TapBlaze, the studio behind the global hit Good Pizza, Great Pizza, has launched a new mobile game, Good Coffee, Great Coffee, available today on both iOS and Android devices. This free-to-play title offers players the chance to buy cosmetics through in-app purchases, with potential future updates including customizable shops and equipment.
After a decade of perfecting its pizza-themed game, TapBlaze is now venturing into the world of coffee. CEO Anthony Lai and a small team have spent the last five years developing Good Coffee, Great Coffee, set in the same charming universe as its predecessor. The game has already garnered attention thanks to the success of Good Pizza, Great Pizza, which has been downloaded over 300 million times globally and attracts more than a million daily players.
Based in Los Angeles, TapBlaze’s team brings Lai’s personal passion for coffee into the game. Lai, who has spent years perfecting his latte art and exploring the coffee culture in Los Angeles, brings authenticity to the experience. “Pizza was a big part of my upbringing, but coffee has been my obsession for the past decade,” Lai shared. “I used to visit all the coffee shops in LA and observe how people interact with their baristas. I even practiced latte art for five or six years.”
In Good Coffee, Great Coffee, players take on the role of a barista in a vibrant city, learning to master complex coffee orders and managing a busy café. With a perfect blend of time-management and puzzle-solving elements, the game offers a compelling narrative, quirky characters, and a healthy dose of strategy and creativity.
The game’s art style features hand-drawn 2D graphics with soft pastel colors, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of a local café. A rich storyline, written by Mary Le, enhances the experience, while Yuni Cho, TapBlaze’s marketing manager, emphasized the importance of personalization. “The game allows players to decorate their shop, customize drinks, and even personalize their avatars,” Cho explained.
The gameplay involves refining equipment, experimenting with bold ingredients, and competing against rival brewers—dubbed “Brewists.” Players must balance efficiency and creativity as they work to impress customers and grow their business. Lai, reflecting on the development of Good Coffee, Great Coffee, mentioned that while the studio had learned a lot from their previous work, it was the right time to take on a new challenge. “We’re at a stage where we can afford to take risks, and it felt like the perfect moment to step into the coffee world.”
Since starting the project in 2020 with just one other team member, Lai has grown the team to 13 people. Despite the studio’s focus on Good Pizza, Great Pizza, many of the staff members contributed to both projects. One early design mistake—the placement of the milk steamer far from the coffee machine—was quickly fixed after Lai pointed it out.
The release of Good Coffee, Great Coffee comes after a long period of fan demand. The game’s open beta, which started in the Philippines and other Asian regions, generated considerable excitement. The fanbase responded enthusiastically to the first trailer, further fueling anticipation.
The game’s features include customizable cafés, a wide range of decorations, and 14 different toppings for creating unique coffee drinks. Players can test their barista skills, impress judges, and rise through the ranks to become a Master Brewist. They will also interact with the neighborhood’s locals, completing side quests to earn rewards and strengthen relationships. The game challenges players to balance growing their café with managing an increasingly crowded shop.
As players progress, they can upgrade equipment, unlock new ingredients, and explore interactive quests. Efficiently crafted drinks lead to better profits, while mistakes result in wasted ingredients and lost revenue. Lai’s aim was to create a more realistic coffee simulation, noting that many other coffee-themed games simplify the process. “We wanted to show a more authentic, detailed experience that reflects the real art of brewing coffee,” he said.
Despite the game’s ambitious features, TapBlaze’s marketing strategy remains focused on organic growth. The company is looking to build a fan community through word-of-mouth and collaborations with content creators, such as VTubers. South Korea, known for its love of coffee culture, has shown particular enthusiasm for the game. While TapBlaze is not focusing heavily on paid user acquisition, Lai sees it as an emerging part of their marketing plan.
Good Coffee, Great Coffee is now available for download on iOS and Android, offering players a unique and enjoyable take on the business simulator genre, with endless customization options and relaxing yet challenging gameplay.
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