DigiGods is a sandbox game created by Squido Studio that focuses on immersion and creativity. It differentiates itself from other games in the genre with its physics-based multiplayer environment where players of all skill levels can build and collaborate without coding. Safety is a top priority, with moderation tools and safe social settings for families. The rise of platforms like Meta has influenced its development as a VR-first experience. Its tagline emphasizes creativity and collaboration, promoting meaningful connections between parents and kids through gameplay. To keep the game engaging but accessible for younger audiences, the team implemented design features such as guided tutorials and user-friendly interfaces. The game has already gained a strong community before its official release through strategic outreach and partnerships with influencers. Player customization is important to the overall experience, allowing players to express their creativity through unique avatars and environments. In a competitive industry, the biggest challenges faced during development included standing out in a crowded market, which was overcome by focusing on innovation and integrating user feedback into designs. The studio plans to expand the game’s features and continue creating innovative experiences for players in future projects like “No More Rainbows.” Find out more in this interview with TechBullion.
Please tell us more about yourself, and what inspired you to create DigiGods. How does it differentiate itself from other sandbox games like Minecraft or Roblox?
I’m David Chartrand, CEO, co-founder, and creative director of Squido Studio. My passion is game design, with immersion at the core. DigiGods differentiates itself from experiences like Minecraft and Roblox by putting immersion at the center of everything. It brings creativity and collaboration into a physics-driven multiplayer environment. Players can build from scratch by dragging and dropping without the need for coding, and it welcomes players of all skill levels to create, destroy, rebuild, and play within worlds of their imagination with ease.
With the increasing focus on safety in online gaming, can you elaborate on the specific moderation tools and safe social settings DigiGods offers families?
Safety is a top priority with DigiGods. We incorporate robust moderation tools, including AI-driven content filtering and human moderators, used by top gaming platforms to ensure a safe and positive environment. We also offer customizable privacy settings and ways for parents to control children’s interactions and feature access. Our safe social settings promote respectful behavior and enable quick reporting tools to flag inappropriate content immediately.
DigiGods is launching when mixed reality and VR experiences are becoming more mainstream. How has the rise of platforms like Meta influenced the development of your game?
Meta’s infrastructure has been critical to our success, especially with an experience as ambitious as DigiGods. The rise of mixed reality and VR platforms like Meta has significantly influenced our VR-first features in DigiGods, which push the boundaries of traditional gaming. By leveraging the latest technological advancements, we aim to provide players with a dynamic and expansive world that seamlessly integrates with emerging platforms.
The game’s tagline emphasizes creativity and collaboration. How do you envision DigiGods fostering meaningful connections between parents and kids through gameplay?
DigiGods is designed to be a platform where creativity and collaboration are at the forefront. Already in early access, we have seen parents and kids working together to build and explore new worlds, fostering a sense of teamwork and shared accomplishment. The game’s intuitive building tools and collaborative challenges encourage family bonding and create opportunities for parents and children to connect on a deeper level through play.
Physics-driven multiplayer environments can sometimes be chaotic. How did your team ensure that gameplay remains engaging yet accessible for younger audiences?
To ensure that gameplay remains engaging yet accessible, we implemented various design features that balance complexity with ease of use. Our physics engine is finely tuned to provide realistic interactions without overwhelming younger players. Additionally, we offer guided tutorials and user-friendly interfaces that help players of all ages confidently navigate the game, ensuring a fun and inclusive experience. We have more to share about the physics engine in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned!
With 15,000 daily players pre-launch, what strategies did you use to build such a strong community around DigiGods before its official release?
Building a strong community around DigiGods involved a combination of strategic outreach, engaging content, and active social media presence. We hosted beta testing events, engaged with our audience through regular updates, and collaborated with influencers to spread the word. By using community tools, especially Discord, we built a sense of anticipation and provided a platform for feedback. We were excited to build a loyal and enthusiastic player base before the official launch.
DigiGods offers drag-and-drop building without coding requirements. How do you see this feature encouraging creativity among players who may not have prior technical skills?
The drag-and-drop building feature is a cornerstone of DigiGods, designed to lower the barrier to entry and empower players to express their creativity. By removing the need for coding, we open the creative process to a broader audience, allowing players to experiment and innovate without technical constraints. This feature encourages artistic expression and provides a platform for imaginative play, regardless of prior experience.
Your holiday promotions include discounts on cosmetics and giveaways. How important is player customization to the overall DigiGods experience, and how does it tie into the theme of self-expression?
Player customization is a vital aspect of the DigiGods experience, as it allows players to personalize their avatars and environments, reflecting their unique identities. Our promotions and giveaways enhance this sense of self-expression, enabling players to showcase their creativity in new and exciting ways. We empower players to make their mark on the DigiGods universe by offering a wide range of customization options. We’ll be offering discounts and giveaways throughout the year, especially those tied to new updates and IP partnerships, so we’re excited to see players take advantage of our skins and toolsets.
The gaming industry is highly competitive, especially in the sandbox genre. What were some of the biggest challenges your team faced during development, and how did you overcome them?
One of our biggest challenges was differentiating DigiGods in a crowded market. To overcome this, we focused on creating a unique blend of creativity and collaboration backed by cutting-edge technology. We also invested heavily in user feedback, iterating on our designs to ensure they met the needs and expectations of our players. This iterative approach and a strong emphasis on innovation helped us create a game that will stand out in the sandbox genre.
What’s next for Squido Studio after DigiGods? Are there plans to expand the game’s features, or are you already exploring new projects like the continuation of No More Rainbows?
We have exciting plans for DigiGods and future projects. For DigiGods, we are expanding the game’s features, including new environments, gameplay modes, and community-driven content. We’ll be announcing some very exciting IP-driven worldbuilding very soon. Additionally, we just launched the beloved No More Rainbows series on PSVR and widened our reach. We aim to keep pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment and delivering innovative experiences to our players.
