M64 Focus | Erin Jungjohann (Game Designer) -

Erin Jungjohann: (Game Designer)

Name/Known Alias: Erin Jungjohann.

Occupation: Game Designer at The Behemoth.

Best Known for/Notable Works: BattleBlock Theater, Pit People, Alien Hominid Invasion.

Fun Fact: I’m going to pass this along to my daughter, whose Fun Fact is that she is the voice for the wish-granting, balloon-flying Speckled Horse in Pit People. Late in development, we wanted a voice that was pure and just a little ethereal. She was five at the time, and I have to say, she killed it.

How did you make your break into the industry: I grew up inventing role-playing games to play with my friends, so when one of those friends asked whether I’d prefer running game master events for Everquest over waiting tables, it was a pretty easy call to make. After 10 years of bug testing and community events, working on everything from PlayStation to Nokia’s, I “right-place, right-timed” my way to The Behemoth just as they were gearing up for BattleBlock Theater.

Favourite Projects to have Worked on: That’s tough, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Pit People ends up being the most unique project I have in game dev. What stories can’t you tell in a world with robots, trolls, cupcakes and giant space bears? It was like coming up with 200 SNL sketches set in the world of Adventure Time, but better.

Hardest Projects to have Worked on: I started working at The Behemoth long after Alien Hominid, and I knew how much affection there was for it. Figuring out the algorithms to support Alien Hominid Invasion’s rogue-like elements was one thing, but I would have been crushed if the story had disappointed the players who’d grown up with those characters. Thankfully, the reception has been heartfelt and wonderful.

Currently Working on: It’s a secret, but to the tune of, “It’s a Secret!”

Currently Playing: Pacific Drive.

Currently Watching: Fallout.

Defining Career Moment: Realizing, “hey, I’m pretty good at this!” after spending a few lunch breaks making BattleBlock Theater levels just for fun.

Throughout your career, of the many things you have since learned, is there anything you wish you knew at the beginning: That it’s okay to grow creatively in your own scattered way.

Don’t feel bad about working on a dozen projects at once, a little bit at a time. Don’t worry about jumping around in an industry when you can’t know what experience might help you in ways you’d never, ever predict.

If you had the opportunity to work with any IP, what would it be: Delicious in Dungeon! Wizardry + Cooking Mama needs its own genre immediately.

Is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet, but would like to: Nikki Valens is a tabletop game designer who specializes in creating the most absurdly beautiful narrative puzzle-boxes. Artisans of Splendent Vale and Legacy of Dragonholt are both masterpieces, and to be honest, I’m really just looking for an excuse to gush and ask them a million questions.

For fans of your work, who’d like to get in touch and stay up to date with all the latest news, what are the best places for them to reach you on: The Behemoth are on all major socials and have a mailing list: