Christoffer Bodegård’s journey into the realm of PC gaming began with a DOS machine passed down from his father, a gift from the Swedish state aimed at promoting computer literacy among its citizens. His first foray into gaming was marked by Disney’s The Jungle Book, a title he recalls as “pretty hard.” Yet, it was Dragon Age: Origins that truly ignited his passion for role-playing games, leaving an indelible mark on his childhood. “That was the game that made me go ‘I love this genre,'” he reflects, noting how it spurred him to explore the top 100 lists and immerse himself in countless titles, culminating in his experience with Planescape: Torment, which he describes as a benchmark for all subsequent games.
After eight years of development, Bodegård’s own creation, Esoteric Ebb, launched to critical acclaim and commercial success in March. This game, designed to mirror the unpredictability of tabletop RPGs, casts players as a hapless cleric unraveling the mystery of an exploding tea shop during a pivotal election in a fantastical realm. Currently, Bodegård is contemplating his next venture, hinting at the potential use of technology developed for Esoteric Ebb, though he is not committed to a direct sequel.
What game are you currently playing?
Bodegård is currently engrossed in Victoria 3, a title he has been playing since its launch. As a self-proclaimed superfan of Paradox games, he admits to having logged around 400 hours in Victoria 3, humorously acknowledging his lack of skill. “I suck at the game, basically,” he confesses, but the joy of simulating the economic and political intricacies of the era keeps him engaged. He also reminisces about his attempts to play Victoria 2 with a friend, which ultimately led him to set it aside in anticipation of the new release. “It’s such a debatable topic,” he notes, recognizing the game’s potential for improvement while appreciating the developers’ commitment to refining it over time.
What was the previous game you played, and is it still installed?
Before diving into Victoria 3, Bodegård enjoyed Abiotic Factor, a game he describes as reminiscent of Half-Life, offering a chance to reconnect with friends through gaming. “It was half price, and I thought, ‘Yes, I want to play,'” he recalls, highlighting the fun of engaging in cooperative gameplay after years of focusing on his own projects.
What is the oldest game (by release date) currently installed on your PC?
When asked about the oldest game on his PC, Bodegård reveals a fondness for classics, with four titles from 1999-2000 vying for the top spot: Heroes of Might and Magic 3, King of Dragon Pass, Deus Ex, and Diablo 2. He identifies Heroes 3, released in February, as a personal favorite, praising its engaging gameplay, randomized maps, and the nostalgic thrill of pressing the ‘End Turn’ button, which evokes a sense of satisfaction.
What is the highest number of hours you have in any given game, according to Steam?
In terms of hours logged, Bodegård’s record is somewhat skewed due to his work on Esoteric Ebb, which has amassed around 1,000 hours on Steam. However, he acknowledges that his true passion lies with Europa Universalis IV, a game he became addicted to for a significant period. Despite his self-deprecating humor about his skills, he has recently revisited the game, particularly enjoying the Anbennar mod, which enriches the gameplay with deep, creative mechanics that resonate with his love for grand strategy.
What game will you never, ever uninstall?
For Bodegård, Deus Ex holds a special place in his heart, a title he has never uninstalled since first playing it in high school. Its influence on his design philosophy for Esoteric Ebb is profound, as he draws inspiration from its approach to player choice and narrative structure. “It’s such a classic,” he remarks, emphasizing the importance of allowing players to make meaningful decisions beyond mere dialogue options.
What’s a piece of non-gaming software installed on your PC that you simply couldn’t live without?
On the software front, Bodegård swears by Notepad++, a lightweight text editor he has customized extensively to suit his scripting needs. Its versatility and speed make it an essential tool for his writing process, enabling him to create and modify scripts efficiently. “When you’re writing and it’s super-fast to add 15 different choices, you’re much more likely to do it,” he explains, highlighting the importance of accessibility in fostering creativity.
How tidy is your desktop screen?
Reflecting on his desktop organization, Bodegård admits to a past filled with clutter, where images and files would accumulate to the point of obscuring the screen. However, he has since adopted a cleaner approach, utilizing shortcuts for screenshots and minimizing the chaos that once reigned. “I think I have an old laptop where you can’t see the desktop,” he chuckles, acknowledging the absurdity of his former habits.
