Meet the Tricoman Team #4 - Luka Filipović (CTO & Lead Developer)

Meet the Tricoman Team #4 - Luka Filipović (CTO & Lead Developer)

Game Dev Building Blocks

I have a lot of interests, and most of them vary quite a bit. I enjoy playing video games, whether it's single-player for storytelling and immersion, or multiplayer with friends for the competitiveness. I also enjoy traveling and hanging out with friends without relying on technology.

I am a huge fan of sports, starting with love for football and basketball for many years. It was definitely a career option for me to be a sports journalist. In the last 10 years, I have become a huge fan of motorsports like MotoGP and F1, but the biggest of all is the NFL. I'm a curious person who loves to solve problems and has an interest in History.

When I first started watching the NFL I didn't understand it, but it's quite easy to learn and I was initially hooked by the flashy plays but stayed for the complexity and strategy. It's not just like chess, it's like an RTS game in real life. The amount of preparation for the opponent, the strategy of your attacks and defenses, the real-time decision making and of course, the gladiator-like physical and athletic players clashing - all of it is really fun for me.

What are you currently working on in the game?

My primary responsibility is to bring the game’s vision to life through code. I implement gameplay mechanics, features, and systems that make the game engaging and fun for players. Additionally, I stay updated with the latest industry trends, tools, and best practices. My ultimate goal is to create a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

What is your earlist gaming memory?

One of my earliest gaming memories was playing the NES, which was a gift from my grandpa, and spending countless hours on Super Mario Bros until I finally beat it. My first experience with PC gaming came when I visited one of my cousins or uncles, where I got to try games like Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Warcraft III, Civilization III, GTA 3, and Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed. I loved every one of them and couldn't wait to get my own PC to conquer all these games.

When I finally got my own PC, I vividly remember installing five games: Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, Rise of Nations, Call of Duty, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and Counter-Strike 1.6. Each game had something unique that hooked me: Warcraft had an immersive world and compelling characters; Rise of Nations offered the thrill of changing history and conquering the world; Call of Duty provided a fun way to experience World War II; Wolfenstein was terrifying yet exhilarating; and Counter-Strike was simply super fun.

A few years later, after attending several football and basketball matches, I was introduced to FIFA and Football Manager. These games consumed countless hours of my life. The fun and competition of playing FIFA with friends and the excitement of managing teams in Football Manager, like bringing Ronaldinho to Crvena Zvezda, provided some of my most memorable gaming experiences.

What motivated you to pursue a career in game dev?

I’ve always enjoyed crafting and creating things when I was little (like with LEGO), but I wasn't skilled in art, music, or hands-on crafts. However, I excelled in math and discovered I had a talent for programming. Programming allowed me to create something from scratch, which was incredibly satisfying. When I combined this with my love for games, I experienced a profound sense of accomplishment and joy, especially from the moment I created my first prototype at university. I also had friends with similar aspirations, and together, we pursued our dreams. That’s how I found my path into game development.

What are some highlights from your career?

One of the major highlights of my career was creating an RPG prototype for mobile while we were in the Nordeus Hub for 4 months, all while working full-time. We had some knowledge of Unity, but it wasn't enough. However, despite the strict deadline, we achieved and learned a lot during those 4 months. This experience propelled us to where we are now in our journey and proved that we are capable of working as a team and creating games.

And a big thanks to you!

Steam post image If you've reached this far, we would like to extend a thank you from everyone at Tricoman Studios! Consider joining our Discord and supporting us in our journey to be a part of our story!