Building an Indie Game Studio with Christoph Nakazawa

From open-source MooTools to a new JavaScript-powered indie game, Christoph Nakazawa delves into his dev journey, game design insights, and forging a Tokyo-based studio.

Episode Description

From open-source MooTools to a new JavaScript-powered indie game, Christoph Nakazawa delves into his dev journey, game design insights, and forging a Tokyo-based studio.

Episode Summary

In this episode, the hosts sit down with indie game creator and JavaScript veteran, Christoph Nakazawa, to explore his journey from contributing to pivotal open-source libraries like MooTools to founding his own game studio in Tokyo. Christoph recounts his early fascination with web development and how it led him to Facebook, where he worked on projects that helped shape modern JavaScript tooling and open-source approaches. He then discusses his decision to pivot toward building a turn-based strategy game, Athena Crisis, focusing on how he balances creativity, technical constraints, and fatherhood while pursuing his dream. Along the way, listeners will learn about the philosophies behind crafting engaging user experiences, the challenges and joys of independent game development, and the enduring impact of strong open-source communities. By the end, this conversation illuminates how personal passion, family priorities, and community-driven innovation can fuel significant, meaningful achievements in software and beyond.

Chapters

00:00 - 02:56 | Episode Start and Setting the Stage

In this opening segment, the hosts welcome listeners to JavaScript Jam and set the informal, conversational tone for the episode. They highlight how this session is uniquely recorded live in person rather than their typical internet broadcast. The hosts share a brief recap of recent activities, mentioning a past conference before introducing their special guest, Christoph Nakazawa. Christoph’s presence teases an exciting deep-dive into game development, along with discussions of his background in JavaScript and open-source work. Though these first minutes mostly cover housekeeping and general intros, they serve as an immediate invitation for listeners to join a casual yet informative conversation. There is a clear sense of anticipation as the group hints at the wide range of topics to be explored, from tech stack decisions to the nuances of running an indie studio. This short warm-up provides an energetic start and primes the audience for the insights ahead.

02:56 - 07:00 | Early Web Development and the MooTools Era

Here, Christoph formally introduces himself and takes everyone back to his roots in coding. He recalls dabbling with RPG Maker in his early teens and how curiosity about building websites led him to view-source revelations and basic HTML experimentation. The conversation shifts to the origins of MooTools, where Christoph and a group of friends forged one of the seminal JavaScript frameworks of its time. They reminisce about days before GitHub, using forums, IRC, and Subversion to collaborate on open-source code. Christoph touches on the sense of community and camaraderie that was born out of these projects, highlighting how unexpected it was that something started almost accidentally would leave a long-lasting imprint on modern web development. This section underscores the importance of curiosity-driven learning and the tight-knit teams that shaped the trajectory of popular libraries.

07:00 - 12:00 | Open Source Lessons and Building Developer Communities

In this chapter, the discussion delves deeper into the culture and challenges of early open-source projects like MooTools. Christoph and the hosts reflect on the lessons learned about inclusivity, documentation, and welcoming beginners into a seemingly “advanced” developer world. He explains how even though MooTools targeted proficient JavaScript users, it inadvertently drove home the need for more beginner-friendly attitudes and clearer documentation. They talk about the sense of responsibility developers have when open-sourcing code that could be used by a wide and diverse audience. The hosts and Christoph also touch on the various career trajectories of the MooTools contributors—individuals who went on to play major roles in the development of frameworks like React and Next.js. By illustrating how a small, passionate group of coders significantly impacted the larger JavaScript ecosystem, the conversation highlights open-source’s collective power and enduring influence.

12:00 - 17:00 | Documentation, Mentorship, and the React Influence

Continuing on the theme of community and accessibility, the hosts dive into the critical role documentation plays in open source. Christoph praises the React team for its outstanding effort in lowering the entry barrier for newcomers. They dissect how effectively written docs can bridge skill gaps, empower new contributors, and ultimately expand a project’s reach. Christoph shares anecdotes about the synergy between code and documentation, emphasizing that well-structured explanations can unlock broader adoption and more robust contributions. The conversation also revisits the idea that maintaining a welcoming community is not just about the code—it’s about valuing every level of participation, from writing docs to tackling complex features. This part of the episode leaves listeners with an appreciation for how deeply communication, mentorship, and empathy are intertwined with technical accomplishments in open-source ecosystems.

