Bugsnax Designer Explains How (& Why) Each Bugsnak Was Created - Noclip

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John Murphy from Young Horses explains the process of coming up with a Bugsnak, and how they were implemented to create engaging, emergent gameplay.
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Edited by Jeremy Jayne
Produced by Danny O’Dwyer
0:00 - Intro
1:27 - What is Bugsnax?
2:30 - Strabby
4:06 - Bunger
6:53 - Lollive
8:27 - Sandopede
10:41 - Weenyworm
12:28 - Pineantula
14:58 - Peelbug
16:44 - Shishkabug
18:11 - Preying Picantis
21:39 - Snaquiri
23:38 - Snakpod
24:59 - Designing the Ecosystem
29:37 - Credits

[@NoclipDocs]

"Wrangle the Bunger" is probably our best quote of 2021 so far. Thanks for watching folks! Head over to www.patreon.com/noclip and join our community to see the big changes coming to Noclip in March. And follow www.twitch.tv/noclip to hang out with us live. We've started streaming a bunch more over there.

[@Ruhigengeist]

The universe is weird sometimes. The exact second I scrolled down and saw this comment, "wrangle the bunger" was spoken in the video.

[@NoclipDocs]

@@Ruhigengeist You know what they say, a bunger is always being wrangled somewhere.

[@prototypelq8574]

Any news about the Noclip podcast ?

[@InferiorWhaleburg]

@@NoclipDocs you forgot to say that the bunger is the most famous BUGSNAX and memed by most youtubers

[@stanb1455]

I have one question for him and the rest of Young Horses: How hard is it to make games in Irrlicht?

[@CommandPromptGaming]

I like how he can't say any of their names without giggling.

[@Erroneus.]

I like how he can't say any of their names, without me giggling. This was 30 minutes of straight up giggling, love it.

[@bamm3707]

Its gotta be a nod to the pokemon series, I mean maybe not directly but it's so stupid and hilarious that I could only imagine they liked the idea.

[@rainalystre1877]

Bunger bunger bunger

[@michaelmonstar4276]

@@bamm3707 Pokémon is one thing, for its creature/monster-collecting. But it's nigh impossible that this guy did nót play 'Spore', 'Viva Piñata', and 'Slime Rancher'. Not saying he ripped them off, but there are obvious similarities, which is exactly how to make a new game.

[@graefx]

I thought it was a meme or joke but ngl, Bugsnax is low key existential horror. This is 100% the type of game I'd have wanted to have gotten as a kid in the 90s during peak media dgaf

[@mihirx27]

Continuing this thread, what games have you liked as a kid that you know now, are absolutely ludicrous in terms of video game quality?

[@TehPwnographer]

This is basically Gen X: The Game

[@jvpro2076]

Ears and eyes, my curses

[@sadboi1026]

first time I played the game i never had so much fun since fortnite

[@jvpro2076]

@@sadboi1026 CANCER!

[@creditsunknown7974]

I hate and love the fact that the whole "parasite needed to be eaten" thing is actually, quite a common occurence in nature, specially in mind altering ones, like the weird cat bacteria and the snail zombie worm.

[@bestaround3323]

A parasite disguising itself as a tasty snack makes pretty good logical sense. It is also terrifying how dangerous bugsnaxs are.

[@michaelmonstar4276]

Well, art imitates life and life imitates art and all that...

[@JurassicGlitchy]

Fear gains respect.

[@nowheregiirl8115]

Around a third of the world's population of humans is infected with Toxoplasma, aka the thing that infects rats and cat feces :)

[@nightfurywarriorcat8159]

Toxoplasmosis!

[@tuex2473]

I like How “John” is classified as *Meaty* and *aggresive*

[@apersonthatexists9008]

Yeah, And He Loves Ketchup!

[@CoffieRaptorStudios]

And is a Bunger

[@roisinmcdonald9198]

He also likes cheese

[@supersparerib]

And then *sweet* *flying* and *burrowing*

[@NetherPortal666]

His description changes, sometimes he jumod out of the ocean

[@rossrankin309]

I loved startling the scoopy banoopy just so he'd chase me saying those silly words.

