Brigador devs: ‘The ’90s PC classics often taught really special things, but not because the story said, Wow, violence is bad!’
Stellar Jockeys has released Brigador Killers, the ambitious follow-up to the well-received mech simulation game Brigador, into early access. PC Gamer interviewed lead developers Hugh and Jack Monahan, brothers who form the core of the studio’s leadership, discussing their creative vision for the project.
The developers outlined their design philosophy, emphasizing their deliberate avoidance of traditional morality systems and explicit “violence is bad” narratives. Instead, they draw inspiration from ’90s PC classics that conveyed moral lessons implicitly through game design rather than direct storytelling. This “show, don’t tell” approach appears central to Brigador Killers’ design philosophy.
The interview also covered technical challenges, particularly the integration of on-foot gameplay mechanics alongside the series’ signature mech-based combat. The Monahans stressed the importance of committing to their creative vision rather than attempting to please everyone, indicating a focused design approach for the project.
Brigador Killers builds upon the original game’s successful formula, which carved out a niche as a “sleeper hit” in the mech and simulation gaming space. The early access launch enables players to engage with the new gameplay elements while developers continue refining the experience.