The Bare Minimum Studios Begins

While it may sound like a solo endeavor, The Bare Minimum Studios is more than just a one-man operation. Founder and creative lead Avery humbly states that he frequently collaborates with others. He shared insights into the origins of the studio's name and his journey into game development. “I don’t think anything in particular really inspired the name,” Avery explained. “I was just trying to come up with something funny.” The story behind the name is lighthearted, rooted in a moment of creativity shared with a friend. “We were washing dishes at our fast food job, brainstorming names for the studio. The name 'The Bare Minimum Studios' came to mind, and it just stuck—I think it has a nice ring to it.”

A Sense of Humor and Dedication

The studio name was chosen to reflect a sense of humor and humility. "I wanted the studio name to express that I don’t take myself super seriously. That being said, with a name like 'The Bare Minimum Studios,' it’s important to show that I don’t actually do the bare minimum when it comes to creative works, which is why I always go above and beyond."

From Hobby to Profession

Initially, game development was a hobby, but it has since become a profession. Currently enrolled in college for game development, Avery released his first professional game, Rectangle Guy, marking his transition from hobbyist to professional. "Releasing Rectangle Guy was my first foray into a more professional system. Up to this point, I had really only ever released something on sites like Gamejolt."

The Journey of Rectangle Guy

The character Rectangle Guy holds a special place in his heart, as he created the character when he was 14. "I ended up making two games with him during high school—both of which are pretty bad looking back. This game started out as a remake of sorts of both of them, packaged into one game. However, I quickly left that idea behind to do something original, and the final product is infinitely better for it." The motivation for Rectangle Guy was deeply personal. "I wanted to give this character something I could truly be proud of before I moved on to new things."

Passion for 2D Platformers

His passion for 2D platformers, his favorite genre, was a driving force behind the creative decisions for the game. "I wanted to create an experience that I know I personally would get really into if it weren’t made by me. I think that’s how many of the creative decisions for this game were made—I tried to imagine what I would think is cool if I were playing the game for the first time."

A Completed Vision

Work on Rectangle Guy spanned from January 2020 until its release in April 2023, with continued refinement post-release. "The last major update was released in May of this year (2024), containing a small campaign for the game’s one-year anniversary. I consider the game to be truly complete at this point."

Future Projects and Collaborations

As for future projects, Avery is actively working on his next game, though details are not ready to be shared just yet. Be sure to check out The Bare Minimum Studios’ socials to stay up to date!