Could you introduce yourselves, tell us your names, roles, backgrounds, and how you came to form Panik Arcade?
We are Matteo and Lorenzo, two Italian friends who started making games in 2019 after knowing each other in a private school about art and programming. Matteo has been making games for a while now, 10+ years, and Lorenzo has been a comic artist first for a similar amount of time, and a 3d artist and animator since 2020. While we released a couple of smaller games toghether, Panik Arcade came to be with Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom, a 3d platformer about a spring loaded taxi on steroids.
What was the spark that led you to create CloverPit?
We both played a lot of Balatro, and were considering making an horror game for a while. We also love the ps1 art style so it was sort of a natural outcome of where we were with our minds at that time
CloverPit blends gambling mechanics, horror atmosphere and roguelite progression, how did you balance those elements in design?
We kept balancing luck and player’s agency for the whole development of the game, from the beginning to the end. The trick is to build up value on the slot machine, to keep players anticipating for better results, while also gradually scaling the deadline. Powerups also have to feel somehow worth buying in the store and that feeling kept changing during development as we added more mechanics and increased the pool of charms
Alright, a few months ago you were “just another” small indie team.
Now you’re the team behind a million-selling hit. What’s the weirdest or funniest side-effect of that sudden spotlight? Is your life changed?
We are still the same as before hahahaha, we still cannot believe it, and we aren’t sure what’s next. Small steps, small steps!!!
What’s next for Panik Arcade (or for CloverPit)?
Are there plans for additional content, expansions, or maybe a totally different project?
We are actively working on fixes and updates, and we have also announced a DLC which will take some time to develop. While we have no other games in the garage, we are going to continue making games after CloverPit