Good Trouble Games is one of the most promising new companies in the gaming industry. The fully remote development studio is preparing to make waves with its mission to craft wildly creative, super accessible, and incredibly engaging games. Co-founded by Arman Nobari, who credits his battle with cancer for his love of videogames, Good Trouble Games aims to redefine the real-time strategy genre with its upcoming next generation strategy game. After securing an initial investment of $1.8 million lead by Skycatcher, and with prominent investors like Mitch Lasky and 1Up Ventures behind them, Good Trouble Games is about to deliver a gaming experience with strategic depth and without heavy micro-management.
Good Vision
Armen Nobari is the driving force behind Good Trouble Games. In 2005 as a teenager he battled Stage III Lymphoma. Chemotherapy was a brutal experience and Arman sought solace in the fantastical worlds of videogames. He found comfort in the creative potential of videogaming and embarked on a journey of innovation and imaginative design. Arman was heavily involved with modding games such as WarCraft 3; however, while his creations were shared with the world, he discovered that other children in similar situations to his own, who struggled with vision or mobility issues, found it difficult to access the games that brought him so much joy. This experience inspired Nobari to focus on making games that are not only fun but also accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical limitations.
The foundation of Good Trouble Games is built on the principles of accessibility and inclusivity.
The reason I enjoy real-time strategy games so much is their combination of complex mechanics, occasionally intense micro-management, and the deep strategic thinking required to outmanoeuvre opponents. Success in the RTS genre requires multi-tasking, situational awareness and critical thinking. When you think of real-time strategy you don’t immediately think of accessibility. Good Trouble aims to break this mold by developing a game that offers strategic depth and unexpected twists while remaining easy to pick up. The studio’s commitment to a thoughtful UX design ensures that the game will be approachable for both seasoned RTS players and newcomers alike. According to Nobari, the goal is to create a game that emphasizes clever strategy, unique base-building, and multiple ways to win, all wrapped in a user-friendly package.
Good Team
The key to Good Trouble’s strength is its team of industry veterans from renowned companies such as Disney, Panic, and Electronic Arts (EA). Its a diverse team which brings a shared passion for innovation. Coupled with Arman’s passion for accessibility, and the studio’s collaborative and community-focused approach, Good Trouble Games is ready to bring something revolutionary to the table. Regular updates, cross-platform play, and community involvement are key components of Good Trouble’s strategy to ensure that the final product meets the expectations of its audience.
Good Trouble have a Discord Server set up and encourage people to join so that they can “chat with us, learn more about our development practices and accessibility efforts, and keep up with news and happenings around our projects”. You can find a link to the Discord Server here.
Great Good Expectations
Good Trouble are staying very tight-lipped about what we can expect from their next-gen RTS game, but what they have said is that it will feature a variety of innovative gameplay mechanics designed to keep players engaged and challenged.
Their goal is to “strike a thoughtful balance between deep strategy, great UX, and controls that aren’t overwhelming.” The game will focus on dynamic base-building, strategic resource management, and clever tactical manoeuvres. Unlike traditional RTS games that often require rapid clicking and extensive micromanagement, Good Trouble’s game will streamline controls and interfaces to provide a more intuitive and enjoyable experience.
What we do know is that the game will be set in a richly detailed sci-fi universe where exploration and discovery are paramount. The game promises an adventurous feel, with planetary artifacts and glitchy transmissions hinting at deeper lore and mysteries to uncover. This thematic choice not only adds to the game’s narrative depth but also provides a vibrant and engaging backdrop for strategic battles.
While multiplayer gameplay is a significant focus, allowing players to compete or cooperate with friends, Good Trouble has not neglected the single-player experience. The game’s core technology is built to ensure stable and sturdy, cross-platform, multiplayer sessions, but single-player campaigns will also be available, offering a robust and immersive solo experience.
Good Impact
Sia Kamalie of Skycatcher believes that Good Trouble Games has the potential to bring about a ‘Battle Royale moment’ for the real-time strategy genre. He said,
The real-time strategy genre hasn’t seen disruption in years, but we think the talented team at Good Trouble can build a game here which can expand the genre and reach new players through the team’s groundbreaking accessible design and totally reimagined AI in gameplay.
Just as Battle Royale redefined the landscape and expanded the reach of shooter games, Good Trouble’s accessible design and could introduce RTS games to a wider audience. In a genre which many feel has gone stale over the last few years, this revolutionary approach may be like a breath of fresh air. Imagine if this leads to a resurgence of interest in the genre and inspires other developers to adopt similar principles in their own games.
Arman Nobari, the visionary leader behind Good Trouble Games, brings a wealth of experience and a deeply personal mission to the studio. Prior to founding Good Trouble, Nobari developed Harlow, a platformer that emerged from a difficult period in his life marked by a brain tumor diagnosis and the loss of a parent. Harlow, created as a solo project, is a game about two clumsy robots planning a surprise party for frozen colonists, reflecting themes of hope and resilience. Nobari’s experience with Harlow underscores his dedication to creating games that are not only fun but also accessible and meaningful. The game’s success, both in terms of its engaging mechanics and its charitable impact, with profits supporting organisations like Cancer for College and Black Girls Code, highlights Nobari’s commitment to social responsibility in gaming.
Good Vibes
Under the visionary leadership of Arman Nobari, Good Trouble Games is set to revolutionize the RTS genre with its innovative and accessible approach to game design. With a talented team, substantial funding, and a clear mission, the studio is well on its way to creating a game that entertains whilst also including and engaging a diverse player base. The best place to get the latest news on development is Good Trouble Games’ Discord Server. The second-best place is right here at RTS HQ.
