Sam Barlow Gives 5 Reasons Why You Should Try Her Story

There is no doubt that Her Story is the biggest winner of the 12th IMGA and it even made a new record in the IMGA history — 3 awards in one night! We took the chance to ask Sam Barlow, the developer behind Her Story, a few questions about his successful game!

How do you feel about taking 3 awards home from the 12th IMGA? Did you have positive surprises following your victory?

Sam: I was humbled! The innovation and excitement that I saw in the mobile game space was one of the motivating factors for striking out as an independent and making Her Story, so to be awarded by the IMGA and especially receiving the Grand Prix was fantastic. It was such a good year for games — and to be nominated alongside titles I loved such as Prune, Downwell and Plug and Play was a great honor.

Could you give me one sentence to describe you and your game Her Story?

Sam: I’ve been working in videogames for a while now and I’m obsessed with creating fresh experiences and exploring deeper storytelling in games — Her Story was an attempt to push the envelope and prove that a personal, police procedural narrative could be the focus of an interactive experience. In the game you get to search through a police database from the 90s to retrieve video clips of a woman being interviewed by the police and try to piece together her story.

Have you encountered any difficulties while making this game?

Sam: The game uses live action footage for most of its content and it was surprising to see how difficult it can be to get a modern game engine to work with video!

Can you give me 5 reasons why players should try Her Story?

1. It’s a game that makes you feel like a detective

2. Viva Seifert’s central performance will move and surprise you

3. There are no complex mechanics to learn — if you can Google, you can play

4. You are free to discover the story in your own way, there are no restrictions on your exploration

5. Lastly, the game makes great use of your imagination!

How’s your life now after having received a huge success this year?

Sam: Good! I was delighted to see that there was an audience for an experience like Her Story — and that there was an appetite for interactive stories in the wider world. The success has enabled me to explore further interesting projects — first, a reboot of the ‘War Games’ franchise as an interactive show shaped by its audience, and others as yet unannounced! I hope the games success will encourage and enable other creators to break similar new ground!

Any new game or project coming out in the next months?

Sam: First — after many demands! — will be the Android version of Her Story. Then the next project will be War Games — watch this space for more details! After that — well, wait and see!

Share this game on