by Oink Games Inc.

Editor’s note: Here’s a history of Oink Games’ mid-2023 release Nine Tiles Extreme, told in the form of a Q&A session. —WEM

The Evolution of Nine Tiles Extreme

Question: How does Nine Tiles Extreme fit into the Nine Tiles series?

Jean-Claude Pellin: We always work on new game concepts with specific publishers in mind. Our design philosophy aligns with Oink Games perfectly. We love their approach: simple games with sleek designs and engaging interactions.

For us, Nine Tiles has always been about minimalism and accessibility, and we wanted to keep that philosophy alive while introducing something fresh. Nine Tiles Extreme builds on the original Nine Tiles, but adds a new layer of challenge with shifting mechanisms.

Q: What is the premise of the game?

Pellin: Nine Tiles Extreme takes the core mechanisms of Nine Tiles — flipping and rearranging tiles to match a pattern — but adds a twist. This time, players must match either shape or color, but the requirement changes dynamically during the game, creating a new level of challenge.

Concept and Development

Q: How did Nine Tiles Extreme come to life?

Pellin: We had always considered making a second game in the Nine Tiles series, but finding the right “twist” took time. Many ideas were too simple or lacked elegance. We wanted a game that was still minimalistic but provided a fresh challenge.

The breakthrough came when we introduced the rotating task cards. Suddenly, the game transformed into something new and exciting while keeping its core identity.

Q: What challenges did you face during development?

Jens Merkl: The biggest challenge was balancing the tile designs. Each color needed a unique shape, and we had to ensure no two shapes of the same color existed. We also had to make sure that no task card perfectly matched any tile set. These design constraints were difficult to refine but crucial to making the game work.

Innovations and Design Choices

Q: How did the mechanisms evolve from the first prototype?

Pellin: One of our early prototypes used dice to determine whether players matched shapes or colors each round. However, rolling dice added an unnecessary step and extra components that didn’t fit in a small box. We eventually realized we could eliminate the dice entirely by using task card backs to indicate shape or color. This simplification made the game flow much better.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of the final version?

Merkl: The game is easy to learn but hard to master. That’s exactly what we aimed for. If you’ve never played Nine Tiles before, you can jump right into Extreme — but if you’re a Nine Tiles veteran, this game gives you a brand-new challenge.

One of many licensed versions of Nine Tiles in Japan

The Role of Oink Games

Q: How did Oink Games shape the final version?

Pellin: Oink Games has been fantastic to work with. They understand our vision and refine it, while keeping the essence of the game intact. They helped adjust the game’s balance, redesigned the tiles, and ensured everything fit neatly in a small box. Their ability to blend aesthetic design with intuitive gameplay is unmatched.

Q: The Nine Tiles series is very popular in Japan. How does that feel?

Merkl: It’s incredible. Every year, we see new players discovering and enjoying our games. Knowing that people continue to love and play Nine Tiles is rewarding. The game’s simplicity contributes to its longevity, and we’re thrilled it resonates with so many players.

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Future of the Nine Tiles Series

Q: Could there be another Nine Tiles game in the future?

Pellin: The Nine Tiles series always challenges us to think in new ways. We love minimalistic designs and will definitely continue exploring new ideas in this space.

Q: What message do you have for players?

Merkl: Think fast, and play even faster! We hope Nine Tiles Extreme offers a fresh challenge for all players, from newcomers to Nine Tiles experts.

And yet another…