M64 Focus | Benjamin Lochmann (CEO of Pixel Maniacs)

Benjamin Lochmann: (CEO of Pixel Maniacs)

Name/Known Alias: Benjamin Lochmann.

Occupation: CEO of Pixel Maniacs.

Best Known for/Notable Works: ChromaGun and Can’t Drive This.

Fun Fact: I was Unreal Tournament 2001, Platz 21.

How did you make your break into the industry: We started with mobile apps. But after we took part in the Ludum Dare,and developed the prototype for ChromaGun, we switched to games after realising how fun it is to make them. After passing a two week Steam greenlight campaign, we started our journey into the business.

Favourite Projects to have Worked on: Can’t Drive This.

Hardest Projects to have Worked on: Escape the Loop. We couldn’t find a publisher

Currently Working on: ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard.

Currently Playing: CS:GO, Starcraft 2, and trying lots of indie games.

Currently Watching: Rewatching Big Bang Theory.

Defining Career Moment: Starting in the console business. Was really defining.

Throughout your career, of the many things you have since learned, is there anything you wish you knew at the beginning: I wish I had known how hard the games business is.I wish I knew before, but it wouldn’t have made me decide differently. We entered the business with rose tinted glasses. I’m not sure if that wasn’t maybe a good thing; don’t know if we would have started making games if we hadn’t.

If you had the opportunity to work with any IP, what would it be: I think working on an IP is very difficult, and I’m not sure how into it I would really be. Especially in my position, the team management would be so much more difficult. I also just think having that creative freedom is really nice.

Is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet, but would like to: Yes, a lot. Lots of marketing experts. My job is very marketing focused – and I do work with them a lot, but it usually isn’t more than chatting. But I’d really like to work with more experts with tons of experience.

For fans of your work, who’d like to get in touch and stay up to date with all the latest news, what are the best places for them to reach you on: LinkedIn.