A Ladder-Climbing Scene Goes Viral: NIGHTIN CAGE Explodes in Popularity in Japan
A Ladder-Climbing Scene Goes Viral: NIGHTIN CAGE Explodes in Popularity in Japan
Few people would expect that a brief ladder-climbing animation could become the turning point for an indie game, but that is exactly what happened with NIGHTIN CAGE.
NIGHTIN CAGE is an action RPG currently in development by GRIS 灰白, a solo developer who has recently attracted significant attention from Japanese players. During development, a short animation clip showing the protagonist climbing a ladder was shared online and quickly spread across social media, unexpectedly turning the game into a viral topic.
From Criticism to Curiosity
When the clip first surfaced, many viewers criticized the animation, saying the movement felt unnatural. In response, GRIS quickly released an updated version, refining the motion timing, adding smoother transition animations, and adjusting sound effects to make the sequence feel more fluid, while keeping the original visual focus intact.
Rather than dying down, both the original and updated versions continued circulating, drawing even more attention to the project.
Steam Wishlists Surge in Japan
The most striking result of the viral clip was its impact on Steam wishlists. Within just a few days, wishlist numbers from Japanese players reportedly increased by nearly 20 times.
Although GRIS did not release official country-by-country statistics, the developer confirmed that wishlists from Japan rose from around 300 to approximately 5,000, even surpassing interest from the United States. For a solo-developed indie game without a playable demo, this level of attention far exceeded expectations.
GRIS openly stated that the response was completely unexpected and expressed sincere gratitude to everyone who added the game to their wishlist.
Player Feedback at the Core of Development
In an interview with Japanese media outlet AUTOMATON, GRIS explained that releasing multiple versions of gameplay clips was intentional. The goal was to gather direct feedback from players and evaluate which ideas best fit the game’s vision.
Although relatively new to game development, GRIS has over 10 years of experience in the art field and previously worked as a 3D character designer on Mabinogi: Heroes. According to the developer, balancing artistic intention with player feedback is a constant process, even when it requires standing firm on creative decisions.
Inspired by NieR, but Walking Its Own Path
GRIS also noted that while NieR: Automata and Stellar Blade served as key inspirations for NIGHTIN CAGE, directly copying highly acrobatic movements would not fit the game’s fantasy world.
A standard ladder climb felt too dull, while overly dramatic motion would feel out of place. The solution was to introduce subtle personality through movement without making it the main selling point. GRIS emphasized that the game does not rely on animation flair or visual appeal alone, but aims for cohesive world-building through every action.
A Small Detail That Changed Everything
Currently, NIGHTIN CAGE remains in development for PC and is available to wishlist on Steam. While no demo has been released yet, the sudden surge of attention in Japan clearly demonstrates how even the smallest details can dramatically alter a game’s trajectory.
Sometimes, a few seconds of animation are enough to open an unexpected door.
Origin: automaton-media
