Strange Scaffold operates with a philosophy that challenges traditional indie game development. Under the leadership of founder Xalavier Nelson Jr., it’s a radical experiment in how games are made—an approach that prioritizes speed, efficiency, and sustainability without sacrificing creativity.
“I believe games can be made better, faster, cheaper, and healthier than the industry currently allows,” Nelson tells MonsterVine. And the numbers back it up. Strange Scaffold has released 15 games in just five years, a feat that most studios can only dream of.
More than just increasing output, Strange Scaffold is on a mission to challenge and transform the industry’s flawed business structure. “Right now, if a studio spends years on a game and it doesn’t recoup its costs in a month, that studio dies. That’s bad for business and bad for art,” Nelson explains. Strange Scaffold’s approach challenges that, proving that smaller budgets and tighter timelines can lead to greater creative risks and ultimately, better games.
The Power of Constraints: Making TMNT Tactical Takedown
Strange Scaffold’s latest project, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. “We made the game in 18 months for under $300,000,” Nelson reveals. “Some people might ask why it doesn’t have feature X or Y, but what we gained was the ability to tell a bold, new story.”
That story? A TMNT game that dares to kill off both Splinter and Shredder before the game even begins, pushing the turtles toward an emotional journey about brotherhood and growing up. “If we had a bigger budget, we’d be told to make Shredder’s Revenge again. That’s just how the industry works. But players deserve fresh experiences, not just safe bets.”
Risk Aversion Is Killing Creativity
The increasing costs of game development have made publishers more risk-averse than ever. “A game that starts with a $10 million budget often ends up costing $50 million because delays are inevitable,” Nelson explains. “That means fewer games get greenlit, fewer genres are explored, and players get a narrower selection.”
The result? Entire genres go dormant because publishers aren’t willing to bet on them. “When’s the last time we had a major breakthrough in stealth games?” Nelson asks. “Instead, everyone just wants another Blasphemous clone because it sold well. That’s a stagnant industry.”
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
One of Strange Scaffold’s strengths is its ability to pull game ideas from unexpected places. Nelson’s Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator was inspired by a real-life hospital visit where a doctor casually offered to show him his own organs via ultrasound. El Paso, Elsewhere was born from deeply personal themes of heartbreak and self-discovery.
And what’s next? “My wife has gotten really into coin-pusher arcade machines,” Nelson laughs. “I think there’s something fascinating there. I don’t know what that game looks like yet, but every day is an opportunity to find a new idea.”
The Future of Strange Scaffold
So, where does Nelson see Strange Scaffold in five years? “Hopefully, still making games exactly like this—stable, sustainable, and creatively fulfilling.” Rather than chasing AAA expansion, the focus is on demonstrating a sustainable and innovative approach to game development.
And maybe, just maybe, starting a band on the side. “I picked up the bass last year,” Nelson admits. “Maybe I’ll figure out a way to jam at GDC.”
