Donut County
A puzzle game where you control a growing hole, made by Neon White's creator Ben Esposito.
Where Donut County comes up1 episode or test
- Aim: appeal to as many people as possible
- Tool: simple controls
- Aim: a few people would absolutely love
- Counter-Strike surf maps, Toonami anime
- Dreamcast aesthetics, visual novel dialogue
Strong, specific identity can matter more than broad appeal
From Ben Esposito on Donut County and Neon White
What was said about Donut County
Donut County was designed for broad appeal with simple controls. Ben Esposito built Donut County, the puzzle game where you control a growing hole, to appeal to as many people as possible. Simple controls were the tool for that.
Esposito chose the opposite approach for his next game, Neon White. He aimed for a game "a few people would absolutely love", mixing Counter-Strike surf maps, Toonami anime, Dreamcast aesthetics and visual novel dialogue. The comparison suggests a strong, specific identity can matter more than broad appeal.
How Neon White Lets You Speedrun Speedrunning
It was designed to appeal to as many people as possible with simple controls. Neon White deliberately does the opposite, aiming at a few players who will love it.
Donut County was designed for broad appeal with simple controls. Ben Esposito built Donut County, the puzzle game where you control a growing hole, to appeal to as many people as possible. Simple controls were the tool for that.
Esposito chose the opposite approach for his next game, Neon White. He aimed for a game "a few people would absolutely love", mixing Counter-Strike surf maps, Toonami anime, Dreamcast aesthetics and visual novel dialogue. The comparison suggests a strong, specific identity can matter more than broad appeal.
More in Games
GamesNintendo
A Zelda adventure where Princess Zelda copies objects and monsters as echoes to solve puzzles and fight.
GamesThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo's long-running action-adventure series about Link exploring Hyrule, solving puzzles and fighting Ganon.
GamesDead Space
A major video game publisher and the guest's employer.
G
29 sources · 94 tipsMind Over Magnet
A puzzle platformer where you escape a factory using a magnet and a magnetic field.
GamesFar Cry 2
An open world action game where you recruit and play any of London's citizens.
GamesGod of War
A combat-focused action adventure game from Santa Monica Studio with Norse mythology and light puzzles.
Mind Over Magnet
Mark Brown's first game, a puzzle game he made while learning Unity.
GamesDishonored
A first-person stealth action game from Arkane with supernatural powers and the Clockwork Mansion level.