Exclusive Interview: Anis Fahir, CEO of HDOKI, Talks Challenges and the Exciting Beta Launch of Gog & Magog
With the first beta of Gog & Magog officially out in the wild, we sat down with Anis Fahir, CEO of OKI NEXT TECH, to dive into the journey behind this ambitious project. Gog & Magog is a multiplayer card game that blends blockchain tech and crypto payments, offering a unique experience for players. Anis opens up about the ups and downs of development, the roadblocks they faced, and how a supportive community and loyal investors helped keep the dream alive.
Why Gog and Magog?
“The story of Gog and Magog is deeply rooted in the sacred texts of the three major monotheistic religions. These figures have captivated people for centuries, linked to both ancient events and future prophecies. The idea that they might return before the end of the world provides a compelling backdrop for our project, allowing us to explore themes of both the past and the future.
My inspiration comes from a deep love of epic fantasy. I admire J.R.R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales. George R.R. Martin for A Song of Ice and Fire, Steven Erikson for Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Chronique d’Abou-Djafar Mohammed Tabari. These authors, along with my passion for role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and the Final Fantasy saga, have shaped my approach to character development and world-building. With Gog and Magog, we are integrating these elements as a team to create a universe that blends history, mythology, and fantasy.”
Ambitions vs. Budget: The Balancing Act
From the start, Anis is refreshingly open about the realities OKI NEXT TECH has faced with Gog & Magog. “Releasing the beta is a huge milestone for us, but the road here hasn’t been easy. Budget constraints have really limited what we can do” he says.
OKI NEXT TECH’s vision for Gog & Magog goes beyond your standard card game. They’re aiming to create a groundbreaking experience, using crypto payments and rewards via their very own OKI Token. But making this vision a reality has been no small feat, especially without a AAA-level budget.
On the complexity of navigating the financial and technological challenges, Anis explains: “We try to be very practical. While we build about 70% of our universe from scratch, we leverage pre-designed assets for the rest to avoid reinventing the wheel and stay within our budget. We also treat AI as a valuable teammate, though we maintain a strict 70/30 ratio of human guidance to AI assistance. It is vital to fully understand every line of code the AI produces to manage the risks. Ultimately, AI provides the bullet, but it takes human expertise to know how to shoot it right.“
When asked how they were able to manage such smooth multiplayer performance without the resources of a major studio, Anis said, “It really came down to being very disciplined with our code. Ensuring a multiplayer game doesn’t lag or desync requires a lot of careful optimization in C#, and keeping everything in sync across the network is always a significant challenge. We had to spend a lot of time understanding how network replication and state synchronization work within Unity to make the game feel responsive. It wasn’t about having a massive budget; it was just about the team being willing to dive deep into the technical details to make sure the experience was right for the players.”
Discussing how they try to achieve a cohesive and immersive dark-fantasy atmosphere, Anis said, “We recognize that we are far from having the resources of a AAA studio, but we really try to focus on the vision behind the world. Even with access to great 3D assets or tools, the real challenge is bringing them together into an atmosphere that feels gritty and real for the players. We tried to be very intentional with our resources, using lighting, post-processing, and shaders to create a cinematic and premium feel. It’s a reminder that you can’t really code an aesthetic; it’s something the team has to develop through a lot of artistic effort and care.”
He adds,
“We’re also implementing an automatic update process directly into the game launcher, which will streamline how players get the latest versions and features. This keeps us flexible and ensures the game stays fresh without the hassle of manual updates. It’s all part of our long-term plan to grow the game sustainably.”
As we discussed some of the more personal challenges, Anis shared a piece of wisdom from his homeland: “You know, in the Kingdom of Morocco, my country, there’s a funny saying that I really like: ‘being poor but brave’ (laughs). I love this Moroccan quote. It reminds us that, in the grand scheme of the universe, we’re all poor in some way. The best thing to do is to keep pushing forward and never let haters define who you are or what you can or can’t do.”
