Development
Timeline.

XenoEtiquette was born at a game jam — an asymmetric co-op concept about alien communication that immediately revealed its comedic potential. It all started with 7 of us in the room.

• Niklas Malinen — Lead Programmer
• Lassi Vapaakallio — Senior Game Designer
• Soham Sen — Game Designer
• Fiona Keil — Art Direction, 2D Artist
• Elena Chebannaya — 3D Artist, UI Designer
• Leo Krechmer — Producer
• Mariia Makushina — Marketing & Business

Selected for Espoo Game Lab (EGL), a Finnish game development accelerator, giving the team structured support to validate and develop the concept further. What started as 7 people at a game jam was now a focused core team of 3.

• Fiona Keil — Artist & Co-Designer
• Niklas Malinen — Lead Programmer & Co-Designer
• Mariia Makushina — Marketing & Partnerships

The first concept prototype.

The first fully playable prototype, expanding on the concept with complete asymmetric roles, alien species, and communication mechanics. Our party just got a new character — we're excited to welcome Miro Aurela to the team as our new Producer & Co-Designer!

• Miro Aurela — Producer & Co-Designer

XenoEtiquette was showcased at Media Demo Day, receiving its first attention and player feedback from a public audience.

Had a Demo corner at Games First by Supercell — receiving its first attention and player feedback from a public audience.

An improved playable prototype incorporating feedback from playtesting, refining mechanics, puzzle balance, and the co-op communication experience. We finished 2nd overall among 10 teams and received two special recognitions:

• Best Pitch
• Most Fun

Opening registration for the first structured playtest. The Bureau is now accepting civilian field observer applications.

Steam page launch and wishlist campaign to build the pre-launch audience before the game's release.

XenoEtiquette launches on Steam. Earth's cultural orientation programme begins in earnest.