It started with a joke…
Welcome back to another Miketendo64 interview and today, we are once again joined by NAISU, talking about the upcoming Mokoko X. In the second part of our mini-series of Mokoko X interviews, we discussed cut content and more and now we’re back at it again, to talk about an old Turkish joke, and other notable tidbits, but first, let’s welcome back Göksan Güner:
Naisu (Nice) to meet you, Göksan:
Miketendo64: Before we dive right into the probing questions, we always like to start things off nice and light. Therefore, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Göksan Güner: My name is Göksan, since from the elementary school I’ve wanted to make games. That’s why I majored in computer science. After I graduated, I started to work for companies making mobile games. I didn’t like it. I had no money. I thought instead of making a bad FPS, if I make a good jigsaw puzzle game it would be better. I did that while working in a mobile game company, which kickstarted me and I’ve become a full-time indie developer.
Before going full time indie, all the projects I’ve participated in for other companies failed badly by the way. I focused on cheap but good for its price games, always kept close contact with the players.
Doing that eventually made me earn more and I eventually released Mokoko X. I would have earned more if I were to work in some big game company for sure instead of insisting on staying indie. Each time I’ve just earned enough to expand one more step with my games.
Miketendo64: And now to follow-up, what is your role at NAISU and what is the extent of your involvement with Mokoko X?
Göksan Güner: I am the founder of NAISU, I can say that I am a still semi solo developer. I haven’t had the production money to make the games I wanted. The most important thing I did correct was knowing my strength. I have never underestimated or overestimated myself, I’ve made all the games knowing if I were able.
After I had started getting bored with jigsaw puzzle games, I did a small Kickstarter for Mokoko. We were able to collect around €2,000. Although, it may seem a small amount of money, it changed my life. Not because it is a large amount of money, but I’ve seen that some people approve of our work. We released Mokoko with very little production funding.
Then, after I got a permit from consoles for Mokoko, I decided to make Mokoko as I wanted with more economical freedom. So instead of releasing Mokoko immediately to consoles, I decided to make Mokoko X as a remake and then releasing it to consoles. The money I’ve earned from Mokoko, I spent more for Mokoko X as a remake. Because I had always thought Mokoko lacked the quality that it deserved. Mokoko X has around 15 times more production expanses than Mokoko. I can say that it is not a quick cash grab that many remakes or remasters do.
Joking around with Mokoko X:
Miketendo64: Mokoko X is an interesting title for a game. What prompted you to choose this name over any other possible title you could have chosen and what does Mokoko mean?
Göksan Güner: Mokoko is a one of the most classic Turkish jokes. We are telling the joke of Mokoko part by part after completing each chapter the game has to offer. Actually, we present it without any connection to the characters and their stories, but the game is weird and absurd, so I see no problem with that presentation.
Miketendo64: It is said that Mokoko X took inspiration from arcade games from the 1980s and the 1990s. Are there any games in particular for said inspiration?
Göksan Güner: I am not old enough for Qix, Volfied is the main reason I’ve wanted to make this game. To be honest, I didn’t know Gals Panic, which is the closest to Mokoko X. Well, I knew the old arcade games that some girl becoming more revealing by passing the levels but at first, I’d thought it would be good to make a game with revealing a girl with Volfied mechanics. This moment happened at the very early stages of the game and I eventually learned about Gals Panic. I believe we did a good job of carrying on the genre that has been inactive for many years.
Miketendo64: With such a bizarre contrast of characters, stories, missions and absurd enemies, there are plenty of interesting ideas to go around. Any chance you could give us some insight into the ideas that didn’t make the cut and how you went about choosing the ones you did use?
Göksan Güner: I find insects and sea creatures amusing/alienish, I watch documentaries about them a lot. That’s why there are many levels with them.
Miketendo64: There are a lot of games that seem to feature anime girls in a more risqué setting. That is not quite the case with Mokoko X. Was there any temptation to follow the flow or did you always have a more refined setting?
Göksan Güner: I find myself in between west and east. I love both cultures and their products. That is why my company name is NAISU (nice with stereotypical Japanese accent). I don’t follow the flow.
About Mokoko X:
About – Mokoko X was inspired from the arcade games from 1980s and 1990s, a popular gaming style back in the time. Mokoko X looks to resurrect the soul of the arcade genre while adding a modern touch. There are 32 levels in Mokoko X; each level has its own unique boss and minions. The main goal is assisting the unlucky girls that need help from the weird bosses. This is sometimes passing a mobile game level, sometimes helping out with the insects in the kitchen.
Gameplay – The main goal is conquering the bigger portion of the screen. While you are in your own area, you are safe from the enemies until your shield depletes. You conquer new areas by drawing out of your area. Drawing, however, deactivates your shield and exposes you to danger. Your shield decreases constantly. If you do not conquer at a certain frequency, your shield will burn out and you will not be safe on your own areas as well. There are 3 difficulties in the game. The difficulty affects enemies, your shield, and the required conquered area percentage for the victory.
Key Features:
- 8 unlucky girls in need of help
- 32 levels with unique bosses and minions
- Absurd stories that will reveal details about the bosses and the girls
- Fully animated, Japanese and English voice overs for all the characters!
- Lovely graphics!
- Traps, towers, crates and bonus effects
- Arcade Mode
- Live high scores displayed for hardcore players
- Nostalgia remastered!
Stories – Have you ever asked these questions to yourself:
- How do you stop a heartless but not soulless emperor?
- Can someone be a gyroscope and a guard dog at the same time?
- Why do those ducks attack us?
- Are there really demonic headphones in the world?
- Why do lizardmen need a plastic toy for summoning their god?
- How do you become a villain after revolting against the ant queen?
- What do scientists want from Albert the wonderful sea creature?
Well, Mokoko X answers all these questions and more!
Here are some missions!:
- Help out Iren with her arachnophobia and fight with the imaginary spider Mr. Fyodorov.
- Protect Issa’s house from getting pillaged by the ghost pirates stuck inside the anchors. They were not the bane of Seven Seas – the crew was killed in their first naval battle.
- Toru wished to be a mosquito to annoy people. A local witch heard him, and transformed him into a mosquito. Now he causes trouble to people every night.
Fight against the weird enemies… and learn about their absurd stories!
The whole family can go on a spacey adventure; with its non-violent gameplay, incredible story, logical puzzles, and easy controls, Dexter and gang are sure to jump off the screen and into your heart.
Mokoko X releases on Nintendo Switch on April 7, 2022 and for those of you who spent the last couple of days following these mini-interviews, we thank you for your time.