[@luuketaylor]

Same. Except with the Preying Picantis! Picantis Picantis Picantis Picantis PICANTIS!!!!!

[@JurassicGlitchy]

@@luuketaylor PICAN PICAN!

[@crowchaos.]

E

[@s_ckerz5540]

Scoopy Banoopy's footsteps are even funnier. They're like these little slaps. And since it has super small feet that rapidly move it just goes "bapbpabpapbapapbap"

[@Radi0inactivity]

the first time i saw bugsnax, the little strawbee going "strawbeebeebee" was so cute i almost cried. i love this baby and its googly eyes.

[@sulliedhalcyon]

Strabby is a national treasure. i’m getting the plush as soon as it comes out

[@kk_cats6072]

Sameee

[@thewhat8544]

Just wait until you see the bad ending

[@sulliedhalcyon]

@@thewhat8544 i have happily invited a parasite into my home

[@thewhat8544]

@@sulliedhalcyon good job

[@YawleyG]

John expresses some envy over Breath of the Wild's ideology of multiple solutions to a problem, but I've seen a ton of inventive solutions from watching other people solve Bugsnax. Considering the size of the dev team, Bugsnax achieves so much.

[@weebcraft6829]

There is no problem in this game that cant be solved by yeeting the largest predator bugsnax into it

[@kyrab7914]

Agreed. I actually didn't know about the Lollive, because I've never seen anyone use it offensively lol

[@ZappyCatPrime]

It wasn’t until the guy said he was originally a bio major that the heart behind this game became clear. He’s just a hungry bug-lover!

[@BewareTheJadePhoenix]

I find it hilarious how he says he's mad about the Cheery because a cherry is barely a snack but like, he's fine with Strabby and a single strawberry is also barely a snack so... lol

[@quisslequassle404]

I'm less so surprised about a singular strawberry, but more so worried about the people eating a single olive as a snack

[@jb11rd13]

I love how passionate this man is about the bugsnax. They look like funny little guys but true artistry went into each and every one of them. What a great studio, I can't wait to see where this series goes.

[@noizepusher7594]

When I first saw the shy weeny worm in the style of a Chicago hotdog hating ketchup I instantly got the reference and it made me love the game even more.

[@turretboi]

Fun fact: The shy weenyworm becomes highly aggresive when covered in ketchup.

[@noizepusher7594]

@@turretboi it became the thing it hated most

[@kyrab7914]

Bunger fam. I don't think I've seen one person that didn't like Bunger

[@TheCanipaEffect]

Just finished Bugsnax, so this was perfect timing!

[@michaelbutler1619]

I loved every part of this game, especially the voice acting. I don't know how an indie studio like young horses could afford to hire Max Mittelman, Cassandra Lee Morris, Deborah Wilson, Fred Tatasciore, Yuri Lowenthal, Roger Craig Smith, Sam Riegel, Abby Trott, Christina Vee, and Todd Haberkorn, but they definitely brought their characters to life.

[@triggerhappy4199]

Fr

[@HarpKenneth]

This game came as such a surprise, not at all what I expected, and I meant that positively. I'd love to hear some of the thoughts Young Horses has when they develop their games, they seem at first to be very much like at children game, very simple in concept from the look of it, but there are more than meets the eye, it was also a bit like that in Octodad, but even more so in Bugsnax, where I was resolving conflicts between Characters, and dealt with very adult themes, but still wrapped in this Children Game universe. The Story in Bugsnax also goes places, and it has been fun to watch people play it and get to the end, and see their reactions. The Voicecast is so amazing, I loved Snorpy and Chandlo's story Arch. And My farvorite Bugsnax is probably Bunger, I just love saying it, and I was laughing so much we it discovers the player. Bunger... bunger... Bunger?! Bunger bunger bunger! Such wonderfull creativity :)

[@keqingsimp2174]

@@actualperson5443 my favourite line is: *I'm gonna do violence to ya*

[@astick5249]

@@keqingsimp2174 And the fact that he says that after being told that he doesn't know what loves is and thats why his wife left him.

