How Opti Games is Crafting 'Golden Retriever' Including Sparkball

Opti Games, a collaboration of indie developers and veterans from Riot and Blizzard, is dedicated to crafting what they term "Golden Retriever" games—experiences designed to uplift players. Their inaugural project, Sparkball, exemplifies this ethos.

Sparkball By Opti Games

Sparkball Cover Banner on X

Overview of Sparkball

Sparkball is a 4v4 competitive "sport brawler" that melds the action elements of League of Legends with the strategic gameplay akin to Rocket League and FIFA. Players engage in fast-paced matches where they must balance ball handling and combat skills to score goals in their opponent's territory. The game promises both immediate excitement and strategic depth, encouraging players to customize heroes and collaborate effectively within their teams.

Early Access Success

During its Early Access phase, Sparkball garnered over 5,000 players and received glowing feedback, achieving a high enjoyment rating of 4.8 out of 5. Opti Games also forged partnerships with major esports organizations like FNC, G2, and C9, underscoring its growing influence in the competitive gaming sphere.

Sparkball Ascension Invitational

The Sparkball Ascension Invitational, a one-day tournament boasting a $32,000 prize pool, promises to captivate esports enthusiasts worldwide. Ten premier esports organizations will compete, ensuring a riveting display of skill and strategy in the burgeoning web3 esports scene.

Introducing the Triple A Team

Opti Games attributes its success to a return to its indie roots and the expertise of its team, which includes veterans from acclaimed titles such as League of Legends and Overwatch. In just six months, they transformed Sparkball from a concept into a polished game that surpassed initial expectations.

• Chandler Thomlison, CEO: Former Consultant turned Indie Game Developer, successfully bootstrapped the original Sparkball prototype.
• Jeremy Wood, CTO: Founding engineer known for contributions to World of Warcraft, previously at Blizzard and Santa Monica Studios.
• Artur Szczepanek, CFO/COO: Acting CFO for World of Warcraft, with a background spanning Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, and Ernst & Young.
• Matt Dunn, CCO: Noted writer for Ekko, Kindred, Pyke, and other League of Legends characters, with prior roles at Riot Games, EA, and 2K.
• Alvin Lee, Art Director: Creator of the KDA Skin Line in League of Legends, with experience at Riot Games, Capcom, and Marvel.

Scheduled Release for 2025

Opti Games is gearing up for Sparkball's scheduled release in mid-2025, nearing completion with most of the development milestones accomplished.

For those eager to delve deeper into Sparkball and Opti Games, the studio invites new players and returning fans alike to experience the game firsthand. Discover more about Sparkball and Opti Games through their official trailer here and join them in shaping the future of gaming.