Development
Timeline.
From game jam prototype to full development. Every milestone documented, every decision recorded.
XenoEtiquette was born at a game jam — an asymmetric co-op concept about alien communication that immediately revealed its comedic potential. It all started with 7 of us in the room. And one ancient anomaly.
- Niklas Malinen — Lead Programmer
- Lassi Vapaakallio — Senior Game Designer
- Soham Sen — Game Designer
- Fiona Keil — Art Direction, 2D Artist
- Elena Chebannaya — 3D Artist, UI Designer
- Leo Krechmer — Producer
- Mariia Makushina — Marketing & Business
- Opabinia — Ancient Diplomatic Anomaly
Selected for Espoo Game Lab (EGL), a Finnish game development accelerator, giving the team structured support to validate and develop the concept further. What started as 7 people at a game jam was now a focused core team of 3 — plus one ancient anomaly.
- Fiona Keil — Artist & Co-Designer
- Niklas Malinen — Lead Programmer & Co-Designer
- Mariia Makushina — Marketing & Partnerships
- Opabinia — Ancient Diplomatic Anomaly
The first concept prototype.
The first fully playable prototype, expanding on the concept with complete asymmetric roles, alien species, and communication mechanics. Our party just got a new character — we're excited to welcome Miro Aurela to the team as our new Producer & Co-Designer!
- Miro Aurela — Producer & Co-Designer
XenoEtiquette was showcased at Media Demo Day, receiving its first attention and player feedback from a public audience.
Had a Demo corner at Games First by Supercell — receiving its first attention and player feedback from a public audience.
An improved playable prototype incorporating feedback from playtesting, refining mechanics, puzzle balance, and the co-op communication experience. We finished 2nd overall among 10 teams and received two special recognitions:
- Best Pitch
- Most Fun
Opening registration for the first structured playtest. The Bureau is now accepting civilian field observer applications.
The Bureau has officially opened a new broadcast channel. Development logs, field observations, playtest evidence, and other transmissions from the XenoEtiquette programme are now being documented on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@XenoetiquetteGame
XenoEtiquette headed to the IGDA Helsinki August Meetup, supported by Supercell — our very first IGDA Helsinki event!
We decided to make our debut count: we applied for the Demo Corner for the very first time — and got a spot. 👽🎮
📋 Official playtest statistics:
🎮 6 main game playtests 🕹️ 1 mini web game playtest 👥 15 players in total ✨ 14 first-time recruits 🔁 1 returning human who had previously encountered XenoEtiquette at Aalto Demo Day
New Bureau hypothesis unlocked: XenoEtiquette might have some serious potential as a game for groups. 👀
We also heard something particularly important several times throughout the evening: players found the concept unique.
Steam page launch and wishlist campaign to build the pre-launch audience before the game's release.
XenoEtiquette launches on Steam. Earth's cultural orientation programme begins in earnest.