[@anglure3617]

Bugsnax is one of my favorite games ever and it's really cool hearing about all this design stuff on the titular Bugsnax. Glad to know especially (although I already kinda thought so) that there was thought and effort put into arthropod representation, you love to see it

[@luuketaylor]

I guess your representative bugsnax would be some mix of pecans and prawns.

[@charKT-7461]

I really love the kettle-whistling that some snax make when they are angry

[@spinyjustspiny3289]

The idea of making Bugsnak variants that have different condiment reactions based on the locale their food is from is an amazing bit of design work.

[@DUHRIZEO]

I for one love that this is goofy and different. It's often just another recycled shooter or sports game each year. Props to this team for having some fun.

[@Tate56565656]

unironically one of the most creative and fun games out there right now imo

[@StrabbyStrabby]

John is *meaty and agressive* and also likes ketchup. But when they're not in the mood for ketchup, they're sweet, burrowing, and flying. huh

[@michaelmonstar4276]

Basically what happens when you combine 'Spore' with 'Viva Piñata' and 'Slime Rancher'.

[@triggerhappy4199]

Fr

[@callmeanon660]

Splash in some elderich horror, and boom, bugsnax lore

[@insanityrat3063]

They really named one of the bugsnax "Crapple" Either someone had a sense of humor or really hated it

[@Niriixa]

Bugsnax has such fun, charming creatures (and I'd obsessively repeat their names alongside them, haha)... and then there's the body horror transformations :'DD But man, I love how much thought went into the variety of what the creatures can do, how they interact with their environment and how you can interact with them as a player!!

[@JurassicGlitchy]

👏😭

[@luuketaylor]

You guys talked about the Preying Picantis in this video which is all I ever wanted. My favorite snak. The voice, the actions, and the eyes are perfect. Just got the platinum this evening and can't wait to see what the team does next.

[@JurassicGlitchy]

I... uh... thank you... i need a moment...

[@Bandstand]

This game looks neat

[@Shundi879]

It’s surprisingly good. I liked it way more than I thought I would.

[@AStandsForFrench]

It's good and the characters and story are great and surprisingly darker than you might think, something the video didn't touch on at all.

[@gabrip7]

for me bugsnax was one of the surprises of last year went in as a joke not expecting much and was mesmerized by the world, characters and story everything is so alive and well tought I really enjoyed everything

[@Chizuru94]

Exactly

[@whitegamingbunny3221]

I find it amusing that he mentions he made the snaquiri with the design to be immune to the basic trap, yet that was exclusively what I used to trap them. never crossed my mind to use the lunchpad.

[@TheWordPlay]

This game is low-key why I want a PS5. It's so creative!

[@mastaw]

You can play it on PS4 and PC though

[@solidkwon]

@@mastaw I've bn playing on the PS4 and the long load times def make me wish I had a PS5 for it instead so I get what he's saying

[@triggerhappy4199]

You can get bugsnax on pc as of 2022 epic already has it released steam gets it when the new dlc releases

[@xyanide1986]

It's on steam

[@Poisonedhorror]

Bugsnax was such a treat to play. I'm super glad that you covered it!

[@elliesteele2027]

I remember first seeing this game at the PS5 reveal stream and everyone started making fun of it (But to be fair everyone spammed "Ew, we want GTA 6, skip." For almost every game) but now I've watched a play through of it, it seems like an actually decent game.

[@halsti99]

BUNGER! BUNGER! BUNGER! BUNGER! BUNGER! BUNGER! BUNGER!

[@Ashtarte3D]

ShiskaaaaBBBUUUGGGGG

[@Al_Paca]

BUNGEEEEER!

[@chowcowgamer5834]

cinnnnnAaaaaaaasnaaaIIIILLLl....?

[@personaissleepy]

BUNGER?

