Welcome to our first Member Highlight! Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the creative minds driving our game forward. Get ready to meet Basti, our game designer, dad-joke aficionado, and Diablo devotee!
Q: What’s your background, and how did you find your way into making games?
A: My journey into game development started 2000 when my mom gave me a Game Boy Color and Pokémon Red as a birthday gift. Back then, I didn’t know you could save your progress, so I restarted the game several times a day—but it was still so much fun! Over the years, my love for games grew, especially as I got into competitive gaming. Diablo 3 and Overwatch played a big role in sparking my fascination with game mechanics and numbers.
When I learned that I could study game development – specifically game design – I knew that’s what I wanted to do. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made because it led me to the incredible team I’m working with today.
Q: What entertainment media inspire you the most when making games?
A: The Diablo series is definitely the biggest inspiration for me when it comes to games. Its atmosphere, mechanics, and mathmatical depth are just incredible. For movies, I’d say The Lord of the Rings. That world-building is unmatched and by far my favorite movie! As for books, I’d pick The Clan of the Otori series – it has such a beautifully written story with a great balance of realism and fantasy.
Q: What’s your favorite game?
A: Besides Diablo III and Overwatch, my favorite game by far is Magic: The Gathering. I love the strategic depth, creativity, and social experience of a paper card game. The collecting aspect is also a big draw, as building and curating decks is incredibly satisfying. I play a lot of Commander, enjoying the social, chaotic nature of the format, and constructed formats, where building decks with the card you pulled challenge me creatively.
Magic has also made me a better game designer. It’s taught me how to balance mechanics, design meaningful interactions, and build systems that engage players long-term. Overall, Magic combines personal expression with strategic depth, making it a favorite and an invaluable influence on my work as a game designer.
Q: What else do you enjoy?
A: When it comes to spending my free time, I like to keep things simple yet meaningful. Whether it’s heading out with friends for a fun evening or staying in on a cozy Sunday to catch the latest Formula 1 race, I savor every moment.
I’m a big foodie at heart. While I’ll try almost anything, I have to admit there are two things I just can’t get behind: sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Honestly, to me, they’re pretty much the same thing anyway!
In general, I’m a laid-back person who enjoys chill activities that let me relax and recharge. I especially love experiences that inspire me, like visiting museums or wandering through nature. These simple pleasures fuel my creativity and give me a sense of peace.
Q: What’s a fact about you that everyone knows?
A: My dad jokes! They’re always great – never annoying, not even a little bit. Everyone loves them, I promise. (No need to ask the team for verification…)
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of your work?
A: Without a doubt, working with the people on this team. Collaborating with such talented and passionate individuals is amazing. I love discussing every aspect of the game’s design and watching it slowly take shape. It’s incredibly rewarding to see ideas evolve over time into something real, and I’m looking forward to having these discussions with our
community in the future!
Q: What’s the most challenging or most exciting task you’ve tackled so far?
A: Level design is a challenging task on its own, but doing it for the style of game we’re creating has been the hardest – and most fun – thing I’ve done so far. I can’t reveal too much right now, but when you see the game, you’ll understand why it’s such a unique challenge.
Q: What’s been your favorite moment so far?
A: Moving into our own office. It still feels surreal! I’m so happy we found such a great space to work on our game together. It’s a big step that makes everything feel even more serious.
Q: How are you working with everyone on the team?
A: Collaborating with the team has been nothing less than amazing.
With Nico, one of our programmers, I dive deep into game design discussions and explore how we can implement ideas technically. Those conversations are so valuable
for creating a great game.
With Jan, our artist, I talk about how art and narrative come together. We’re constantly shaping both to ensure they complement each other perfectly. We especially love to talk about the bad guys and their visuals.
David, our second programmer and VFX expert, and I focus a lot on player usability. We want the game to reflect our vision as closely as possible, making sure it’s fun and intuitive for players. (Also, he absolutely loves my dad jokes – just saying!)
Final Thoughts
It’s been an incredible journey so far, and Basti’s empathic nature, unique take on game design, and sense of humor (yes, those dad jokes!) make him an invaluable part of our team. We’re so excited to share more of our game and the amazing work Basti and the team are doing.
Stay tuned for more updates and team highlights – and maybe a sneak peek at the game’s level design challenges. 😉
Ask Me Anything
Curious to know more about Basti’s journey, game design philosophy, or (dare we say) his dad jokes? Now’s your chance!
Basti is hosting an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on our official Discord server right now.
Bring your questions about game design, his miserably journey as a competitive player or even his favorite Pokémon—Basti is ready to chat with you! We can’t wait to see you there!
