When your “love of gaming” doesn’t end at the screen, but becomes the driving force to create your own game.
The Novice Flow team, students from the Faculty of Digital Media, Interactive and Game Design program, Sripatum University, created Sous Raccoon, a unique Action + Roguelike chef assistant game.
Having to manage the restaurant while protecting customers in extremely challenging situations.
🎮🧑🍳🎮🧑🍳🎮🧑🍳
This work won the Best Audio Award at Thailand Game Talent 2025.
This was held within the biggest gaming event of the year, Thailand Game Show 2025.
The starting point for a game developer?
Like most kids, I had dreams. I loved playing games so much that I started thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I could create games for other people to play?” So I began researching this field and found that many universities offered specialized game development programs. This university was one of my options. However, the main reason I chose the Digital Media program, specifically the Interactive and Game Design major at SPU, is because the curriculum aligns with what I want to learn, I get to study with real industry professionals, and I gain hands-on experience.
Where did the idea for creating the game Sous Raccoon begin?
This project began with the final project assignment for the department: “Create a game that can actually be submitted to competitions.” Associate Professor Kritin Dolphakniyomkul, a faculty member in the Interactive and Game Design department, was one of the driving forces behind submitting the students’ work to the Thailand Game Talent 2025 competition.
Initially, the team had many ideas, but after consulting with experts from the actual game industry, they were advised to revise them. Due to time constraints, the team brainstormed again, combining each person’s ideas to create Sous Raccoon.
The concept is for a game that is both fun and challenging?
This game asks a simple question: “What would happen if the restaurant you’re eating at was located in a dangerous place?” The result is a game where players take on the role of managing a restaurant, preparing food for customers, and protecting the restaurant from surrounding dangers. The fun lies in the chaos and unpredictability of each round of gameplay.
What were your initial goals when you started developing this game?
Initially, we aimed to create a portfolio for our friends and ourselves to use when applying for jobs. So we put our all into this project. Everyone used every skill they had acquired since school.
What are the challenges of playing an action + roguelike game?
The biggest challenge was “designing an idea that would make people want to replay it.” Roguelike games need to surprise players every time a new round begins. The team solved this by studying other games, analyzing why they were fun, and adapting those elements to their own game, along with intense brainstorming sessions within the team.
Subjects that help create real games?
The knowledge from the Game Operations 3 course was directly applied to the game development process. The 3D team, in particular, extensively applied skills from the 3D Modeling for Games course. “This is learning that doesn’t stop at theory, but builds upon it to create real work on a national stage.”
What is your next goal? How far do you want to develop this game?
What started as a game developed during school years is now being pushed towards a global release. We started with some lack of knowledge and mistakes, but everyone is continuously learning and improving. If the game is successful, we’ll look for other projects; if it’s not working out, we’ll disband and find other jobs.
If you enjoy playing games and want to try creating your own game, where should you start?
If you enjoy playing games and want to create your own, start by studying on YouTube and then gradually put your ideas into practice. If you’re unsure what you’re lacking, try asking people in the industry. They’re usually easy to talk to and you can find them in Facebook groups. However, if you want to find collaborators for game development, university is the place to go. When you study there, you’ll learn more than just broad basics; you’ll gain real-world experience from professors in the game industry who will teach you techniques and give you hands-on experience.
For students in the DEK69 graduating class who are wondering whether or not to study gaming...
Ask yourself first if you really want to do this and what position you’d like in the team. If you want to be an artist, this place is perfect because it excels in art and you’ll learn from professors with real-world industry experience who can provide guidance on both projects and career paths. Importantly, it’s conveniently located near the Bang Bua BTS station.
Members of the "Novice Flow Team"
Chakrit Sittinamsuwan, Interactive and Game Design (IGD) major.
Kanyarat Lertphatramongkol, Interactive and Game Design (IGD) major.
Pongsathon Chotipongchana, Interactive and Game Design (IGD) major.
Patipath Owakulwong, Interactive and Game Design (IGD) major.
Hattaporn Phansonti, Interactive and Game Design (IGD) major.
Patcharamai Tappreeda, majoring in Computer Animation and Visual Effects (AFX).
Jirat Techapornanan, majoring in Computer Animation and Visual Effects (AFX).
Ketsakulaporn Kasetthanang, Digital Arts Branch (DGA)
From a school project to a national stage.
This is the story of a new generation of game developers who dared to think, dared to try, and dared to take action!
Apply now! https://www.spu.ac.th/register.landing/
Faculty of Digital Media, Sripatum University
Sous Raccoon can be downloaded on Steam.
Available in Early Access: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3919140/Sous_Raccoon/
Demo : https://store.steampowered.com/
#SripatumUniversity #SPU #FacultyofDigitalMedia #SPUFrainLearningwithRealExpertsandRealExperience #DEKSPU #showcase