[@JurassicGlitchy]

Pi canti pican? Iss picanti tiss! (So we all speak Snak? I've been looking for this.)

[@MB-qx9vn]

Insidious or not, bugsnax designs and names are so cute! It's just fun saying the names out loud. I'm sure it was a lot of fun making these ideas a reality. I love these sort of videos in which the actual creators get to talk about their projects. You can tell when someone's heart is really into the product.

[@TheAlison1456]

Once you give it a chance, you realize how cool this game is.

[@samboi123]

"It ain't much, but it's honest work." -Wambus Troubleham

[@lornadune2506]

I know this video is old, but I just wanted to comment about the dlc quests. They are so good! So many of them led to me learning about new behavior or interaction with the snacks, like I didn't know you could get sodie out of the water until I had to lead one up to wambus' old farm for a request I'm so so glad that this game is a available on more platforms now and I would definitely love another game or something with these characters. Even characters I dislike, like floofty, are well thought out and feel like full characters instead of a flat stereotypes

[@riotbreaker3506]

Sure, Bugsnax is kinda creepy (definitely took me for a ride) but I'm more interested in its emotional maturity, and the horror of some of its characters' anxieties and fears, which speak directly to me in a time of need. You can fight a Bugsnax, but you can't fight your insecurites. They're parasites in their own right, eating away at you, changing you into something else. At least the Bugsnax taste good.

[@JelleVermandere]

I feel the need to hunt for snacks... To the fridge!

[@sadshibe]

Absolutely adore this game. Since I was a kid I've always loved games and shows that have crazy and creative character designs such as this and it's my dream to work on a game as a character concept artist someday. I hope to help make something as awesome as Bugsnax.

[@gamerlatte5504]

John is exactly the sort of person I imagined would be working on a game this joyful 💕

[@ryanfrancis3839]

This guy is literally just saying nonsense words in whatever order he wants and its brilliant.

[@randomguy6679]

?

[@drunksupportcharacter]

I just wish more games would have all enemys and creatures to have goggly eyes.

[@ColorHeartCarlie42]

I am not a gamer, but I love bugsnax with all my heart. The premise is such a brilliant idea.

[@nessisvanillabean2570]

I love love love this game and hope it gets a sequel because it was so good! My favorite bugsnax was cheezypoof because of the way it said it's name.

[@triggerhappy4199]

It most definitely will but there is a dlc releasing for bugsnax along with pc release on steam and epic games

[@Xalerdane]

_cheeee…pooof_

[@GameDevJosh]

I’ve yet to play the game but I cant wait to see the inner-workings of how the AI was created and for what purpose. Noclip you’re doing everything right 🙌🏼

[@kyrab7914]

Bugsnax genuinely succeeded in so many ways. Not just the design of the bugs and game (which are both v good). But also the main story, the relationships between characters and *their* stories. I think they succeeded because of just how deep everything is. V well done to everyone

[@AneonAnon]

i thought the lolive's tounge was based off proboscises that some butterflys had

[@Shundi879]

I’m so glad this game was free through PS+. I might not have played it if it wasn’t, and it was one of the best surprises of 2020. I loved the puzzle aspects of capturing all the bugsnax.

[@Lonnloven]

I finished Bugsnax yesterday, and had to go back and watch this video (previously held off to avoid spoilers). Love hearing about how the team came up with all these amazing designs! And I loved the game itself so much!

[@graefx]

The mechanic first and then figure out the visuals for characters reminds me of Nintendo's method

[@HeySorz]

Bugsnax is the GOAT of 2020. Hoping for a Bugsnax 2!

[@triggerhappy4199]

Not bugsnax 2 but still good dlc expansion on the main game

[@sunsetwolf7188]

This is a really neat documentary! The captions are really well done as well! :)

[@chaoskitten57]

Snaquiri sounds like Togepi and i'd be so down for figurines of all the Bugsnax

[@wallie1994]

I love this game, even got the official shirt. Thanks for the mini documentary.

