SINGAPORE’S Culinary Gaming Breakthrough

Get ready for a tasty treat in the gaming world! Soon, players can dive into the immersive cooking experience of *Sedap!*, a brand-new video game that invites you to whip up regional Southeast Asian delicacies like nasi lemak and mango sticky rice, all while fending off mythical beasts native to the region.

This exciting two-player cooperative cooking action game marks the inaugural project from local game developer Kopiforge, set to launch on Steam on May 22 for just $14.50.

A Year of Sacrifices and Budget Meals

While the game promises a feast of flavors, its development journey was anything but easy. The co-founders—a trio of passionate gamers—had to survive on a frugal diet of budget meals, jokingly referring to their year of eating cai fan as an inside nod to their tight budget.

Co-founder Jay Wong, who graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a specialization in game art, reminisces about their struggle: "Eating only cai fan for a year became our running joke. My average salary was a mere $700." The determination didn’t end there; the team relied heavily on hawker food and creative cost-saving strategies to fuel their ambitions.

A Love Letter to Southeast Asia

Wong describes *Sedap!* as their heartfelt tribute to the rich culture of Southeast Asia, inspired by its underrepresentation in video games. He posed the question: "What if we crafted a fantastical game that swapped dragons for mythical creatures from our own region, and featured traditional dishes instead of generic fare?" The answer is a frenzied cooking experience that melds chaotic gameplay reminiscent of *Overcooked* with vibrant regional flair.

Players can immerse themselves in preparing over 50 unique dishes—from beloved bubble tea and chicken rice to lesser-known delights like Cambodia's fish amok, Myanmar's mohinga, and the beloved teh tarik.

Overcoming Challenges and Funding Woes

Despite receiving accolades at prestigious festivals like the BIG Festival and Level Up KL Sea Game Awards, attracting funding was arduous. After initially failing to secure a grant from the Infocomm Media Development Authority, the team depended on smaller grants and a private investor. They faced the daunting task of pitching to over 100 publishers before finally landing a deal.

Reflecting on the challenging landscape of the gaming industry in 2024, Wong notes, "The year was rife with layoffs and cut funding; we were first-time developers without a background, so I understood why securing funding was tough for us." With limited resources, they prioritized fair compensation for their freelance collaborators, resulting in the co-founders taking minimal salaries.

Personal Struggles and Creative Passion

In a city where productivity and high income reign supreme, Wong felt the weight of societal expectations. Meanwhile, co-founder Foo Jing Ting made a bold leap from a higher-paying position at HP to join Kopiforge, driven by her desire to create innovative work. She asserts, "I always felt I was racing against my peers for creative fulfillment rather than traditional success."

Toi, another co-founder, faced scrutiny for her choice to pursue game art, but couldn’t shake the feeling of what might have been had she chosen a more conventional path.

The Stakes Are High

Now, as the launch date approaches, these three co-founders are poised for their gamble to pay off. Will the investment of time, effort, and countless meals of cai fan be rewarded? The fate of *Sedap!* hinges on its initial sales—an exhilarating ride awaits!