses on high-damage electric attacks, with the ability to supercharge his abilities for even more power. Agama is fast and precise, constantly repositioning to strike the right moment. Each card can be upgraded through four paths inspired by the board game Mystic Vale, allowing for deep customization. Beyond upgrading individual cards, you'll need to synergize the best party of characters to take on any challenge, ensuring their abilities complement each other for the most effective strategy.

We’re suckers for a few tips and tricks. If you’re willing to share, please could you provide us with a few pointers on how to develop that “perfect” strategy? Are there any dos or don’ts that might benefit us during our travels?

Rob: Whether you're new to Dark Sky or already playing, here are a few tips to help you develop the perfect strategy. First, always check enemy weaknesses and immunities before attacking to ensure you're using the most effective tactics. Storing multiple decks is a great way to adapt quickly to different challenges, so feel free to switch things up. Take advantage of swapping upgrades freely and inspect the enemy’s next move to avoid strong attacks. Lastly, monitor Tier 2 upgrades—they're crucial for planning your build and maximizing your team's potential.

For more tips, check out our latest Steam blog, “5 Easy Tips for Dark Sky.”

Presumably, Dark Sky is eating up your fourth quarter. Nevertheless, we would love to know if there are any other projects that you’re looking to explore over the coming months. Care to shed light on any potential ideas or collaborations?

Rob: Currently, our priority is patching and updating Dark Sky to ensure players have the best possible experience. Once that's in a good place, which we anticipate will be the end of October, we'll turn our attention to our second game, which will also be set in the Dark Sky universe. While we’re not ready to reveal too much, I can share that this new project will build on everything we've learned from our first game and take things to a much more ambitious level regarding scope and gameplay.

Dark Sky is AVAILABLE NOW! 🚀

Thank you to everyone for your support!

Assemble your party, customize your decks, and unravel the mystery behind a planetary catastrophe!

Get it here ⬇️https://t.co/T2IvIuHn4h pic.twitter.com/4sojGk1jRr

— Dark Sky (@darksky_play) September 24, 2024

Suffice it to say, we want to keep Dark Sky on our radars. Please could you let us know where we might be able to source some more information on the game and any possible future updates? Are there any social channels, streams, or newsletters that we could share with our audience?

Rob: To stay updated with Dark Sky, you can wishlist the game on Steam, ensuring you get all the latest updates. We also encourage you to follow us on X for announcements and news. Join our Discord community to discuss strategies, share tips, and chat directly with the devs!

Is there anything you would like to add for our readers?

Rob: I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible players, Kickstarter backers, the Dark Sky development team, our Ganymede investors, and Midwest Games. Your dedication and support have been essential in bringing this project to life, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Thanks again, and best of luck with Dark Sky!

Rob: Thank you for the opportunity to share our story!

You can follow Ganymede Games’ Dark Sky on X/Twitter for more information and post-launch coverage here. You can also add the game to your wishlist on Steam here.