Old School Gamer Magazine chats with Mega Cat Studios’ Nick Mann, AKA Sir Meowface, who discusses the series of updates to their cult-favorite Log Jammers title that continues to take the original experience in a bold new direction for the modern age. Deighan also details what the rest of the development team is up, as well as his favorite memory as a gamer.
About Log Jammers: Log Jammers is a competitive online/couch arcade game with blazing-fast axe-throwing action. Outwit your opponent, defend your goal, and block your opponent’s throws to win the Log Jam. The game was originally released as an NES title (cartridge and everything), and Mega Cat spent the last year and a half reimagining it as a modern title.
Old School Gamer Magazine: How was this game born?
Nick Mann: As long time fans of couch co-op, we wanted something that captured the fast gameplay and modern design while following the core of a fast-paced Pong, Windjammers, Lethal League or Disc Jammers type of game. Log Jammers is our pixel rendition with volleys, faster gameplay, and power-ups that give it a unique play.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What was your role in the game?
Mann: As Meowface, I helped with everything from gameplay to character design.
Old School Gamer Magazine: How did you get involved in the industry?
Mann: My introduction to the industry was volunteering for some streamers that needed some support with community management and art. I was happy to lend a paw, and it eventually blossomed into a career in games.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What was development like?
Mann: Log Jammers is all about couch co-op and fun for fun’s sake. We gave it a lot of extra love since it received so much support at conventions the past 2 years. Development was slow and smooth, like chugging a peanut butter milkshake without any milk.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What makes this game special?
Mann: The arenas and characters bring some spice, but what really makes Log Jammers stand out to fans of couch co-op is the simplicity of design with high skill potential plays. The volley system particularly gives it that fast-paced, tournament feel.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What games influenced this one the most?
Mann: Windjammers, of course!
Old School Gamer Magazine: Any fun stories or wild moments during development?
Mann: Something about Mayo, one of the characters, inspired a lot of our community to send fan art, ask about his political background, and send condiments to our office.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What were the major lessons learned?
Mann: We spent a lot of time working on different approaches to better, more seamless multiplayer experiences, since it’s so essential to the gameplay.
Old School Gamer Magazine: Do you think preserving older gameplay mechanics in new games is important?
Mann: Gameplay mechanics specifically are less important in my opinion, but there has already been a full circle from simple arcade back to hypercatual, even on mobile. Good, simple mechanics will be preserved because of their elegance.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What’s your favorite memory as a gamer?
Mann: Unwrapping my Sega Genesis on Christmas!
Old School Gamer Magazine: How do you want this game to be remembered?
Mann: Based on the trailer.
Old School Gamer Magazine: What’s next?
Mann: Collecting all of the fun feedback from our Discord community on multiplayer, and ramping up to the final release of Bite the Bullet: https://games.megacatstudios.com/bitethebullet/
Old School Gamer Magazine: Anything else you’d like to add?
Mann: Come hang out and say hello if you’re a fan of retro and want to test, talk, and play: www.discord.gg/megacat