[@lanterns_glow]

I really do want the see a sequel or some kind of expansion dlc like "SNAKTOOTH TALES" where you return to find new Grumpuses who have fallen for the Snax

[@NotEmilio]

there will probably be a sequel (because of the after credits scene)

[@triggerhappy4199]

There is a dlc called isle of the BIGsnax releasing probably in February or March

[@lanterns_glow]

@@triggerhappy4199 I know and I am EXCITED

[@cheechp3209]

So meta. Shy also pronounced same way as the Chi (shy) in Chi-town referring to Chicago also referring to the Chicago hotdog aka the Shy weenieworm 🤯 i love it.

[@parknplay8328]

What's most impressive about Bugsnax is that they were able to program more graphics than Ice Knack

[@complienscreator00]

never heard that one before. how does it feel to be the most hilarious and original person on this planet.

[@parknplay8328]

@Jasmine Wright I feel as though I have ascended beyond the normal confines of comedy and have gained unimaginable powers of hilarity

[@DarthRock78]

I would love to see a documentary about the publisher "PlayWay". I think it could be interesting.

[@TheRP78]

Same here, I'm wondering how they can even survive with their games ^^

[@stevieray7586]

Good Idea.

[@PlayerOnePenguin]

I wasn't aware of this game but now I wanna buy it. Very interesting video.

[@Lauzangular]

Bugsnax was my FAVOURITE game of 2020 - no understatement, no irony, it just was amazing. I thought it was going to be a silly game that I would enjoy for a few hours. NOPE, I was addicted for days whilst I made my way through the storyline and captured all the bugsnax. I was not expecting the depth of story and awesome mechanics but I am pleased by them.

[@darkvioletcloud]

This was such a delightful video to watch! Bugsnax quickly became one of my favorite games of all time as I played the game. It's so full of sweetness and creativity, and being able to hear the design process was a lot of fun!

[@kk_cats6072]

Honestly when I first heard of it I was like: kids game lame Me now: mom im scared

[@ohnoagremlin]

i liked bugsnax a lot, their good humor'd handling of some ribbing from The Onion made me curious and i'm glad i checked it out

[@Deadforge]

Another fantastic Documentary 👏 👌. I'm still really looking forward to the Prey doc especially but also the Dishonored doc.

[@AStandsForFrench]

oh hell yes I didn't know you were doing this but I just finished bugsnax and I am ALL FOR THIS VIDEO

[@anrkist]

I finished this game with my kids just yesterday. We loved it, and my eldest has now learned fps controls! Inverted of course. Mwahahahaa!

[@ColorHeartCarlie42]

How traumatized did they get?

[@TeraMcGee]

Yes, inverted.

[@chris-hayes]

I love the use of emojis on bugsnax, very cute

[@marrow94]

One of my fav games, I'm so happy it became actually famous coming so early in the PS5 lifecycle. In a busy year Bugsnax would have been ignored I bet. Man I love it, devs if you're reading this message THANK YOU I want to hug you. I had a blast completing your game 100%.

[@miketacos9034]

These designs are so clever and fun

[@svenbtb]

This looks really interesting and like a well thought-out and well designed game, whenever I get a PS5 I'll definitely have to check it out. Also it hurt my soul a little that he just called OoT "An old Zelda game". I mean it IS, but it still hurt lol

[@NotEmilio]

If you have a PC you can also get it on epic games

[@triggerhappy4199]

Steam this year when the isle of BIGsnax releases

[@Shvabicu]

This game was so much fun. It is creative, hilarious and has some fantastic music. Kweeble!

[@zackOOO-nz9rh]

it reminds me of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and i love it

[@kiraszabo1333]

Bugsnax has become one of my favorite games instantly. I love the charaters, the story, the horror, the Bugsnax, everything! It may look like a kids game but it's not, and I'm enjoying it :] People in the fandom maiking fan-made snax- Journalists, and making fanart is just fun to watch and I make them too(for myself, for now, I don't wanna show them). There's ofc a bad side of every community, but the good side of it is awesome and creative, just like Bugsnax(I really tried to make this comment serious-) 28:26 misson failed successfully

[@Scythemantis]

Flies do have proboscises and many are predators that catch and carry other insects; the proboscis isn't super long, but it's close enough to a tongue.

