Two experienced gaming professionals have come together to form a new video game studio called Simply Sweet Games. Their debut game, Criss Cross Castle, was recently unveiled at this year’s Games Developer Conference.
Located in British Columbia, Simply Sweet Games was co-founded by Tina Merry and Carina Kom.
Merry has played a significant role in the development and launch of over twenty AAA and mobile video games, collaborating with renowned brands like FIFA, Need for Speed, and Battlefield, while working alongside industry giants such as Electronic Arts and King Activision.
Her co-founder at Simply Sweet Games, Carina Kom, is a seasoned video game director, producer, and industry advocate. With more than 15 years of experience, Carina has worked with teams from EA, Microsoft, and Unity to successfully release games across various platforms.
Kom previously established PVP Entertainment Guild, a non-profit organization in British Columbia that connects game developers with industry experts, mentors, and consultants. Moreover, Kom is an original member of Women in Games Vancouver, now known as Diversity in Games (DIG), which aims to promote and advance diversity within the gaming industry.
More Than Just a Game
Their initial offering, Criss Cross Castle, combines the intricacies of Scrabble and Crosswords with rogue-like elements that promise players a unique adventure. The studio plans to showcase a prototype at this year’s Game Developer Conference.
Tina Merry, CEO and co-founder, stated, “We are not just releasing a game; we are reshaping the word game genre. Criss Cross Castle represents the culmination of our team’s extensive experience and passion for creating captivating, deep gaming experiences.
“Criss Cross Castle is crafted to engage gamers seeking more from their puzzle and word games, offering a blend of strategic depth and immersive gameplay that sets a new benchmark for the genre. With polished visuals and innovative gameplay, it aims to establish a new standard for what word games can deliver.”
The new studio aims to “redefine gaming with a diverse global team, sustainable hiring practices, and inclusive creativity,” along with “delivering accessible yet highly polished games across various genres and platforms.”
