PUNCH CHAMPS started as a simple idea after we wrapped up STAR SHREDDERS: could we capture the magic of old-school couch competitive games and bring them into a modern brawler?
We grew up on fighting games that demanded strategy, but over time the scene shifted. Simpler party-style games like Smash Bros and Power Stone came alongside indie favorites like Towerfall which we still play today after first discovering it on the Ouya back in university. Add in the chaos of Duck Game and you’ve got the DNA of what we wanted to create: fast, fun, and competitive multiplayer that feels great with friends.
Building the Foundation
Our first steps weren’t glamorous. We tried a few proprietary engines to get the setup running quickly, but realized we needed more flexibility to make the game we envisioned. Surprisingly, we turned to Fiverr—not for shortcuts, but because we found incredibly talented developers who build games on the side. That gave us the developer focus we needed, while keeping things scrappy and lean.
Once we committed to Unity, we were able to restart with a custom build that let us add the mechanics and systems we wanted. For art and animation, we partnered with the team at Nuclear Starfish, who brought Bodhan (our first fighter) to life. They handled both character design and animation using Spine, while we worked in Unity to stitch everything together.
Iterating, Testing, Refining
From there, it was all about iteration. We spent around six months in a loop of test → patch → test again, slowly shaping the experience. The contextual punch system, parries, dodges, and one-hit KO mechanic started to click. We reached a point where the game felt good enough to share, so we released the Steam demo to begin gathering feedback.
Listening to Players
The community response has been invaluable. Players love the concept and energy, but they’ve also pointed out areas to improve—things like clearer animations, smoother camera work, and expanding beyond one stage/character. That’s exactly the kind of feedback Early Access and demos are for.
We’re now preparing our first feedback update, directly shaped by player comments. It’s not just about fixes, but about strengthening the core identity of PUNCH CHAMPS: a tactical brawler where every move counts.
This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to share more soon. Thanks to everyone who’s downloaded, wishlisted, and supported the project—you’re helping us build the game we always wanted to play with our friends.
Check out the game on Steam and tell us what you think! Likewise to any developers out there, we would love to give feedback or review games so send along 🙂
-Team Sharkbowl
