Nick Kaman
Reporting and statements that mention Nick Kaman.
Latest coverage
Peak's success helped Aggro Crab commit to co-op, says studio head: 'We thought we were a character action…
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman stated that the success of their game Peak, developed in collaboration with Landfall Games, has shifted the studio's focus towards co-op experiences. Previously considering themselves a character action studio, the positive reception and energy gained from Peak and Content Warning have led them to explore social game mechanics further in their upcoming title, Crashout Crew.
Peak boss doesn't mind us calling it friendslop: 'Why not make a game where the point is to hang out with your…
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman discusses the term 'friendslop,' a label for inexpensive co-op games focused on social interaction. Kaman embraces the term, seeing it as a useful descriptor for a genre that gained prominence following COVID-19, with games like Peak, Among Us, and Lethal Company facilitating social connections through gameplay.
After Peak's Success, Its Devs Face Burnout and Big Decisions
This article examines the challenges faced by indie developers after achieving unexpected success, using examples like Aggro Crab's Peak and Kinetic Games' Phasmophobia. It highlights how sudden popularity can lead to burnout and pressure to meet player expectations for ongoing content, often diverging from the developers' original vision and resources.
Peak's new update gives you the keys to the climb with a suite of custom settings, including the option to turn on…
The 'Play It Your Way Update' for Peak is now available, introducing custom settings that allow players to modify gameplay elements like weather and hazards. These custom expeditions are separate from the main mode and do not award badges, featuring options like an unlimited grapple mode. The update also includes mini runs for shorter play sessions and campfires that save progress, with developers Aggro Crab and Landfall hinting at future additions to the custom expedition menu.
'Text is evil:' How making Peak changed indie studio Aggro Crab
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman discussed how the rapid development of their hit game Peak, co-created with Landfall Games, led to a reevaluation of the studio's internal processes. Kaman highlighted Landfall's 'cowboy development' approach, characterized by minimal friction and spontaneous communication, as a key influence. This experience inspired Aggro Crab to adopt more fluid communication methods and trust in their team, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and productive development environment.
Peak co-developer Aggro Crab shares lessons in friendslop
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman shared insights into the game development process, humorously likening level design to 'throwing rocks at the wall and praying.' The studio is known for its 'friendslop' genre, focusing on cooperative gameplay experiences.
Dev behind the hottest friendslop game of 2025 has no problem with the divisive term and says it "all the time" — "What's so bad about hanging out with your friends and playing games"
Peak co-creator Nick Kaman embraces the term "friendslop" for his game, stating he uses it frequently and sees no issue with it. He questions the negative connotations of the term, suggesting it simply describes the act of playing games with friends.
The Inexplicable Features Of Peak, Explained
Aggro Crab studio head Nick Kaman discussed the development of their hit game Peak at the Game Developers Conference, explaining the reasoning behind its unique features and rapid development cycle. Kaman highlighted inspirations like Fortnite concerts and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while also emphasizing the importance of scoping projects effectively.
Peak devs originally borrowed from Zelda Breath of the Wild's climbing, but "everything changed" 1 week into development: "At this point, the game kind of made itself"
The chaotic multiplayer climbing game Peak initially drew inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's climbing mechanics. However, development shifted dramatically one week in, with the core gameplay loop of managing a stamina bar for climbing becoming the central focus, leading the game to 'make itself'.
Peak co-developer Aggro Crab shares lessons in friendslop
Nick Kaman, studio head of Aggro Crab, shared insights on creating cooperative games, or 'friendslop,' using their title Peak as an example. Key design elements include mandatory social interaction for progression, first-person cameras to enhance role-playing, and unique approaches to map generation and player death that encourage continued communication.
"Whoever sells more copies pays for the other's therapy": Peak came about after a bet between Content Warning and Another Crab's Treasure leads, and ironically the friendslop collab that followed sold more than both games combined
A collaboration between Landfall Games' Content Warning and Aggro Crab's Another Crab's Treasure, born from a bet between their lead developers, has resulted in a joint game that has outsold both individual titles. The developers discussed the rapid development of Content Warning compared to the longer development cycle of Another Crab's Treasure.