“But it’s no secret that we need a bigger budget to meet the tech requirements and attract top talent to keep things moving” he notes, emphasizing the importance of continued investment.
Why did you choose to launch a physical board game and collectible card packs?
“The board game is our physical anchor; it provides a tactile social hub and intrinsic value that digital platforms alone can’t replicate. The collectible card packs serve as the economic engine, by releasing them periodically, we create a ‘living economy’ with natural scarcity and an evolving meta-game, ensuring the ecosystem remains vibrant and sustainable for the long term.”
Meet the Team: Small but Mighty
A huge part of Gog & Magog’s publication comes down to the people behind the scenes. While OKI NEXT TECH is a small studio, it’s packed with talent and creativity.
“We’re a multidisciplinary team, but more than anything, we’re united by our passion for creativity. Our CFO, André, and Schani, the president, have been key in keeping the finances under control” Anis explains.
He’s particularly enthusiastic about Jimmy, Elias & Youssef: “I spent a lot of time eating code with Jimmy, our Creative Technologist, he is an artist. an incredible music composer. He shares the same vision as us, and his talent is undeniable. The synergy when we work together is real, Thank God for that.”
“I want to take a moment to praise our Creative Directors, Elias and Youssef, highly experienced individuals with remarkable expertise in creation, advertising, and communication, for their incredible contribution in building the universe of Gog and Magog. They’ve truly brought the vision to life. I also want to acknowledge the amazing work of our Web3 development team. Whether it’s writing the code or securing the servers, we’ve done a phenomenal job.”
Grateful for the Support
Despite the challenges,
OKI NEXT TECH has kept pushing forward, thanks in no small part to the continued belief and trust from their investors and incubators. Anis acknowledges how crucial their support has been in helping the team stay afloat.
“Our investors and incubators have had our backs every step of the way. Their trust in what we’re building has been invaluable. Without them, we wouldn’t have made it this far” Anis says, his gratitude unmistakable.
What’s Next for Gog & Magog
Now that the beta is out, OKI NEXT TECH is entering a new phase. The road ahead is still full of challenges, especially on the financial front, but Anis is optimistic.
“We’ve got a long way to go before we reach the final version, but we’re confident. With our community and investors behind us, we have the momentum to keep innovating. We’re aiming to raise enough funds not just to fully launch Gog & Magog, but also to develop a MOBA version with tradable NFTs, and establish an e-sports section. E-sports is a major part of our future vision, something we see as a pillar of what’s to come. Our goal is to deliver a game that’s not only fun, but also competitive and rewarding, with real crypto-based gains” he explains.
When I asked Anis how players can get started with Gog and Magog and how the in-game economy works, he explained:
“There’s a tutorial available on the website and also on the official Hdoki X page. But in short, it’s a free-to-play multiplayer card game. The in-game asset is called Gold, as classic as that. One Gold equals one OKI Token, our main utility token, available for trading on Dex-Trade. When you start, you get 2,000 free Gold, which you can use as collateral during ranked games. Every ranked game costs 500 Gold. If you lose, you forfeit the 500 Gold, but if you win, you take your opponent’s 500 Gold. Depending on your HDOKI Console membership, your winnings can be multiplied by 2, 3, or 4. Most importantly, you can buy the in-game asset Gold using OKI Token through an OKI Web3 Payment Solution, or convert your Gold into OKI and withdraw your rewards through the HDOKI Console.”
“The game is currently available for PC gamers, with Mac and mobile versions planned for the future. At present, our primary focus is on raising the necessary funds to support all production operations.”
Looking Forward
Through all the ups and downs, OKI NEXT TECH has remained true to its vision. The beta launch of Gog & Magog is a testament to the team’s dedication, offering a glimpse of what’s possible when creativity, tech, and blockchain collide. With a passionate team and an enthusiastic community behind them, OKI NEXT TECH’s future looks bright, and Gog & Magog is shaping up to be a game to watch.
