Sacred Symbols+, Episode 130: Techland, Dying Light, and Something Uniquely Polish
Added 2021-10-19 16:01:03 +0000 UTCIn 2015, an open world zombie game called Dying Light came to PlayStation 4, and as unassuming as it seemed at first, it would go on to become one of the console's best AAA third-party experiences, full-stop. Better yet, in early 2022, its long-awaited sequel finally -- finally! -- launches on PS4 and PS5. As a big fan of Dying Light, I (Colin) have always wanted to talk to someone at Techland about their studio, projects, culture, and success, and I've found my man: Bartosz Kulon. Kulon was Lead Programmer on both Dead Island (from 2011) and Dying Light, and he's been toiling away on Dying Light 2 ever since. Our conversation is a fun one, and it's wide-ranging, too. We discuss Kulon's interesting origins in the industry and how he came to Techland. We also talk about the development of Dead Island and Dying Light, the unexpected and meteoric success of both, self-funding projects as opposed to working with a publisher, the special sauce of Polish game development, the game-centric benefits of Soviet-style education, and so much more. You're gonna love this one. I know it.
Comments
Thx π did my best π
gloVA
2021-10-30 16:32:44 +0000 UTCThis episode is my favorite, this guy was so great, amazing episode :)
Dylan Praesto
2021-10-30 11:56:56 +0000 UTCThanks for listening!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-26 22:33:04 +0000 UTCThx man π
gloVA
2021-10-26 18:09:01 +0000 UTCDying Light is one of my favorite games and this episode was an absolute treat to listen to! Thanks for coming up with such great ideas for SS+ episodes!
Jack
2021-10-26 14:54:48 +0000 UTCHow awesome is that guy!!! great episode!!
Richard Court
2021-10-26 14:15:21 +0000 UTCThx, to be fair I was a bit afraid about this aspect, but Colin is such an amazing interviewer that I have forgotten about it after first 3 minutes of the show π
gloVA
2021-10-26 07:36:05 +0000 UTCLife wrote that story π trust me live (when it was happening) it wasnβt that funny π
gloVA
2021-10-26 07:31:19 +0000 UTCAwesome, I can't wait as well!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:26:02 +0000 UTCThank you so much.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:25:55 +0000 UTCIt could take me out of my comfort zone if the person isn't a good English speaker, but I've found that people confident enough to talk to a native English speaker (particularly on video or audio) are confident for a reason. In short: He has better command of English than many Americans. =) Thank you for your kind words!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:25:48 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:25:02 +0000 UTCGlad to hear that. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:52 +0000 UTCMe too!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:47 +0000 UTC<3
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:43 +0000 UTCVery endearing, indeed. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:40 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:33 +0000 UTCI'd like that, too. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:29 +0000 UTCYou should be!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:23 +0000 UTCAwesome. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:16 +0000 UTCGlad it was inspiring for you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-25 21:24:12 +0000 UTCDying light was on Sale on PC a couple weeks ago and I picked it up. I'd played it at launch, but had forgotten so much about it. Coming back to it in 2021 it absolute holds up. Incredible design and I can't wait for the sequel
Paul Andrew
2021-10-25 00:35:58 +0000 UTCThis was my favorite SS+ episode ever. Loved hearing Colin and 'Head' gush over each other's work. Even better was all of the backstory on Dying Light and how it has impacted the industry. I adored this game when it released and am looking forward for the sequel. Craving more LSM content "Just. Like. This!"
L Band (Lawrence Adams)
2021-10-24 08:41:47 +0000 UTCAs a European non-native English speaker, I'm delighted that you had a great conversation with a developer from a country that doesn't speak English natively. I can imagine that an interview like that has its own challenges and takes you out of your comfort zone. I really appreciate you talking to all sorts of people in the industry, no matter their convictions or heritage. I was worried the extra Sacred Symbols + episodes would come at the cost of the high quality of the shows. Instead, you cranked it up to eleven and made it even better. You guys truly created the most interesting gaming podcast out there. Congratulations, keep on keeping on.
Zorro
2021-10-23 12:14:49 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed that! Great hearing a bit about the game, studio and about Bartosz in a casual format. Haven't been listening to all of the Plus episodes but will make sure to catch others like this.
Neal Morrin
2021-10-22 19:12:39 +0000 UTCI'm not much of a true laugh-out-loud person, more of a chuckler. BUT, his story about getting hired had me dying. Absolutely hysterical how he delivered it.
James
2021-10-21 12:45:06 +0000 UTCBartosz is captivating in this interview! Great work interviewing him and just fantastic that you got him on the show! I loved his explanation about why the Polish game scene is so huge.
Cockthatslaps
2021-10-21 05:42:20 +0000 UTCThis was an absolutely excellent episode! Interesting, insightful, and entertaining! All the best
Raymond Stuart
2021-10-21 00:24:46 +0000 UTCMy favourite part about this interview was how every time Bartosz talked about his colleagues coming to talk to him about something, he would say "My friend...". Something very slight, but really shows good character in my opinion. What a really nice guy. Great interview.
Tom Hawkins
2021-10-20 20:57:04 +0000 UTCI absolutely adore this guy! His enthusiasm had me smiling during the whole conversation. Keep up the great work LSM crew!
Peter Pham
2021-10-20 20:34:45 +0000 UTCAwesome episode! Would love to have him back on after the release of Dying Light 2 to discuss the development and reaction of the game.
Anthony A.
