That’s exactly what we did with Wildchain. We took inspiration from some of our favorite games, added our own unique twist, and created something truly innovative for our players. Today, we want to give you a quick overview of five games that inspired us and share what really stood out—whether it was a specific mechanic or something we loved—about each game.
5. Neko Atsume: Collecting Cute Cats
Let’s kick things off with Neko Atsume. For those unfamiliar, “Neko” means cat in Japanese, and “Atsume” means to collect—and that’s exactly what this game is about: collecting adorable cats! It’s such a simple and relaxing experience. You set out food, toys, and décor, then leave the game. When you return, you never know what cute cats have visited. It’s always a fun surprise, especially when you finally attract that rare cat you’ve been hoping for.
The part we love most about Neko Atsume is the anticipation and surprise. You’re always excited to check back and see what’s new. We wanted Wildchain to capture that same feeling—where players feel that sense of excitement when discovering which animals have made their way into their sanctuary.
4. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp: Customization with Purpose
Next up is Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. This game is all about creating your own little world at your own pace. You decorate your campsite, invite friends, and even catch bugs or fish. What stood out to us was the way the characters you invite have specific needs, and you have to fulfill them to get them to visit. It really pushes you to decorate thoughtfully and make your camp as cozy as possible.
We loved how this system gave purpose to customization. In Wildchain, we wanted players to feel that same motivation—not just to decorate for fun, but to make their sanctuary a welcoming space for animals.
3. Gardenscapes: Progress Through Puzzles
For number 3, we look at Gardenscapes. At first glance, it’s a match-3 game, but it’s much more than that. What makes it special is how it combines match-3 puzzles with story progression and garden restoration.
A fun fact: Gardenscapes actually started as a hidden object game, but Playrix made a huge pivot and switched to match-3 gameplay. Why? Likely because of scalability—match-3 games are easier to create content for, and it’s faster to roll out new levels.
What really inspired us about Gardenscapes is how it fuses puzzles with storytelling and decorating. We wanted to bring that same balance into Wildchain, where players can nurture and grow their sanctuary while seeing real progress as they care for wildlife.
2. Tamagotchi: Nurturing with Consequences
Who can forget Tamagotchi? Those little virtual pets we had to feed, clean, and keep happy. Tamagotchi was a huge inspiration for Wildchain, too.
The standout feature for us was the sense of consequence. If you neglected your Tamagotchi, things could go bad quickly. Watching your pet get sick or worse added real responsibility and urgency to the game.
We wanted to bring that sense of nurturing with consequences into Wildchain as well. The animals in your sanctuary need care, and your actions directly affect their wellbeing. It’s about creating that rewarding bond but also understanding that your choices matter.
1. Pokémon Blue: Collecting, Caring and Trading
Finally, our top inspiration is Pokémon, specifically Pokémon Blue Edition for the Game Boy Color. This game defined a generation!
What really inspired us was how Pokémon Blue allowed players to collect and train 150 Pokémon, but it wasn’t just about capturing them—you built real bonds by training and evolving them, making your team stronger over time.
Another game-changing feature? You could trade Pokémon with friends using the Game Boy link cable. This added a social dimension to the game that we found inspiring.
In Wildchain, we wanted to create that same sense of bonding and progression—where players adopt animals, care for them, and watch their ecosystem flourish, much like building your ultimate Pokémon team.
These are just a few of the games that inspired us to create Wildchain. Each brought something unique to the table and helped shape our vision into what the game is today. Now, we need your help to take it to the next level!
Wildchain is currently in alpha testing phase, and we’d love for you to be part of the journey. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you on Discord!
4 Comments
This was a fantastic read! It’s fascinating to see how Wildchain draws inspiration from such a diverse range of games.
Thank you, Richard!
Great read! Pokemon Blue will forever have a special place in my heart!
rvdeip