Advertisement

Retro game maker in driving seat

It's not often a company can look backwards to go forwards and still be considered an innovator.

But for Louis Roots, the 25-year-old director of game maker SK Games, it is what distinguishes his business from everyone else.

"I guess you could call us hand-made, custom arcade game makers," Mr Roots told _ WestBusiness _from his North Perth studio.

"It is not easy to explain at the conferences I go to . . . but as far as I'm aware I'm the only one doing this type of thing in the country."

Mr Roots is also one of only a handful of full-time game creators in Perth's small but dedicated gaming community.

Creating what can only be described as a modern hybrid of classic arcade-style games such as Space Invaders and the mobile games that suck in millions across the globe, SK Games builds its own unique games in a social arcade-style platform.

The company of six, which has been operating since September, has created six games so far, include a racing game inside an actual car and a four-player western-themed game projected onto a huge screen.

It plans to have about 10 available by the end of the year.

But Mr Roots said being based in Perth had made the journey that little bit tougher.

After completing a game design and culture degree at Edith Cowan University in 2011, Mr Roots could not find consistent work in WA.

He moved to Denmark, working with a mobile games company until his home town pulled him back.

"There are so many creative people in the gaming sector in Perth but not that many jobs," he said. "But I had this idea and I was lucky enough to gain some support (through) a family investment."

"I think it's important to try and create a scene here."