If you ask anyone in the games industry which studios have undeniably shaped the adventure genre—and the industry as a whole—you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t mention Revolution Software. The British video game developer has been creating iconic point-and-click adventure games since 1990, most notably, Broken Sword.

In this episode of MobileGroove, Charles Cecil—co-founder and CEO of Revolution Software—sits down with Peggy Anne Salz to share his insights on building products that stand the test of time. As one of the industry's most respected veterans, Charles has witnessed gaming’s many metamorpheses, from the shift from PC to console and now mobile, to the rise of new monetization models and cross-platform strategies.

In this show, he shares his experience updating Broken Sword to 4K, revealing what it takes to modernize a beloved classic while staying true to the original. Through this process, he offers lessons in adaptation, expert tips on future-proofing, and a strategic approach to design that extends a hit product’s lifespan, so it can continue to captivate users across generations.

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro

01:32 - The early days of gaming

03:50 - Designing to improve gameplay

11:32 - Where it went south

17:30 - Lessons in legacy

20:55 - "Change but not too much"

26:32 - Where AI can help

29:30 - Predictions for 2025