The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Creating a Soulslike Under the Sea with Another Crab's Treasure
Aug 26, 2024
Nick Kaman, the Studio Head and Art Director at Aggro Crab Games, and Caelan Pollock, the Creative Director and Lead Writer, dive deep into their latest undersea soulslike, Another Crab's Treasure. They share how their college game design club evolved into a thriving studio and discuss the blend of challenge and accessibility in gameplay. The duo also emphasizes humor amidst darker themes and the importance of addressing climate change within their narrative. Plus, they explore community engagement and the journey from crabbing in Seattle to coding crabs!
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Dreaming of a Crab Game
- Nick had the idea for Another Crab's Treasure since college, always wanting to make a crab game.
- The original concept involved a hermit crab using trash as shells with powers, shaping the game's foundation.
Choosing Soulslike Genre
- They chose the Soulslike genre inspired by games like Sekiro to match their hermit crab hero’s mechanics.
- The genre fit well with their themes of skillful, defensive combat and environmental storytelling.
Balanced Difficulty and Accessibility
- Design difficulty to be challenging without frustrating or punishing players unfairly.
- Provide accessibility options that make the game approachable while preserving challenge for hardcore players.
