How Unity and Early Access Contributed to Dave the Diver's Success as a Top Indie Game of 2023

Dave the Diver is one of the year's most notable indie successes. Developed by MINTROCKET, the game requires players to dive for fish to stock a sushi restaurant, involving resource collection, crafting, battling underwater creatures, completing quests, and managing the eatery. This unique blend sets it apart. The concept was inspired by a Japanese pub on Jeju Island that serves fish caught by the owner in the morning, and a manga called 'Blue Hole' about a mysterious underwater hole. Director Jaeho Hwang at MINTROCKET explains, 'I thought the idea of a giant, mysterious hole in the sea was really cool and wanted to create a game around it.' The game has achieved significant critical acclaim with a Metacritic score of 89 and an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating from over 45,000 players on Steam. Within ten days of its release, it sold one million units worldwide. Hwang attributes the game's success to its unique concept, lighthearted humor, and intuitive gameplay. However, balancing the various elements was a significant challenge. 'Since we included many different elements, it was hard to balance everything,' Hwang admits. The team overcame obstacles with the help of Unity engineers and by utilizing the Unity Asset Store and plugins like Odin Inspector. The game's success is also attributed to its time in Early Access, which lasted eight months. This period allowed the developers to understand player preferences and make necessary adjustments. Hwang concludes, 'Once the game is out, you're essentially making it with the players.'