Fabio Belsanti, CEO and founder of AgeOfGames, shared insights about his talk at devcom 2024 and his team's upcoming projects. During the event held in August, Belsanti addressed the topic "(Video)Games and High Culture," exploring the role of video games in democratizing culture. "My talk focused on the potential of video games as a medium that can embody and transform high culture. Historically, high culture was associated with disciplines like literature and fine arts, considered inaccessible to many. However, video games blend complex narratives and artistic expressions, making this culture more accessible and engaging," he explained.

Belsanti emphasized that the relationship between games and high culture is continually evolving, especially with modern games that adopt philosophical themes and complex moral dilemmas. He believes that games can "deconstruct and reconstruct reality" using the lens of game design, making them a fundamental tool in the democratization of imagination. "Today, high culture must be redefined and democratized, and video games can play a vital role in that process," Belsanti stated, highlighting that the indie sector is increasingly embracing this cultural mission.

When asked about the impact of Kien, often referred to as "the most delayed game of all time," on the development of his new projects, Homini et Armi and NumeN, Belsanti revealed that Kien’s 22-year journey taught him the importance of perseverance. "Kien faced many challenges, but it allowed me to understand the need for creative and pragmatic adaptation. This experience shapes our new projects, where we are focusing on more diverse funding and distribution strategies to avoid delays," he said. The new games incorporate the lessons learned, such as managing creative ambitions and team resources, while also exploring deeper narrative dimensions.

On the decision to release Kien for the Gameboy Advance during gamescom, Belsanti shared that the retro gaming community enthusiastically welcomed the game. "It was fascinating to see players' reactions to Kien being released on the platform it was originally designed for. Many interpreted it as a precursor to souls-like games, due to its hidden mechanical complexity beneath a seemingly light aesthetic," he noted, highlighting how the contrast between the game’s appearance and its challenging gameplay was widely appreciated.

Finally, Belsanti described what fans can expect from Homini et Armi and NumeN. "Homini et Armi offers a unique blend of strategy and historical authenticity, drawing from unpublished archival sources, while NumeN explores futuristic and psychological themes. What sets these projects apart from previous work like Kien is their emphasis on narrative and interactivity," he concluded.