Netspeak Games: Revolutionizing the Gaming Experience by Empowering Players

Netspeak Games embarked on its journey in 2021, but the type of game it would develop was still uncertain. "Our primary goals were to create a multiplayer experience, ensure cross-platform compatibility, and utilize Unreal Engine," CEO Callum Cooper-Brighting revealed to GamesIndustry.biz. "These were the core 'constraints' we imposed on ourselves." The decision to develop a 'cozy game' like Sunshine Days, however, was not made instinctively. "Following an extensive market research phase and numerous interviews conducted from my sofa, we opted for a mobile-first approach, focusing on casual yet mid-core elements," he explained. "Our vision was to craft a safe online space where individuals could connect, share common interests, and appreciate their differences. We aimed to create an environment that was not only accessible but also offered engaging gameplay, bringing people together." Cooper-Brighting acknowledged that games like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Dreams inspired the user options within Sunshine Days. "These games demonstrate that when you design a relaxing, accessible, and wholesome world that values players' time, they are more inclined to express themselves. By providing players with even the smallest degree of control, we witnessed them taking ownership and running with it. We recognized early on that our community was incredibly creative and dedicated," he added. The executive noted that the most challenging aspect of game development was adapting the game to create a more welcoming experience for players. Cooper-Brighting elaborated, "The most compelling challenges are always related to onboarding and setting expectations with our audience about the world we've created. Initially, we would immediately immerse players in social spaces, similar to the MMOs we grew up playing. However, we soon learned that this approach could be overwhelming and quickly shift from relaxing to stressful. "Now, we introduce the game's multiplayer aspects gradually, allowing players to set their own pace and ensuring their first interaction with another player is always positive." While Netspeak Games prioritizes providing a positive user experience, it also aims to expand Sunshine Days' user base and differentiate itself from other cozy titles. One such effort is the upcoming release of Sunshine Days on PC, along with the introduction of a creation mode exclusive to the PC version. This feature enables players to customize homes and share them with each other. "We sought to provide players with more control and a means to express themselves better, and PC was the natural choice. We don't want to fragment the community, so it was essential for PC and mobile players to interact seamlessly, allowing everyone to benefit from the tools..." he added, "In the future, we'd love to consider bringing the creator features to other platforms, beyond mobile. We're starting with PC, as a small team managing an MMO, we must be mindful of our scope." The introduction of creator mode on PC also serves as another test for the studio. "Currently, the game consists mainly of spaces we built for players, but over the next twelve months, we aim to shift the balance so players spend more time in spaces they created," Cooper-Brighting said. "Creator mode is crucial in achieving this. Every time we've introduced features that enable player creativity, even to a small extent, we've seen players take it and run with it. We're embracing this approach." The Netspeak Games CEO emphasized that while a PC version of Sunshine Days will likely grow its user base, it will not become the studio's primary platform of focus, as Netspeak is a mobile-first game developer. A console release is also a possibility the studio would consider in the future. "Our broader vision for Sunshine Days is to build a world that players want to spend time in," he explained. "Part of this involves providing players with the tools to contribute to the world's development themselves. Our content roadmap and release schedule are designed to deliver on this promise, but over the last few years of development, we've come to realize the importance of viewing players as collaborators rather than consumers." Just as the company conducted market research before deciding to develop a cozy game, Cooper-Brighting stated that Netspeak isn't improvising when it comes to content updates and the development roadmap. "We maintain a close relationship with our community through Discord and continue to conduct research to understand what our players are looking for," Cooper-Brighting said. "Our content roadmap is well-defined, delivering both core game content and a calendar of live events. Our update history demonstrates the significant amount of content the team has delivered." The cozy game market is currently bustling, with the Wholesome Games Direct showcasing over 70 titles in June. Despite the intense competition, Netspeak's CEO remains unfazed, focusing instead on maintaining and growing the player base. He explained, "The market expansion, where multiplayer games aren't solely about combat and competition, indicates a strong market appetite. As a business, we focus on players, not other games. As players ourselves, we're excited to have numerous options to choose from." When asked about the future of cozy games, Cooper-Brighting expressed his belief in the genre's longevity and continued growth. "The gaming market is highly diverse and continues to expand. We believe the most significant shift in games right now is a change in how we think about player needs and a growing recognition that safe, accessible, cozy experiences cater to a genuine set of audience needs."