Dartmouth, N.S., software developer turns childhood dream into Nintendo Switch game

Nova Scotia developer Trevor Kendrick is about to have his first commercial release on one of gaming’s biggest platforms

Trevor Kendrick works as a software developer, but for the last few years he’s been using his spare time on a different kind of project: a video game inspired by Nintendo classics.

Kendrick recently released Superstar Strategy on PC through Steam and is preparing to launch the turn-based tactical role-playing game on Nintendo Switch in September.

The game blends strategy and role-playing mechanics, with players moving characters across a grid to complete objectives and defeat opponents.

“It’s kind of inspired by Nintendo games like Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics,” Kendrick said. “You can think of it as a mix of an RPG and chess.”

While Superstar Strategy is Kendrick’s first commercial release, it builds on ideas from one of the first games he created as a hobby.

His earlier projects were released on the independent platform Itch.io, where developers can share games and gather feedback without the expectations that come with a commercial launch.

Kendrick said the latest version has been years in the making.

“If you count from the first game, it might be something like 10 years,” he said. “The first work in earnest on this one started about seven years ago.”

Balancing game development with a full-time software career required careful time management.

“It wasn’t always easy,” he said. “Once I started making games, I don’t play them as much anymore because it just takes up a lot of time.”

The game’s pixel-art style pays tribute to the Super Nintendo era, drawing inspiration from titles such as The Legend of Zelda and early Final Fantasy games.

Kendrick said choosing that aesthetic was both a creative and practical decision as a solo developer.

Throughout development, he relied on extensive play testing, both on his own and with friends, using their feedback to refine gameplay and improve the user experience.

The PC version of Superstar Strategy is available now, along with a free demo. The Nintendo Switch version is scheduled for release on Sept. 3.

Kendrick hopes players discover more than just the game’s nostalgic appearance.

“I hope people find joy in the minutia,” he said. “It looks very cute and simple on the surface, but there’s a lot of depth there.”

Outside of developing games, Kendrick is also involved in Halifax’s independent game development community, which hosts monthly meetups where local creators can showcase projects, network and receive feedback.

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