Ball x Pit creator reveals how the game was almost something completely different

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Ball x Pit wasn’t an instant success. In fact, it took a major change in direction before the game became the popular indie hit it is today.

Ball x Pit seems straightforward at first: choose a character, enter a level, and defeat three bosses. But that’s just the beginning of what this game has to offer.

What makes this ball-bouncing roguelike so engaging is its depth – you can upgrade and evolve your character, discover powerful combos, build an entire city, and play again and again. But according to its creator, Kenny Sun, the game wasn‘t always like this. Originally, Ball x Pit was a slower-paced experience.

The game only really started to become popular after a major update significantly changed how quickly it played.

Ball x Pit was originally a game just for The Tactician

Out of the 16 characters in Ball x Pit, The Tactician isn’t very popular with players. Instead of directly controlling every action, this character changes the game to a turn-based system, where you make decisions strategically.

Fast-paced sections of the game often slow down considerably, stretching from quick 7-10 minute bursts into drawn-out 20+ minute challenges. Although it can be enjoyable to meticulously plan each action, this approach clashes with the generally unpredictable and chaotic feel of the rest of the game.

Interestingly, Ball x Pit wasn’t always the fast-paced game it is today. When it was first being made, it was actually a slow and methodical, turn-based experience.

Sun explained that the character, known as the Tactician, was initially designed to be played in a turn-based style. However, about two months into the game’s development, he decided to switch it to a real-time system.

“The moment I played it in real-time, I knew I’d made the right choice.”

Honestly, one of the best things about Ball x Pit is how easy it is to jump in and out of – a quick game takes just minutes. And get this – that whole thing came about because of feedback from just one person who tested it! It’s wild how a single playtester can shape a game’s design.

Sun explained that when The Tactician led development and the game was entirely turn-based, each playthrough lasted around 30 minutes, similar to the length of a run in Vampire Survivors.

One playtester thought the game felt too lengthy, so I initially cut the content in half. However, it still seemed slow-paced, so I included an option to adjust the game speed.

What’s next for Ball x Pit?

The initial version of Ball x Pit was finished ahead of schedule, giving Sun and the development team time to create extra content. Fans can expect this content to be released next year through three free updates.

Sun explained that the additional content wasn’t significant enough to justify a paid expansion pack.

The game will feature a ton of new content, including characters, buildings, and stages. Sun hinted that all the planned updates are already built into the game’s code, meaning dedicated fans might be able to discover them.

Sun explained that upcoming characters will be distinct from less successful ones like the Tactician or The Radical, which were criticized for being too automated. He emphasized that the new characters will focus on offering unique playstyles and strategies, rather than playing the game for the player.

The game will have a lot of new content building on what’s already there, and the developer, Sun, is also considering adding new ways to play. He said he’d be open to exploring an endless mode at some point, calling it an interesting idea.

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2025-12-10 07:19