Feature: “What’s This Stupid Thing?” – How One Silly Idea Became The Jet Set Radio-Inspired Denshattack!
Denshattack! emerged from one of game development’s most organic creative processes—experimentation during casual play. The concept was born when developer David Jaumandreu and his team were playing with a Japanese train toy model resembling a finger skateboard, sparking a playful “what if” moment: what if you could skate with trains?
This silly premise—combining skateboarding fundamentals like balance, grinding, and jumping with train-themed gameplay—was initially met with skepticism. When Jaumandreu presented his design document to co-developer Àngel, the response was blunt: “What’s this stupid thing?” However, once Àngel began prototyping the concept, the underlying fun factor became undeniable, transforming the experimental idea into a legitimate game project.
The result is Denshattack!, a Jet Set Radio-inspired title that demonstrates how the most unconventional concepts can flourish when given proper prototyping time. The game stands as a testament to creative risk-taking and the value of playtesting even ideas that initially seem absurd—sometimes the best games come from asking the silliest questions.