By: by: Tussii Stauffer

How did you get into game development?

Ever since I was little, I have been a handful.  I am constantly humming to myself, drawing on everything, making flipbooks (about exploding ducks), or driving my friends up the wall by drumming on their tables.  Game dev is the most exciting way for me to let some of that fidgety creative energy bubble out.

What inspired you to make a game about cat collection? 

My wife and I have been looking for rentals lately and we noticed that a lot of rentals don’t allow any pets.  When I was brainstorming ideas with her for a game jam project, we thought it would be funny if I made a game about a cat hoarder in a world where cats are forbidden.  Also, I wanted to make a game where my “target audience” is my wife and her favorite game is Katamari Damacy.  So in a way, I guess it’s sort of poking fun at a societal norm while also being a love letter to my wife and, to many of the great indie games that have inspired me today (Katamari, Untitled Goose Game, Donut Count, and a handful of others).  

What would you say is the hardest part about game development? How about the easiest part?

I have a dog who loves cat toys.  Her favorite one is this long stick with a bell and some feathers on the end.  When she chases that cat toy nothing in the world slows her down.  She’ll smash right into the corner of a sharp table full force and keep chasing the cat toy without flinching.  That’s how I am with game development.  

The easiest part for me is probably coding.  I really love coding.  The highs of feeling like I can accomplish anything and the lows of feeling like an idiot squirrel clacking frantically on a keyboard.  There’s something really refreshing about knowing that there is always an answer to a problem.  Even if I’m having a hard time finding the answer.

What is your long-term goal for CAT CAPACITY?

If it does well, my long-term goal is to continue to put out major content updates while attending school for computer science.  If it does REALLY well, I’d like to put it on consoles and add more features.  

Independent games are one of the staples of video gaming, in my opinion. Do you have any other indie devs you’d like to shout out?

Just to name a few who I’m really excited about right now are @jeffaramos  @Icehelmet @TwoDogGames1 @Devin_Santi @15MinutesOfGame @CrazyRetroGame1 

But that barely scratches the surface.  There are so many amazing indie devs doing incredible work right now.  

What would you say to someone who would like to learn how to make games such as yours?

Don’t take yourself too seriously!  Making games is fun and if you’re not having fun it shows in your work.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

All rentals should allow pets!