Wales Interactive Charts Course for Indie Success on Nintendo Platforms with Soul Axiom
Entry information
Published on: October 06, 2015
Description
Wales Interactive, a dynamic game developer and publisher, has rapidly established itself as a leading force among indie studios bringing innovative titles to Nintendo platforms.
Founded by Richard Pring and Dai Banner in Wales just a few years ago, the company’s journey from mobile games to celebrated releases on consoles such as Wii U highlights both resilience and the growing appeal of Nintendo’s platforms for independent creators.
Since its inception, Wales Interactive has built an impressive portfolio, boasting 16 games and earning 32 nominations and 17 awards in just three years.
Its approach revolves around nurturing local talent and fostering a thriving game development scene in Wales.
Their unique vision reached a wider audience with the release of thought-provoking adventures like Gravity Badgers and Master Reboot on Nintendo’s eShop, both of which showcased the studio’s versatility and creative ambitions.
The transition to console development, particularly for Wii U, posed unique challenges due to evolving technology and engine support.
As Richard Pring noted, Nintendo of Europe provided valuable technical support during the porting process.
While Gravity Badgers transitioned smoothly, Master Reboot presented complexities as it relied on the aging Unreal Engine 3, which was no longer officially supported.
Despite these hurdles, the collaboration between Wales Interactive, Nintendo, and Unreal’s support team enabled a successful port.
The experience also motivated the studio to fully embrace the Unity engine—citing its ease of porting, optimization, and broad platform support, which have since become critical to their multi-platform strategy.
Soul Axiom, a spiritual successor to Master Reboot, exemplifies Wales Interactive’s narrative ambitions and technical evolution.
Launched on Wii U as part of Nintendo’s celebrated 'Nindies' initiative, Soul Axiom immerses players in a digital afterlife where memories and souls intertwine, offering a distinctive blend of sci-fi thriller elements and puzzle-based gameplay without relying on conventional weaponry.
The game introduces a series of powers—like Phase, Play, Destroy, and Corrupt—that allow for intricate environmental manipulation and puzzle solving.
By carefully pacing the introduction of these mechanics, Soul Axiom encourages discovery and experimentation, striking a careful balance between challenge and satisfaction.
Player feedback and community engagement have shaped the game’s evolution.
Features such as Off-TV Play and gyroscopic controls on the Wii U GamePad were implemented in direct response to player requests, demonstrating the studio’s commitment to leveraging Nintendo hardware features and building a rapport with the eShop audience.
As Pring highlighted, Nintendo fans have consistently provided some of the most supportive and insightful feedback across all platforms, solidifying Wales Interactive’s resolve to continue supporting Nintendo systems in future projects.
With Unity’s expanding support for platforms like the New Nintendo 3DS, Wales Interactive stands poised to explore new handheld opportunities.
Their commitment to narrative-driven, atmospheric experiences and strong community ties ensures the company remains a standout success story within the growing ecosystem of indie games on Nintendo platforms.
As Soul Axiom continues to make waves on the Nintendo eShop, Wales Interactive’s evolution reflects both the changing face of indie development and the enduring appeal of Nintendo consoles for innovative, story-first game design.