[@IRWPD]

Wasn't to sure about this game. But after watching, think I need to try it.

[@Hellototheworld987]

Bunger is my favorite just cuz of how funny they sound and how cute they are walking around.

[@lunagale1573]

Huh, that's interesting for the Snaquari. When I play, I always hit it with sauce to knock it out of the air. It's interesting that the intended way is to use the lunch pad.

[@Hi-lq7xx]

I always set my trap at the base of the spring it leaps from. Takes a lot of timing, still not too hard though.

[@starfydusty]

I have to say, the Peelbug is my favorite, too. Top-tier design.

[@betterscentral2294]

Playing this now on game pass. We really like it it’s very immersive and like others in the comments have already said it feels like a game we used to play on ps2 or something which is amazing. Peeeeelbug.

[@Vaguer_Weevil]

I can't wait to see what other Snax they'll come up with, if they ever make another game

[@triggerhappy4199]

New dlc called isle of BIGsnax beeg versions of snax you’ve encountered along with new snaxs

[@EJ-vb5it]

@@triggerhappy4199 and variants of preexisting ones like Deviled Eggler

[@unknowncreature-0069]

After I played bugsnaks for the first time I decided to make my own bugsnak and I drew a macaron beetle. Idk what to call it yet but it ended up being pretty cute.

[@triggerhappy4199]

Maybe you could add it if steam workshop support was added to bugsnax when it releases on steam

[@unknowncreature-0069]

@@triggerhappy4199 hey maybe I should! That's a good idea!

[@triggerhappy4199]

@@unknowncreature-0069 np

[@Satoru_stardust]

Macareetle!

[@unknowncreature-0069]

@@Satoru_stardust oooh! That's pretty good!

[@meganm2715]

Pineantula: why am I covered in a brown liquid? Crapple: YOU'RE GOING TO BRAZIL Pineantula: **CONFUSED SCREAMING**

[@Black.Rabbit_]

Why is this so relaxing?

[@MrKlimcio]

Game Freak picked a really weird time to fail with Sword/Shield. There are so many decent and full of ideas Pokemon clones that anyone disappointed with Pokemon can get...

[@Weirdo661]

My favorite bugsnac is sprout or the hunna bee there voice is just soo cute!!!! When I was younger I made a comic and one of the kids in the comic was actually called sprout!!! But I really like the game!

[@maaikebrouwer1466]

I was really caught off guard when i was watching a video about idk, spooky game secrets or something? I literally had no words.

[@ErnestSheptalo]

This looks more appealing than the New Pokemon Snap. I really want to play it now!

[@ilovecody7514]

HELL YES, INJECT THIS DIRECTLY INTO MY VEINS!!!

[@xyanide1986]

I really hope more people play this now that it's on steam

[@HoldMeForever]

I can't join the Patreon but I whitelisted the channel(enabled ads). Thanks a heap for the great videos! edit:I can't believe I watched the whole thing, such a great game xD

[@CaSCHWANK]

as a gamer who studied entomology, 26:25 is music to my ears xD

[@zekiz774]

I don't know this game, but I watch it anyways, because Noclip is awesome.

[@spywannabe]

I really miss this game, one of my fav games

[@m0zzy71]

Cant believe, after listening to the dev, explaining this weird trippy game, that he admits putting tomato sauce on an hotdog is a no, no,..

[@Woeden]

Extremely charming game.

[@Ashkihyena]

Starting off with the king, Bunger!

[@matthewbaker7513]

The development of bugsnax is a treasure that must be protected

[@JurassicGlitchy]

Yay! I'm a treasure!

[@JonoTaku]

THIS GAME IS A MASTERPIECE. 2020 GOTY!!!

[@ElJorro]

Wish he had talked about Mothza but still a great documentary.

[@Knowingspy]

I have never played Bugsnax. *Watches 30 minute video about pineantulas"