When Infinity Nikki debuted in November 2022, its blend of advanced visuals and 3D dress-up gameplay sparked a buzz across the gaming industry and among fans. Developed by Papergames using Unreal Engine 5 (UE5), this title has fueled debates around AAA quality in games designed with female players in mind and whether such production values matter to this growing demographic.
Video previewing the upcoming launch of Infinity Nikki. Video and header image source: Papergames.
Today, the “sheconomy”—the rising influence of women in consumer spending—continues to unfold with impressive potential, and gaming is no exception.
In recent years, games crafted for female audiences have gained traction, from established hits like Mr Love: Queen’s Choice to rising stars like Ashes of the Kingdom. While these games bring unique storytelling and world-building, most have leaned on a formula that melds romance with action, drawing players into carefully built universes with intricate narratives.
Yet, for today’s female players, traditional dress-up mechanics alone don’t cut it. Over time, the Nikki series has kept pace with these expectations, expanding from simple customization features to rich storylines and inventive combat systems. In Infinity Nikki, players enter a vast open world, navigating beautiful landscapes, engaging in immersive stories, and experiencing the emotional highs and lows of Miraland alongside Nikki herself.
While Infinity Nikki has veered away from targeting female players exclusively, it remains attuned to their preferences. The game’s intricate visuals, calming ambiance, and endearing animal companions speak to players seeking a peaceful experience. Puzzles and challenges in its open world carry a gentle tone, even softening boss battles’ intensity to encourage exploration of the scenery and warm side stories.
Responding to evolving tastes, Papergames crafted a utopian world of kindness. Here, characters interact in friendly, non-gendered ways. Nikki, the protagonist, is also referred to warmly as “a little cotton jacket,” coming across as a symbol of comfort and protection that holds tender sentiments resonating with many female players. In this thoughtful world, players access memorable emotional experiences, enriched with gameplay showcasing humanistic themes.
IPs with enduring icons are not uncommon. Characters like Sun Wukong, Mickey Mouse, Barbie, and Hatsune Miku have each become commercial phenomena, inspiring franchises that reach far beyond their origins. Likewise, popular game franchises such as Honkai and Pokemon have garnered dedicated fans through cohesive storytelling and nostalgic worlds that connect each new release.
But Nikki as an IP has followed a unique path. Nikki didn’t just emerge from a single game—she has evolved alongside her fans. Appearing as the recurring protagonist in every game from the Nikki series, her growth has been experienced and witnessed by players, symbolizing the IP’s journey from its inception to its current iteration. With each installment, Nikki’s journey mirrors Papergames’ creative leaps and continued commitment to innovation. Since Infinity Nikki, this dynamic has built a dedicated following that grows with every update.
Developing Infinity Nikki as Papergames’ first major 3D title with UE5 presented its own set of challenges: a lengthy production timeline, numerous bugs in beta phases, and the need to gauge players’ appetite for a 3D open world.
As of the third beta, Infinity Nikki still struggles with several technical issues: frequent bugs, frame drops, and overheating on certain devices. The current frame rate cap of 30 frames per second, while acceptable for testing, remains suboptimal for a game designed around detailed visuals.
Thankfully, the Nikki fanbase has shown remarkable patience. Many dedicated players—affectionately calling Nikki their “daughter”—have actively participated in the beta, offering extensive feedback. Thanks to their input, the team quickly resolved issues such as overly simple facial models, the inability to hide Momo during photo taking, and repetitive combat mechanics. These updates have notably improved the third beta’s experience.
With the gaming industry’s rapid expansion, competition intensifies, and relying solely on nostalgia is no longer sufficient. Instead, leveraging new technology to enhance game quality and playability has become vital for studios aiming to captivate and retain both newcomers and returning fans.
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For Infinity Nikki, blending dress-up mechanics with an open world format marks a significant step forward, especially for a game where fashion takes center stage. UE5’s capabilities help create vivid, fairytale landscapes, from soaring mountains to lush flower fields and dense forests. By employing order-independent transparency (OIT) technology, Infinity Nikki gives players an immersive view of clothing textures from every angle.
The photo taking mode—a key feature—received further refinement in the third beta, allowing players to capture stunning scenes with realistic camera angles, lighting effects, and customizable settings.
Throughout beta testing, fans have eagerly scouted Infinity Nikki’s scenic locales, sharing thousands of in-game photos across social media platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu. This photo taking feature has evolved into a new mode of social interaction within Miraland, enabling players to interact asynchronously by leaving notes and capturing images with others’ virtual traces, fulfilling the lighter social needs of players who prefer relaxed engagement.
As the third beta ends, excitement for Infinity Nikki’s official release is higher than ever. Many players have expressed their anticipation to explore Miraland with Nikki.” With its thoughtful design and warmth, Infinity Nikki may breathe new life into the Nikki IP and prove that games crafted with female audiences in mind have a solid shot at reaching AAA status.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Feng Min for 36Kr.