Brigador devs think it’s crucial that their abrasive, hardcore mech sims aren’t for everyone: ‘I think we make boy slop, but that’s okay’
Stellar Jockeys, the developer behind the cult-classic mech simulator Brigador, embraces an uncompromising design philosophy with its upcoming sequel Brigador Killers. In recent interviews, lead artist Jack Monahan and lead designer Hugh Monahan discussed the studio’s approach to balancing complexity with accessibility—a conversation informed by their experience with the original Brigador, which achieved cult status despite poor initial commercial performance.
The Monahans acknowledge the fundamental tension in game development: studios need sufficient mainstream appeal to remain financially viable, yet games that are overly focus-tested and homogenized fail to satisfy dedicated players. Rather than chase broader audiences, Stellar Jockeys has adopted a proudly niche stance. The developers explicitly accept that their games aren’t for everyone, with one coining the phrase “boy slop” to describe their unapologetic, hardcore design sensibilities.
This philosophy represents a deliberate rejection of the accessibility-first trend dominating modern game design. By positioning Brigador Killers as an intentionally complex, demanding experience, the studio is betting that the passionate community that embraced the original will justify the sequel’s existence, even if it never achieves mainstream success. The developers’ candid perspective suggests confidence that depth and specificity can sustain a game’s identity better than dilution for broader appeal.