After 20 Years Gaming Collectively, 3 Dads Began Coding—And Constructed Their Dream

Three dads from Norway have made their childhood dream of constructing a online game come true. 

The trio—Kim Skogvold, a kindergarten trainer, Håvar Ringheim, a buying supervisor and warehouse employee Kristian Wangen—have been associates since 2006.  

Between them, they’ve six kids, day jobs and lives unfold throughout Oslo and Larvik. For years, gaming nights and film marathons had been their approach of staying shut. That ultimately developed into what they jokingly dubbed the “Night Shift”: logging on collectively after dishes had been achieved and youngsters had been asleep to show themselves recreation improvement from scratch. 

Kim informed Newsweek that the turning level got here three years in the past throughout a New Year’s celebration spent along with their households.  

“That’s when we decided to stop talking about it and actually do something,” he mentioned. “The first two years went into trying to learn the coding language, the software and the business in general, while at the same time working our normal jobs and trying to be the best parents we could.” 

Progress was gradual and sometimes invisible, however over time one thing modified. Systems began working and the sport turned playable from starting to finish. By the time Kristian—who additionally has a level in 3D animation—formally joined the venture in the summertime of 2025, the query was now not if they’d end, however when. 

Parenthood formed almost each facet of the method. Gone had been marathon coding periods fueled by caffeine and free weekends. Instead, the dads turned “productivity ninjas,” carving out tight home windows of targeted work round bedtime routines.  

“Creatively, this constraint shaped the game itself,” the dads defined. “We started appreciating ‘snackable’ gaming—something you can jump into, cause 30 minutes of absolute mayhem, and put down again. It’s a game designed for a parent’s limited schedule.” 

That design philosophy is baked into C.A.R.S. (Creating A Ridiculous S***present), a physics-based sandbox recreation that formally launched on Steam on January 23. 

The premise is intentionally cathartic: an outdated man snaps after a freeway is constructed subsequent to his quiet cabin, utilizing improvised weapons and absurd physics to disrupt visitors and reclaim peace.  

The dads described it as channeling “Grumpy Old Man” vitality. “It’s a digital, harmless version of shaking your head at the absurdity of everyday life and letting it all out in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone,” they added. 

Learning recreation improvement whereas juggling careers got here with surprises. The depth of recent instruments was each empowering and humbling, revealing simply how a lot labor hides behind even the smallest particulars.  

The hardest moments got here throughout what they name “sickness marathons”—weeks of sleepless nights with sick youngsters, adopted by full workdays and the daunting considered opening the sport engine at 9 p.m.  

What stored them going was their friendship and a shared settlement to permit actual life to take precedence. 

“Being best friends also means giving each other room for real life,” Kim defined. “If one of us needs a week off to do renovations on the house or focus on family, there’s no pressure. That mutual respect kept the project alive.” 

The dads shared their story in a post on Reddit’s r/gaming channel, which has acquired over 2,500 upvotes and feedback.

“We just wanted to show that even in the middle of the toddler-chaos (as seen in the photo), it’s possible to chase a hobby,” they wrote underneath the username u/Balbonator. “We’re tired, but incredibly proud.”

Early launch outcomes have already surpassed their hopes. Within the primary half hour, round 60 copies bought. Just weeks in the past, Kim admitted he’d be completely happy if a single stranger purchased the sport.  

“Seeing real, unknown players actually download it on day one already feels like a small victory,” they added. 

Now, the dads are targeted on listening to suggestions and letting the venture discover its footing. More than something, they hope their story resonates with different dad and mom—or associates with long-shelved goals.  

“Unfinished dreams don’t disappear—they just wait until you’re ready to show up for them, even in small ways,” they mentioned. “If three tired dads from Norway can get a game on Steam, your dream is definitely doable too.”