When Leif Gutowski explains his game, one thing necessarily leads to the other. Everything is there for a reason. How did he come up with the idea of developing a game about inspecting cards? He gestures toward framed trading cards hanging on the wall. He used to play with them a lot. “They have been behind the glass pane for at least 15 years.” 

Leif clearly knows how to build on his personal passions in a way that draws others in. He is enthusiastic about horror. He enjoys watching indie game streams. He has a history with trading cards. With “Encaged & Ungraded”, he fits all these elements on a single desk. 

Terrible Trading Cards 

The project is only a few months old, but Leif brings several years of professional experience to the table. His vision is sharp, and progress has been fast. Leif describes the game idea as “a mix of anomaly horror and job sim” – you sit at a desk and inspect cards for condition and authenticity, but also for dangerous, hidden threats. Some cards might be fake, but they could also be cursed. 

The project was inspired, among other things, by “Inscryption”. A Markiplier stream, where the creator asked for more horror games involving cards, confirmed Leif’s decision to pursue the idea. His game also fits in with the growing number of creepy jobs cropping up in indie games recentlys Titles like “Dollmare”, which is ostensibly about quality control in a doll factory, are another inspiration for him. But “Encaged & Ungraded” is less about exploring a workplace; it zooms in closer. You’re hunched over a desk, scrutinizing beautifully illustrated cards that may hide something terrible. Some need to be sealed before whatever lurks inside can escape. 

Leif can explain the idea convincingly and show why it is scoped right. Experience from previous projects and game jams shape his approach. Still, the Games Lift Incubator has proven a “deep dive into all areas” – so far, Leif’s focus has been on the actual game development. Now he is getting advice on other crucial aspects such as marketing. 

Interactive Gifts 

Leif emphasizes how much he enjoys the human side of the incubator. Getting advice and listening is important to him. Even as a solo developer, he sees himself as a team player. When he talks about his journey and the genesis of the project, he often comes back to the place making it possible: Hamburg. Here, he trained as a software developer, studied at HAW Hamburg, and has grown a professional network for years. Before he applied to the Games Lift Incubator, he consulted with professionals and talents he had met through training and work – like “Map Map”developer Lukas Hort. 

Leif is particularly grateful for the support of Nadine Oestreich. The illustrator created the key artwork for “Encaged and Ungraded”, and also advises him on art direction. For Leif, involving artists like her is part of the appeal of his work. He switched from other coding jobs to game development because personal passion matters to him. When people get inspired and “add their own spin,” the project only gets stronger in his eyes. Giving others influence, he says, is “a core aspect I love about the idea.” And the more people share this enthusiasm, the better the game will be in the end.