2021-10-20 20:27:28 +0000 UTCFantastic episode, i'm more interested than ever on dying light 2. I'm proud to be of Polish descent
John the Nabo
2021-10-20 19:57:46 +0000 UTCI wasnβt gunna get dying light 2 but after listening to this itβs a day one for me.
Brandon Lahood
2021-10-20 19:54:12 +0000 UTCFantastic interview. Inspiring as an aspiring dev in college rn.
Anthony Palerino
2021-10-20 19:43:32 +0000 UTCDefinitely. He's operating at a high level!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:25:17 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:25:09 +0000 UTCI can't wait, as well. =D
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:25:06 +0000 UTCHe was awesome, he did a great job.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:59 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:52 +0000 UTCThanks for your support!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:49 +0000 UTCIndeed.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:45 +0000 UTCLOL, he kept getting me!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:41 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:36 +0000 UTCLOL. <3
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:32 +0000 UTCI'll have him back early next year!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:26 +0000 UTCThank you! Big Heads Unite.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:19 +0000 UTCDefinitely check it out!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:13 +0000 UTCLOL! He was great.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:08 +0000 UTCDo it.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:24:02 +0000 UTCGlad you thought so!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:23:53 +0000 UTCThank you for your support.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-20 19:23:48 +0000 UTCi can see why this guys nickname was related to him being wise. He seems humble, intelligent, dedicated. super nice dude.
Joel Wood
2021-10-20 17:17:27 +0000 UTCWasnβt originally gonna check this one out as Iβm not into Dying Light but I was pleasantly surprised. Good convo.
NeO JD
2021-10-20 13:01:07 +0000 UTCAwesome interview. Dying light is one of the best games I ever played. Canβt wait for the sequel.
Damian Alanis
2021-10-20 12:14:35 +0000 UTCWhat a great interview! Bartosz was refreshingly transparent and enthusiastic which made this a real pleasure to listen to.
Michael Buffill
2021-10-20 06:19:41 +0000 UTCKulon was a joy to listen to. I've never played dying light but I think I'm going to try it now. Great work Colin! Love these interviews
TheJoe-senOne
2021-10-20 06:12:07 +0000 UTCWhat a great episode this was! Thanks for putting it together! And good luck to Techland on Dying Light 2!
Joey
2021-10-20 05:52:12 +0000 UTCMore and more people are reaching out to Colin. Its great!!!
brody_low
2021-10-20 01:25:39 +0000 UTCβAnd I did not get hiredβ so far this interview is great!
Jonathan Gonzalez
2021-10-19 22:39:53 +0000 UTCAnother great interview in the books! Cannot get enough of these Dev interviews! Keep it up ππ½ππ½ππ½
Ambitious Casual
2021-10-19 20:59:18 +0000 UTCShould've named this "Scared Symbols" Great interview colin!
Dylan Paulson
2021-10-19 20:43:25 +0000 UTCDude this was a fucking great interview. Holy poop. Gotta have this guy on every now and then...yalls chemistry was spot on. π
lazer_josh
2021-10-19 19:44:30 +0000 UTCGreat interviewβ¦ Bravo Colinβ¦. My daughters nickname is chowderhead too
Miguel Siguenza
2021-10-19 19:31:05 +0000 UTCThis was really great. Bartosz was incredibly insightful. Never played Dying Light, always looked appealing but never got around to it. But itβs definitely now on my shortlist to play ASAP.
Will Hernandez
2021-10-19 18:32:37 +0000 UTCPetition to have Bartosz on every episode from now until the end of time, that dude was laugh out loud hilarious with some of his stories, and so candid and insightful. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, Col!
David Jacobs
2021-10-19 18:29:08 +0000 UTCRegretfully I have not ever played Dying Light, but Colin planted it in my head for sure over the years. Lately it's been on my mind. Also I don't know much about it, which is great. Looking forward to try it.
OrochiNewsTeam
2021-10-19 18:22:53 +0000 UTCgreat episode, he had a very interesting perspective on the burgeoning polish development scene!
Jacob
2021-10-19 18:09:10 +0000 UTCThis was incredible!!! My favorite + piece of content to date. Great work Colin and team for the pacing and content within this interview. Kulon was so candid and honest, it was very refreshing and I loved his take on why Poland is finding success in the industry.
Patrick Larson
2021-10-19 17:54:04 +0000 UTCThank you.
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:28 +0000 UTCThank you, that's very kind of you to say. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:23 +0000 UTC!!!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:15 +0000 UTCWe will. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:11 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:07 +0000 UTCEnjoy. =)
Colin Moriarty
2021-10-19 17:12:03 +0000 UTCGreat interview Colin. Very interesting
NukeDukem
2021-10-19 17:11:46 +0000 UTCColin, today give yourself a pat on the back. This was a great episode man. I truly mean that. It was great to hear about the development scene in Poland as well as his experience developing all three games for tech land. I hope that when dying light 2 ships he can come back and talk about open world/sandbox game development because I feel like there are not many studios that do that well. If CDPR ever lll fixes cyberpunk I hope you can interview someone from there.
Kenneth Oms
2021-10-19 17:11:29 +0000 UTCHoly shit. What a surprise.
Michael Welter
2021-10-19 16:47:51 +0000 UTCThis is an amazing episode! Bring Head back for the Dying Light 2 spoilercast
Kyle Borchert
2021-10-19 16:40:40 +0000 UTCSo proud to support this company. This content is just so consistently superb.
Josef Barker
2021-10-19 16:13:22 +0000 UTCDying Light was my GOTY in 2015 and the sequel is probably my most anticipated game of 2022, really looking forward to this episode!
Cody Richter
2021-10-19 16:03:56 +0000 UTC
