Interview – Maxence Chief Product Officer at Kylii Kids
Hey Maxence ! It’s been almost two years since your last interview and so, also two years since the day you’ve joined Kylii Kids’ Team. It’s time to catch up! For the records, you’re Chief Product Officer and you work on the games production and on new products conception.
As for you, which Kylii Kids game is the most beautiful of all ?
Maxence Devoghelaere – I would say … The magic lab.
A small anecdote, the magic lab is one our last game which just has been developed for a whole new product (Interactive wall – Kylii Wall) and it’s a “sandbox” game. Children have to try to find animations hiding in the setting by using different interactions (touch, swipe, drag, tap…) : a kind of new generation stimulation play area. Our first tester was the 5 years old Sales Director’s son. And honestly, all Kylii Kids’ Team was really proud to see his enthusiasm in front of the beauty of the game. He was repeating “WOOOOOWWWWW” while he was playing with explosions created by each potion poured into the cauldron.
And which game had the greatest graphic evolution ?
M. D. – With no doubt, Super Pilot !
It’s a gestural game where kids pilot a plane and stretch the arms out in order to fly. (Available on Kylii Air – Augmented Reality games).
When I first arrived at Kylii Kids, I asked the team which games they wanted to see quickly evolved. And “Super Pilot” was selected by everyone. So, it was very important for me to pay special attention to this game. And I think Anthony, our infographist, perfectly did the job.
What has been your greatest pride since your arrival at Kylii Kids ?
M. D. – From a product side, I’d say that it’s really Kylii Quest Challenge
Because it’s a wonderful project which has been presented to me from the beginning. Then it’s been built with all the team over the time. We have been really far on our brainstormings and tests, from the crazy idea of an holographic treasure chest to the project as it’s now.
On a human side, my greatest pride is clearly to succeed to integrate this cohesive and beautiful team really fast. And also having found a useful and gratifying place for myself and for the others ( Indeed, I hope so ! ;))
Max, tell us everything, what is the secret recipe for a new Kylii Kids game ?
M. D. – Above all, it’s teamwork !
It’s usually start from a brainstorming between me, Julie (Creative & Artistic director) and
Elodie (Account Manager). We share our ideas that fit with the product gameplay. Then we used to set the priorities. Elodie challenges them to the customer requests she has, then we define together a “shortlist” of new titles to be produced.
Then, Julie defines the universes and the artistic direction, and I take care of the game design book including the detailed concept, the rules of the game and the ergonomics / feedbacks.
Then the project is sent to the graphic production, where 2D / 3D assets are created. Then, we launch development with the integration of graphic elements and the implementation of gameplay mechanics.
And finally, it comes back to the artists for a little final touch of sparkles (FX, feedbacks …) before the validation by Julie and myself.
Even if the final validation is up to children, because it’s them the best judges of our work!
What are you working on right now?
M. D. – The finalization of Kylii Wall, our the interactive wall for kids.
The prototype of the wall mounting box has just been finalized by Laurie, our designer and we already have developed 6 games (including the magic lab). Now, we are creating 4 new games to bring the catalog up to 10 games when the solution is launched. (Kylii Kids develops new games throughout the year for each product).
We are also working on an evolution of the Kylii Quest challenge. It was initially dedicated to indoor parks only. We actually add new modes to cover a larger public and to be able to meet events or even touristic needs.