The path to fame for Infinity Nikki was a ‘journey of healing’ for its developers.

      Back in November, we anticipated that Infinity Nikki could emerge as one of the standout games of 2024. That prediction turned out to be accurate, as the free-to-play, open-world adventure from Papergames and Infold Games has since broken records, attracting millions of players and achieving numerous milestones.

      However, the development of Infinity Nikki encountered challenges, particularly during the pandemic. While the creators of the series had previously developed several successful mobile games, this marked their first Nikki title for PCs and consoles. Even an experienced team like Papergames had a significant task ahead of them.

      We spoke with key members of the Infinity Nikki project team — Ade, Yan Gui, Niao Niao, Hua Sheng, and Diu Diu — to discuss the initial stages of the game's conceptualization, the obstacles they encountered, and their future aspirations for fashionista Nikki and her cat-alien companion Momo.

      Digital Trends: Can you share how Infinity Nikki was initially conceptualized? Was there a particular moment when the team felt it was the right time to adapt the Nikki series for PC and consoles?

      Ade: The idea for Infinity Nikki surfaced during the pandemic — an uncertain time. We envisioned Infinity Nikki as a journey of ‘reconciliation’ — with oneself and the world at large.

      Gui: We aimed to preserve the series' beloved dress-up system while incorporating elements of open-world exploration and platforming. We thought about how players could guide Nikki across vast landscapes, traversing mountains and rivers, all while perfecting her outfit.

      DT: How challenging was it to transition from mobile-only games to developing one for PCs and consoles? How did the team adapt to these changes?

      Niao: Transitioning from mobile development to PC and console platforms was intricate, necessitating the team to adjust to the specific characteristics of each platform. We needed to account for key differences; mobile platforms have limited hardware, requiring highly optimized development for smooth performance, while PC and console systems offer greater power but demand enhanced graphics and more complex designs. The team had to relearn and adapt to different development tools and engines to align with these platforms' requirements.

      Sheng: Player habits were also a consideration. Mobile gamers usually prefer quick, casual experiences that can be played anywhere, while those on PC and consoles seek deeper, more immersive content. We had to modify gameplay and design to satisfy these varied player preferences while maintaining the core aspects that made the series enjoyable.

      Papergames

      DT: Given Infinity Nikki's cross-platform functionality, was it difficult to balance the experience across different platforms?

      Sheng: Yes, it was. During the initial development, we conducted extensive research and experiments on graphics rendering and performance optimization to ensure smooth gameplay across various platforms. We also examined the unique features of each device during the design phase, carrying out numerous internal and player tests to guarantee expected performance on all platforms.

      Diu: We recognize that there are ongoing challenges with mobile adaptation. Our current focus is on enhancing controls and performance for mobile devices, along with improving game stability, touch control responsiveness, and user interface (UI) optimization. We've received positive feedback from our players, which encourages us to keep progressing.

      DT: Throughout development, were you concerned that players would compare Infinity Nikki to Genshin Impact or other free-to-play open-world titles? Did you expect this comparison to happen as a way to provide a sense of familiarity?

      Ade: Given Infinity Nikki's genre and high-quality production, we anticipated it would be compared to other free-to-play open-world games like Genshin Impact. However, our focus has always been on showcasing its unique features instead of relying on a sense of familiarity. Nikki's gameplay revolves around relaxed exploration, puzzle-solving, and interactions based on outfits' abilities rather than intense combat. We also aimed to highlight themes of warmth, healing, and self-expression through the game's art and emotional tone, rather than typical progression.

      Papergames

      DT: Regarding combat, are there plans to enhance the combat system or introduce challenging encounters, or would that contradict the game's core principles?

      Ade: Reflecting back on the idea of reconciliation during the pandemic, we purposely chose not to emphasize combat. We wanted to prioritize elegant styling and environmental details. This approach encourages players to discover peace and beauty through exploration.

      Diu: Our upcoming updates will focus on enriching the traits of monsters rather than complicating combat. We believe it's crucial to maintain the game's relaxed atmosphere and core experience. Any idea that might contradict this will require careful consideration. We want players to feel happy and content as they explore, rather than tense or stressed.

      DT: Many free-to-play games seek ways to keep players engaged daily, often utilizing "fear of missing out" (FOMO). In contrast, Infinity Nikki feels more cozy and laid-back. How do you strike a balance between this approach and keeping players engaged?

      Niao: We intentionally avoided mechanisms like ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO), which can pressure players to log in. We