Overtime Bonus Episode 63: The Creators of Oceanhorn 3 on Apple Arcade and Mobile RPGs

BONUS Episode 063: In this interview, I sit down with the creators behind the Oceanhorn series, including the founders of Cornfox & Brothers and creative director Eikki Repo, to talk about the upcoming launch of Oceanhorn 3. We discuss the origins of the original Oceanhorn on iPhone back in 2013, how the team built one of the first true console-quality RPG experiences for mobile, and what it takes to develop a massive adventure game for modern Apple hardware. The conversation also dives into the evolution of mobile gaming, the transition from premium App Store games to subscription platforms like Apple Arcade, and how a small team of just nine developers created their most ambitious game yet. Got questions, comments, or tips? Reach out! overtime@9to5mac.com ## Show Links https://youtu.be/Ka5K3yl_qaM https://youtu.be/CyRtsbneo-k https://youtu.be/-PtW8zkTG-s https://youtu.be/rzYpmxQfciw https://youtu.be/msZWBR3-Jf8 https://youtu.be/YwUms0Fc27Q https://youtu.be/VVMWNmM-y8I ## Previous 9to5Mac Overtime Episodes https://youtu.be/yI4SqmVp2do https://youtu.be/2uFx3LOK_xU https://youtu.be/V-wDIVkHN9o https://youtu.be/Xkgw7BRR5cE https://youtu.be/XZBiaUoou8U https://youtu.be/KlvpGF39KCg https://youtu.be/-k_M1pqJgLg https://youtu.be/za6FptGDUus ## Subscribe to the channel! https://youtube.com/@9to5Mac?sub_confirmation=1 ## Follow your Overtime hosts on Instagram Jeff: https://www.instagram.com/jeffbenjam Fernando: https://www.instagram.com/nandoprince93 ## Subscribe to 9to5Mac Overtime Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP3DOW_eX2AwO_whrINOi-TuAdgsSR83i https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-overtime/id1727206360 ## Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChjRM_qQAaOAiLNbOGbYcRA/join ## Affiliate disclaimer FTC: We use income-earning affiliate links and participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. For more details, visit: https://9to5mac.com/about/#affiliate ## Chapters 0:00 - Intro: Interview with the creators of Oceanhorn 0:50 - How the Oceanhorn series began 2:09 - Gaming backgrounds and inspirations (Zelda-style RPG influence) 4:27 - Mobile gaming in the early App Store era 6:05 - Premium games vs $0.99 App Store pricing 8:19 - Developing Oceanhorn 3 and raising the bar 8:47 - Mobile hardware evolution: 2013 vs modern Apple chips 11:12 - Balancing performance across different Apple devices 13:34 - Apple Silicon and the impact of M-series chips 15:06 - AI and Apple Intelligence in game development 16:27 - Building a console-quality game with a small team 17:46 - Designing gameplay for touch, controllers, and Apple platforms 20:19 - Early controller support on iOS 21:09 - Transitioning from the App Store to Apple Arcade 23:23 - Benefits of Apple Arcade for developers 24:57 - Oceanhorn 3 story overview and gameplay 26:15 - Vision Pro and VR possibilities 28:26 - Post-launch updates and DLC plans 29:38 - Best way to play Oceanhorn 3 31:19 - Exploration, pacing, and game design philosophy 31:39 - The in-game tarot card mini-game 31:59 - What’s next for Cornfox & Brothers 33:33 - Updates vs entirely new games in the series 34:49 - Nostalgia and references for longtime fans 35:20 - Future platform plans 35:45 - Launch details and final thoughts 37:42 - Outro ## Tags #ApplePodcast #iPhonePodcast #MacPodcast