CookieRun: OvenSmash Director Thinks PvP Shouldn’t Only Be for Hardcore Players

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Player-versus-player (PvP) games often have a reputation for being difficult and unwelcoming, especially for casual players. They can be dominated by highly skilled players who dedicate a lot of time to mastering a single game, creating a steep learning curve. As competitive games become more complex, this perception has only grown. But what happens when a friendly and accessible game like CookieRun tries to change things up and enter the competitive scene? CookieRun: OvenSmash aims to do just that, offering a PvP experience that’s enjoyable for players of all skill levels and preferences, letting everyone feel like they can succeed.

I recently read a really interesting interview with WonYoung Lee, the game director for CookieRun: OvenSmash. They were talking about how tough it was to take the CookieRun universe – which has always been about collecting and adventure – and turn it into a fast-paced, real-time PvP game. Apparently, the team is trying to balance keeping the fun, lighthearted CookieRun vibe we all love with the quick, intense action you expect from a competitive PvP game. It sounds like they’re focusing on short, exciting matches and different modes to make it work, and it’s cool to hear how they’re approaching it all.

CookieRun: OvenSmash Wants to Make PvP More Inviting

A major challenge when adapting the cheerful and engaging world of CookieRun into the competitive arena of PvP gaming is finding the right balance between staying true to its original identity and delivering intense competition. Shifting to a battle format creates expectations that don’t always match what players expect from CookieRun, particularly because PvP often focuses heavily on player skill. For WonYoung Lee, creating OvenSmash wasn’t just about making a competitive game; it was about ensuring that competition still felt like a natural fit within the CookieRun universe.

We began with the CookieRun franchise and wanted to create a battle arena game – a genre known for being highly competitive. Our main challenge was figuring out how to make it feel distinctly CookieRun, maintaining the franchise’s unique style while still delivering a fierce competitive experience. Essentially, we focused on how to successfully transform CookieRun into a player-versus-player (PVP) game.

It’s tempting to assume the new game, CookieRun: OvenSmash, is simply copying popular titles like Brawl Stars. With its colorful characters, fast-paced matches, and team-based battles, the similarities are obvious. However, the developers at Devsister weren’t trying to compete with those games. Instead, they focused on creating a unique experience and understanding what players would specifically enjoy about OvenSmash itself.

Ultimately, the key is to focus on what really sets CookieRun: OvenSmash apart from other player-versus-player games. Many games like this depend a lot on how skilled the player is, which can be discouraging for those who don’t want to invest a lot of time or effort into mastering the gameplay. Lee explained that the team specifically wanted to overcome this challenge and create a unique experience with CookieRun: OvenSmash.

In competitive games, when you face much better players, it often feels like you’re just losing to their experience. Small mistakes can quickly lead to bigger problems, which can make the game frustrating. A large skill gap can be really discouraging, and if it’s too difficult to master the game, it can turn players away. That’s why we included elements of chance alongside skill. This allows players of any level to enjoy the game through different modes and special features, helping them compete even if they’re less experienced.

What’s unique about CookieRun: OvenSmash is how it approaches fairness in player-versus-player battles. Unlike many games that reward only the most skilled players, CookieRun: OvenSmash focuses on keeping everyone engaged, even if players have different skill levels. This doesn’t make the game easy, but it does add enough unpredictability so matches don’t feel predetermined.

This concept is central to Lee’s vision for the game’s role within the genre. Instead of just trying to beat other player-versus-player games, CookieRun: OvenSmash aims to redefine who those games are designed for.

I definitely think we can achieve that. I personally enjoy player-versus-player (PVP) games, but they can be stressful, and sometimes matches aren’t very satisfying, which makes it hard to play for extended periods. It seems like most people who stick with PVP are very dedicated players. We want to make PVP accessible and fun for everyone, not just the hardcore players. Our goal is to bridge the gap between new and experienced players, and ultimately set a new standard for the PVP genre.

The real challenge – and potential – comes from uniting both casual and competitive players. Typically, player-versus-player games become increasingly difficult as skilled players improve, which can discourage newcomers. If Cookie Run: OvenSmash can create an environment where everyone feels welcome, it could not only find a dedicated audience but also influence how competitive games handle accessibility in the future.

Lee’s main goal is simple: he wants players to enjoy CookieRun: OvenSmash so much that they invite their friends and keep coming back for more. Devsisters believes making the game accessible to everyone is key to achieving this, encouraging players to connect and play together.

CookieRun: OvenSmash is scheduled to be released globally on March 26, 2026 for iOS and Android.

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2026-03-25 04:05