Racing to Uncharted Waters: Stefano Casillo’s Odyssey from Assetto Corsa to Hydrofoil Generation

Gamerhub: Stefano, you’ve had quite the journey in the gaming industry, starting with your work on Assetto Corsa and now creating Hydrofoil Generation with your wife. Can you share some insights into your journey since 2001?

Stefano Casillo: Absolutely. My journey into game development has been quite the adventure. In the early 2000s, I was living and working in Tokyo, but I wasn’t satisfied with my managerial role. Around 2004, I co-founded Kunos Simulazioni with the idea of filling a gap in the market for racing simulators. It was a combination of factors, including the success of netKar, connecting with talented individuals like Marco Massarutto, Aris Vasilakos and later Simone Trevisiol and the influence of classic racing sims like Grand Prix Legends and Nascar from Papyrus that inspired me to take this leap.

I’ve always had a brute force approach to development, diving in headfirst and letting the game’s development guide us. Game development is an iterative process, and the game often tells you where it wants to go.

Gamerhub: It sounds like you’ve had quite a rollercoaster ride. Can you share some memorable and challenging moments during the development of Assetto Corsa, Netkar, and Hydrofoil Generation?

Stefano Casillo: For Netkar PRO, the launch was a disaster. We underestimated the challenges of releasing a commercial product after coming from a freeware background. It was a tough lesson, but it ultimately made us better developers.

With Assetto Corsa, the standout memory was the overwhelming positive response at Gamescom 2012. It was a moment of realization that we had something special. The challenge here was scrapping all the work from Netkar PRO and starting from scratch, a bold decision that paid off.

Hydrofoil Generation is special because it’s a project that’s truly “mine,” with my wife as the 3D artist. Fortunately, it had a smooth Early Access launch without the issues we faced with Netkar PRO.

Gamerhub: Your involvement with Assetto Corsa seems to have been a turning point. How did it influence your subsequent projects, like Assetto Corsa Competizione and Hydrofoil Generation?

Stefano Casillo: Assetto Corsa Competizione was driven by listening to our customers’ desires for more detailed racing simulations, including night and day cycles and dynamic weather. We took those requests to heart, and it shaped the game’s development.

For Hydrofoil Generation, I carried over the importance of keeping a clear target and making the game experience realistic. It’s an unexplored field, so I had to figure out how to represent the intricacies of hydrofoil sailing to players.

Gamerhub: Leaving Kunos Simulazioni and starting anew must have been a significant decision. What factors led to your departure, and what were your aspirations with Hydrofoil Generation?

Stefano Casillo: Leaving Kunos Simulazioni was mainly driven by a desire to return to coding and move away from a managerial role. The company had grown substantially, and I missed the hands-on development process. I felt that my work in racing simulators was complete, and my passion for coding was calling me.

Hydrofoil Generation presented an exciting opportunity in an uncharted territory. It allowed me to explore a new field and create something unique. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and the game is a labor of love.

Gamerhub: Assetto Corsa Competizione gained significant popularity among racing simulation enthusiasts. What design principles did you follow when developing it, and how did they carry over to Hydrofoil Generation?

Stefano Casillo: Assetto Corsa’s success was partially due to a customized engine that allowed a small team to deliver high-quality content efficiently. I applied a similar approach to Hydrofoil Generation, adapting the game and tools to streamline content creation for a small team of two. The goal was to keep everything smooth, stable, and performant for the final user.

Gamerhub: Working with your wife on Hydrofoil Generation must be a unique experience. How does your collaboration influence the creative and technical aspects of the game?

Stefano Casillo: Working with my wife has been fantastic because we share a passion for sailing racing. We constantly exchange ideas and thoughts about the game, and our separate roles in coding and graphics make the collaboration smooth. We don’t need to agree on every technical detail as long as the end result works.

Gamerhub: With your extensive experience, what advice would you give to aspiring game developers, especially in today’s rapidly evolving industry?

Stefano Casillo: It’s a challenging time for indie game developers due to the sheer volume of games being released. My advice is to enjoy the process, be open to solving problems your own way, and avoid falling for promises of quick progress. Find your unique approach and stay adaptable.

Gamerhub: Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations and goals for yourself and Hydrofoil Generation in the ever-evolving landscape of game development and technology?

Stefano Casillo: My hope is to continue making games for as long as I can. For Hydrofoil Generation, our short-term goal is to release version 1.0 by the end of September 2023 and continue updating and expanding the game. Who knows, maybe even consider a sequel down the line.

Gamerhub: That’s exciting to hear. Can you share the release date for Hydrofoil Generation and where interested players can purchase it?

Stefano Casillo: Hydrofoil Generation is available now on Steam. Players can purchase it at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1448820/Hydrofoil_Generation/