MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SMOKEWOOD GAME
SMOKEWOOD isn't being built by a faceless corporation or a sprawling studio. It's being crafted by a father and son who share a passion for storytelling, moral complexity, and games that challenge players to think.
Matt Mazer - Creative Director & Lead Programmer
Matt brings decades of programming experience to SMOKEWOOD, with a career spanning some of the most foundational languages and systems in software development. A retired Enterprise Architect from Geographic Solutions, Matt has spent his professional life building complex, interconnected systems—the same skills now powering SMOKEWOOD's living ecosystem, three-axis morality system, and dynamic NPC relationships.
Programming Background:
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C++ - Low-level systems and performance optimization
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C# - Game logic and Unity development
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Java - Enterprise architecture and scalable systems
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HTML/JavaScript - Web platforms and user interfaces
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SQL - Database design and data modeling
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BASIC - Where it all began, decades ago
Matt's technical expertise isn't just theoretical—it's battle-tested across enterprise software, web platforms, and now game development. He understands how to build systems that scale, respond dynamically to player input, and maintain performance under complex conditions. SMOKEWOOD's technical foundation is built on decades of professional experience.
But Matt isn't just a programmer. He's a creative director, a storyteller, and a father who believes games can be more than entertainment—they can be meaningful experiences that challenge players to confront difficult questions about morality, consequence, and what it means to survive.
Julian Mazer - Lead Artist, 3D Modeler & Animator
Julian is the visual voice of SMOKEWOOD. As Lead Artist, he's responsible for bringing the late 1870s frontier to life through 3D modeling, animation, and environmental design. Every character, creature, structure, and landscape you'll see in SMOKEWOOD flows from Julian's artistic vision.
Artistic Expertise:
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Blender 3D Modeling - Character models, creatures, environmental assets, structures, and props
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Character Animation - Fluid, realistic movement for characters and NPCs across all gameplay scenarios
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Environmental Design - Forests, rivers, towns, mines, and homesteads that feel lived-in and authentic
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Art Direction - Establishing the visual style and aesthetic that defines SMOKEWOOD's frontier atmosphere
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Stylized Realism - Balancing painterly textures with performance optimization for smooth gameplay
Together, they're building SMOKEWOOD the way they've always worked: as a team, as a family, and with a shared belief that games should respect player intelligence and challenge assumptions.
WHY A FAMILY STUDIO MATTERS
We're Not Building This for Investors. We're Building It for Players.
As a family-run studio, we don't answer to shareholders or quarterly earnings reports. We answer to our vision—and to the community of players who believe in what we're creating. SMOKEWOOD is a labor of love, not a product designed by committee.
We're In This for the Long Haul
This isn't a cash grab or a trend-chasing project. SMOKEWOOD is the first game from Sakatumi Games, but it won't be the last. We're building a studio that creates morally complex, narratively rich games that challenge players and respect their intelligence. This is our legacy—and we're committed to seeing it through.
Transparency Is in Our DNA
When you're a family studio, there's no hiding behind corporate PR or vague updates. We're accountable to each other—and to you. If we hit a milestone, we'll celebrate it. If we encounter a challenge, we'll share it. If we make a mistake, we'll own it. Transparency isn't a marketing strategy for us. It's how we operate.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: GAMES SHOULD CHALLENGE, NOT CODDLE
We believe games are at their best when they:
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Respect player intelligence and don't hold your hand
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Present moral complexity without easy answers
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Show consequences that are permanent and meaningful
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Create living worlds that react dynamically to player choices
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Tell stories that stay with you long after you stop playing
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Look beautiful while maintaining performance and clarity
SMOKEWOOD embodies all of these principles. It's the game we want to play—and we think you do too.
WHY WE NEED KICKSTARTER
As a small, independent family studio, we don't have access to traditional game industry funding. We're not backed by publishers or venture capital. We're backed by our belief in this project—and by the community of players who share our vision.
Kickstarter allows us to:
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Stay independent and maintain creative control
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Build the game we—and you—want to play, not what a publisher thinks will sell
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Involve the community in development through updates, feedback, and beta testing
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Create a sustainable studio that can make more games like SMOKEWOOD in the future
Your support doesn't just fund SMOKEWOOD. It funds a vision for what indie games can be.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
We've Built Complex Systems Before
Matt's decades of programming experience in enterprise architecture means he knows how to build scalable, interconnected systems that perform under pressure. SMOKEWOOD's living ecosystem, three-axis morality system, and dynamic NPC relationships aren't just design concepts—they're technically feasible because of Matt's expertise.
We've Built Beautiful Worlds Before
Julian's artistic background means he knows how to create immersive, visually cohesive environments that feel authentic and alive. Every model, animation, and environmental detail in SMOKEWOOD is crafted with intention. This isn't placeholder art—it's the final vision, being built in Blender from day one.
We've Shipped Real Products
We know how to deliver on promises. We know how to manage timelines, budgets, and customer expectations. We know how to build something from nothing and see it through to completion.
We're Accountable to Each Other
When you work with family, there's nowhere to hide. We hold each other accountable every single day. If something isn't working, we fix it. If we're falling behind, we adjust. If we make a mistake, we own it together. That accountability extends to our backers.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We will not go silent. We will not overpromise. We will not abandon this project.
SMOKEWOOD will be completed. We're committed to delivering the game we've promised, even if it takes longer or requires adjustments along the way. Your trust and support mean everything to us, and we will honor that trust with transparency, hard work, and integrity.
Game development is a journey, not a destination. We're inviting you to take that journey with us—with all its challenges, triumphs, and surprises.
Thank you for believing in SMOKEWOOD. Thank you for believing in us.
JOIN THE FAMILY
When you back SMOKEWOOD, you're not just funding a game. You're joining a family-run studio where a father handles the code and a son brings the frontier to life through art.
The frontier is waiting. Will you join us?