17:00 - 22:00 | Game Influences and the Draw of Turn-Based Strategy

Shifting gears, Christoph discusses his pivot away from full-time social network work and into the world of indie game development. The dialogue centers on the classic games that influenced him, from beloved Nintendo titles to retro Game Boy Advance hits like Advance Wars. He describes how turn-based strategy’s slower, more thoughtful gameplay loop suits his design philosophies, which revolve around building immersive, deliberate experiences. The group explores the role of nostalgia in shaping new projects and how those warm memories of vintage titles can translate into modern, polished releases. Along the way, Christoph shares lighthearted reflections on whether a “war game” aligns with his pacifist leanings, noting that even ephemeral amusements like these can spark deeper contemplation. By the end of this segment, listeners gain clarity on the motivations fueling his newest project: forging experiences that balance old-school charm with new-school possibilities.

22:00 - 27:00 | Narrative Design and Single vs. Multiplayer Dynamics

Here, the conversation delves into how Christoph envisions the narrative aspects of Athena Crisis. He highlights the importance of crafting an engaging storyline and building a campaign mode with layered characters, branching dialogues, and distinct biomes. The hosts compare single-player and multiplayer experiences, noting that each mode requires unique considerations for game balance, difficulty, and user interaction. Christoph touches on the technical complexities of supporting both AI opponents and live human competitors within the same system. As they unpack scenario design, the importance of cohesive storytelling becomes clearer, emphasizing that well-written scripts, dynamic dialogue, and consistent character arcs can elevate a turn-based strategy game beyond mere board mechanics. This segment underscores how strong narratives can unite strategy, art, and code into a holistic adventure.

27:00 - 32:00 | Building for Mobile and Desktop with JavaScript

Venturing into the technical underpinnings, Christoph explains the choice to develop Athena Crisis with JavaScript and React instead of a traditional game engine. He outlines his mission to create a cross-platform experience that feels natural on phones, tablets, and desktops alike. The hosts discuss how targeting multiple devices from the outset forces developers to reconsider controls, layout, performance, and design patterns. Despite the complexities, Christoph is driven by the web’s inherent strengths—ubiquitous availability, frictionless updates, and robust tooling. This approach promises a truly device-agnostic game without alienating players on less common setups. By leveraging well-known libraries for data handling and user interfaces, he focuses on crafting thoughtful gameplay rather than reinventing the wheel with every new feature. Throughout this chapter, Christoph underscores how code reusability, responsive UI, and open-source synergy help realize his dream of a universal turn-based strategy game.

32:00 - 37:00 | Founding a Studio, Family Priorities, and Life Goals

In this portion, Christoph reveals the personal considerations that guided his decision to start an indie game studio in Tokyo. Balancing the responsibilities of fatherhood with a passion for game creation, he underscores the value of work flexibility and personal fulfillment. Referencing how fleeting early childhood years can be, he shares the rationale behind choosing an entrepreneurial path that offers family time without sacrificing creative ambitions. The group also touches on the intangible rewards of taking bold risks—how, even if a venture fails, the act of trying itself can bring peace of mind. By prioritizing life satisfaction, leaning on supportive networks, and accepting the inherent uncertainties of self-driven projects, Christoph exemplifies a carefully measured approach to forging a meaningful career on his own terms. This honest conversation highlights the emotional and logistical realities behind building something truly personal.

37:00 - 42:00 | Developing Athena Crisis with React, GraphQL, and Immutable State

Shifting back to the nuts and bolts, Christoph offers an inside look at Athena Crisis’s architecture. He explains why React’s declarative model, combined with GraphQL for data fetching and Relay for client-state management, makes building a turn-based strategy game more manageable. One standout is his use of immutable data structures, allowing for seamless “undo” actions, simplified debugging, and an easy way to manage complex game logic. He shares how these strategies reduce the likelihood of elusive bugs and improve maintainability for a small but ambitious dev team. Delving into shared experiences from his Facebook days, Christoph draws a direct line between modern JavaScript tooling and the reliability he needs for real-time gameplay updates. This chapter reveals how seasoned engineering patterns—persistent state, robust frameworks, and methodical data flows—can be the difference between shipping a buggy game and creating a polished, enduring experience.

42:00 - 48:00 | Tooling, UI Polish, and Future Plans

In the final chapter, Christoph emphasizes the importance of creating intuitive, seamless interfaces—even behind the scenes. He describes how building bespoke scenario editors and dialogue tools within React accelerates development and maintains a high level of polish. The conversation points out that a carefully constructed toolchain allows designers and writers to iterate swiftly, shaping storylines, character interactions, and balanced maps. Looking ahead, Christoph confirms that he plans to offer early access to supporters while continuing to refine the game experience. He also celebrates a publishing partnership that will help bring Athena Crisis to a broad audience. Wrapping up the episode, the hosts invite everyone to follow the game’s progress, underscoring Christoph’s passion for melding artistry with technical expertise. Closing on an uplifting note, they reiterate that risk-taking, family, and community remain central to his ongoing success story.