Developer Interview: Nif Nif
Recently, I was contacted about checking out the Kickstarter for a game called Nif Nif — a family-friendly roguelike deckbuilder that I had seen during one of the many Steam events! I immediately recognised it from my wishlist, and my original excitement for the interview skyrocketed as I learned about Masha, the game's director, as her background was fascinating and inspiring. If you'd like to learn more in-depth about the game, you could check out my Kickstarter Highlight article, where I talk about the gameplay aspects! Unfortunately, the campaign is already over. But without further ado, here's my interview with Masha.
Introduction. Tell us about yourself!
Hi there! I'm Masha, a lifelong gamer with a passion for turn-based strategy games. I'm also a mom of two. After a career change three years ago, I gathered a team, and we created Nif Nif!
How did the inspiration for Nif Nif come to be?
My love for strategy games inspired Nif Nif. When my kids watched me play Slay the Spire, I realised there weren't many accessible and forgiving options for younger players. I decided to create a more relaxed deckbuilder that would appeal to a wider audience.
What made you choose the themes and protagonist that you did (i.e. cleaning and a piglet!)?
Seeking a non-violent alternative, I brainstormed with my daughter and came up with the cleaning concept. My son's sensitivity to violence influenced our decision. As for the piglet, living in Hong Kong for over a decade, I've come to appreciate the positive cultural significance of pigs in China. My favourite Chinese character, meaning "family", features a pig under a roof.
What sort of challenges did you encounter trying to make a roguelike deckbuilder kid-friendly but still challenging and entertaining for adults?
Deckbuilders are awesome as a genre, but the difficulty curve and punishment you get from the games aimed at a mature audience [aren't] for everyone. Balancing accessibility and challenge in a deckbuilder can be tricky. We focused on a gradual learning curve, shorter loops, and a more forgiving experience compared to traditional deckbuilders. The challenge lies in ensuring players can progress while still enjoying the strategic depth of the genre.
How did you come to the realisation that you wanted to become a game developer and try to make the titles available to children, too?
I've always been a passionate gamer, and I've always dreamed of creating my own games. After years of working in the corporate world, I realised it wasn't for me; I felt like an outsider. Gaming felt like a natural fit. I've been playing games since I was a kid, and I've even tried my hand at making some myself using Unity. Having to temporarily move back to France for my children during the pandemic restrictions in Hong Kong made me take the plunge and pursue my dream of becoming a game developer.
How have your years of working in education helped you as a game developer?
Education often focuses on teaching content rather than effective learning strategies. As a teacher trainer, I specialised in immersive learning and in using games to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. I believe that motivation is key to learning, and games offer a fun and engaging way to foster it. Raph Koster's Theory of Fun in Game Design highlights the connection between learning and fun. As a game creator, I aim to offer [titles] that teach valuable skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, while also being enjoyable and accessible.
How has Nif Nif changed from the original concept? Anything you had to let go of?
Nif Nif's development process involved an Agile methodology, allowing us to iterate and improve upon the MVP. While we didn't have time to implement all our initial ideas yet, we're proud of the game's current state
Considering the team comes from so many different parts of the world, how did you find one another and discover you share a passion?
Our team is a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds. Some are lifelong friends, while others [are] colleagues or classmates. We also hired remotely around the world, testing potential team members on freelance projects before bringing them on full-time.
Why was Nif Nif the game you decided to begin your game developer career with?
Nif Nif was a natural choice for our debut project due to our familiarity with the roguelike deckbuilder genre. This type of game is relatively accessible to develop in terms of time and skill requirements, making it a suitable starting point for our team.
What can you tell us about your process, considering you've had to balance the game for kids, too?
Kids are surprisingly insightful testers. Our team, including our children and their friends, provided invaluable feedback throughout development. The most rewarding moments were when they asked to play again or inquired about the release date, especially considering their exposure to popular modern games.
Can you tell us a bit about the process of starting a Kickstarter, and how it's felt for you and the team?
Launching a Kickstarter campaign is challenging, requiring extensive planning and promotion. It's been stressful but rewarding. The campaign has helped us better understand our audience and prepare for the game's release.
Bonus Questions!
If Nif Nif couldn't have been a pig, what animal would you have chosen?
It had to be a pig! Pigs get a bad rap, but they're actually quite intelligent and social creatures. Piglets are especially adorable, and I think they're the perfect mascot for a game like this. If I had to pick another animal that is smart, super cute, and misunderstood, it would definitely be a rat. That's why we have a few of them in the game ;).
If you had to appear in the game, what animal would you be?
I'd be an octopus. They're fascinating creatures with so much depth. Unfortunately, we're focusing on freshwater environments for now. Maybe an octopus could be a character in a future game? Meanwhile, I'd be fine being the rat; it's my Chinese zodiac sign!
Thank you so much for reading, and a big thanks to Springfox Games for the opportunity. Don't forget to check out Nif Nif on Steam and follow the game on Xto never miss an update!
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