Making Dave the Diver Endearing with Jaeho Hwang and Nolan King
Sep 4, 2023
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Jaeho Hwang and Nolan King from MINTROCKET Games discuss the unique influences behind their game Dave the Diver, developing a relatable main character, balancing gameplay systems, and plans for future expansion.
Dave the Diver successfully merges different genres, such as diving RPG, sushi restaurant management, and adventure storytelling, into a cohesive and balanced experience.
The absence of a mini-map in Dave the Diver enhances the game's exploratory nature and immerses players in the uncharted ocean setting.
The team behind Dave the Diver overcame challenges in merging 2D and 3D elements by finding a balance between visually appealing animations and maintaining the feel of underwater creatures.
Deep dives
The Genesis of Dave the Diver and the Perfect Development Team
In this episode of the Game Maker's Notebook, Mint Rocket Game Director J. Ho Huang and game designer Nolan King discuss the origins of their breakthrough hit, Dave the Diver. They talk about the initial idea for the game, inspired by J. Ho's childhood book on underwater environments. They also share their love for games like Metal Gear Solid and Yakuza, which influenced the game's design. The team explains how they merged different genres, such as diving RPG, sushi restaurant management, and adventure storytelling, into a cohesive and balanced experience. They highlight the importance of the game's sound design, especially in creating the muffled underwater atmosphere. Despite challenges, they successfully combined 2D and 3D elements, allowing fish and characters to coexist within the same world.
Creating an Immersive Underwater Setting
The team behind Dave the Diver focused on the game's setting and environment. They aimed to capture the feeling of exploring the ocean through the ever-changing ecology and terrain of the blue hole. Inspired by real-life experiences and childhood manga, they incorporated elements like kelp forests and limestone caves into the game's underwater world. They wanted players to feel a sense of discovery and adventure with surprises waiting to be found. The absence of a mini-map contributed to the exploratory nature of the game. Despite initial resistance, they decided to maintain a sense of mystery and exploration by not providing a traditional minimap, allowing players to truly immerse themselves in the uncharted ocean setting.
Overcoming Challenges: Merging 2D and 3D, and Designing the Compelling Game Loop
One of the biggest challenges faced by the team was merging 2D and 3D elements within the game. Despite their experience in 2D game development, recreating realistic movement and interactions for fish in a 2D environment proved challenging. They had to find a balance between visually appealing animations and maintaining the feel of underwater creatures. Additionally, they needed to ensure that 2D character Dave seamlessly interacted with the 3D world. The team also discussed the difficulty of designing the game's compulsion loop, where the diving, sushi restaurant management, and adventure story all work together harmoniously. They were intentional in creating tension and decision-making moments, such as the harpoon gun's limited angles and the suffocating oxygen mechanic. Overall, they successfully overcame these challenges through collaborative effort and a deep understanding of their vision.
Importance of Mini Games and Immersion
The podcast episode discusses the significance of mini games in the game 'Dave the Diver'. The speaker emphasizes the immersive experience achieved through the inclusion of mini games, such as the one set inside the diver's helmet. These mini games provide a break from the main gameplay and add a fun element to the overall gaming experience. The simplicity and focus of these mini games, like wasabi and green, make them enjoyable and engaging for players.
Character Design and Relatability of Dave
The podcast explores the character of Dave in 'Dave the Diver'. Dave is portrayed as an everyman, relatable to a wide audience and easily identifiable. His simplicity and relatability are seen as key factors in creating a fulfilling narrative and fantasy fulfillment. The podcast highlights the deliberate design choices made for Dave, including his appearance as a slightly overweight protagonist. This choice aims to foster familiarity and allow players to see themselves or someone they know in Dave. The podcast also touches upon the positive reception of other characters like Boncho and Duff and the importance of their distinctive traits in enhancing the game's overall experience.
Adam Orth chats with Jaeho Hwang and Nolan King from MINTROCKET Games, the studio behind the hit sushi restaurant/deep sea exploration RPG, Dave the Diver. Together they discuss where the idea behind such a unique mishmash began inlcuding various influences inside and outside of games; forming the development team and pitching the game to the publisher; balancing all the gameplay systems including making diving fun and challenging; and how they went about creating an endearing and relatable main character in Dave.
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