Essay Games Footnotes | March
Hi friend,
Steam Next Fest has come to an end.
This was a big moment for Bundle of Joy in the run-up to the game’s launch at the end of this month (I hope March 25th is prominently circled on your calendars / tattooed to the inside of your eyelids) - so I thought I’d use this month’s Footnotes (the last before release!) to collate some of the responses and reactions.
The Verge
“What I loved about this demo was the sweetness and empathy with which it treats its subject matter. I don’t have kids (yet), but there was something about being asked to input my skin tone, my partner’s skin tone, and my baby’s skin tone that just got me.”
Ash Parrish really gets what I’m trying to do with BoJ. Her generous words and thoughtful take on the demo were so encouraging and nearly brought me to tears. Next Fest can sometimes be a bit of a slog: you’re competing with a lot of amazing games for limited attention. But seeing this article made it all feel worth it.
Tiny-Gaming.net
“It felt all very... earnest. You can definitely see that the folks behind this title really wanted to share their experiences, and for me, that means a lot - the best games come when the people behind them are so involved with the, hah, source material.”
What I loved about Tiny-Gaming’s perspective is that they flat out say that the subject matter isn’t something that personally resonates with them, but that regardless of that they still found BoJ relatable, thoughtful, and fun. They focused on gameplay, which has always been so important for me, and so I really appreciate their coverage and input.
The Guardian
“[The thoughts and feelings that show up] touch on many of the complex feelings that early parenthood excavates from your marrow: not just the exhaustion, joy and tedium of the moment, not just the self-doubt, but how you feel about your own parents and the way that you form relationships.”
Keza MacDonald knows exactly what it’s like raising kiddos during stressful times. In her wonderful article, she compares the minigames of BoJ to her personal experiences (and traumas!). By honing in on the somber moments of the introspective inner monologue, she highlights some of the bittersweet sides of the game. Though there’s lots of JOY in Bundle of Joy (lol), there are also moments of critical self-reflection. Keza’s observations showcase the delicate balance I’m crafting with the work and I’m so grateful for her keen insights.
Elsewhere, I saw some streamers and YouTubers sharing the game with their audiences and communities to much fanfare and excitement. I think the game does really well when playing with others. Whether that’s a close friend, a life partner, a family member, an unruly tike, or an adoring chat, BoJ shines when it’s a shared experience.
With that in mind, please help me spread the word as we finalize the last bits and bobs before release!
That’s Next Fest in the bag, then.
Next stop: launch! <~~NERVOUS LAUGH~~>
Nicholas
Essay Games