Summary
- Learn how the world of Azerim was created, inspired by Epic NPC Man’s YouTube series.
- Discover some of the development team’s favorite gear to use in the game.
- Nice Day for Fishing is available today for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Our pixel fishing adventure Nice Day for Fishing lands finally lands on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC today, and we’re really excited to be able to share on how it was made.
The story follows Baelin, the town’s humble fisherman. When a vast number of evils are released from a cursed magical chest and everyone but the NPCs vanish! (thanks a lot Baradun!) Baelin suddenly awakens with the powers of an Adventurer. Now it’s up to him to save Honeywood the only way he knows how – by fishing!
Building the World of Azerim
When we started designing the world of Azerim — the world in which Nice Day for Fishing takes place — we went deep into the Epic NPC Man universe, literally and creatively! We watched countless Viva La Dirt League videos, searching for iconic landmarks that every fan would recognize, even when reimagined in pixel art.
If you haven’t heard of Viva La Dirt League before, you’re missing out. The New Zealand comedy group creates clever, high-production sketches on YouTube that celebrate the fun, and the sometimes-absurd side, of gaming. Their videos dive into everything from the questionable logic in The Witcher, to tongue-in-cheek public service announcements for Hearthstone players. What makes them stand out is their background of being gamers themselves. They understand the meta-moments and inside jokes, the glitches and weird NPC behaviors everyone recognizes. Their long-running series Epic NPC Man is set inside a fictitious MMORPG game world Skycraft and covers the unseen lives of NPCs — from navigating player induced chaos, petty rivalries or that existential dread in hearing the NPC with one repeating voice line.
With incredible support from the VLDL team and their community, we gathered tons of reference material from maps, environmental notes, and even hints about regions that might appear in future episodes. We also thought about what makes for great fishing locations in general and matched those ideas to the Epic NPC Man world. A volcano? Sounds hot (and maybe a little dangerous.) A magical library turned slimy fish-infested ruin? That had to be in. And of course, The Undead Mines, because every fantasy world needs undead (fish).
We also wanted to bring fans to places that were only talked about in the show but never shown. Translating such a rich world into a 2D sidescroller, and dividing it into 12 underwater regions, was a challenge, but one that sparked endless creativity as we dove deeper into the lore of Azerim.
At the heart of it all lies Honeywood Village, complete with the original music from the VLDL videos. Seeing the Azerim map come to life in side-view, piece by piece, was both a challenge and a rewarding world-building experience.
Battles Beneath the Surface
When you think “fishing game,” you probably imagine a simple minigame. We didn’t want that. Nice Day for Fishing takes the act of fishing and turns it into a full-blown RPG-style battle system.
Once a fish bites, combat begins! Players attack with a button press, dealing damage and pulling the fish closer to the surface. But beware — these aren’t your average fish. They’ll fight back, reverse the line, and force you into a defensive stance. You’ll need to time your attacks, blocks, and spell casts while managing items and cooldowns — because even the fish have tricks up their fins.
Our goal was to make every battle feel like an epic encounter, not just a quick catch. You’ll see health bars, stamina meters, damage numbers, buffs, debuffs, and magic spells — everything you’d expect in a fantasy RPG.
And then there are the bosses. These deep-sea monsters are truly something else. As you chip away at their health, they shift forms, change phases, and unleash new abilities in classic RPG fashion. Get ready for some “This isn’t even my final form!” moments.
Gear Up — Top Fishing Tools of Azerim
There are plenty of ways to get your hands on powerful equipment — hidden treasure chests, upgraded shop inventories, or even bizarre side quests from Honeywood’s eccentric mayor. Whether you favor magic or brute strength, your playstyle determines what tools will serve you best.
Here are a few fan-favorite pieces of gear to look out for:
Bonecaller’s Rod
A perfect weapon for early offensive mages, this rod can be earned early on by completing the first set of the mayor’s side quests. It’ll carry you comfortably through the midgame until you’re ready for something stronger.
The Buckler
Great for defensive players who prefer to outlast rather than overpower. Found in a submerged treasure chest, its bonus defense can turn a seemingly impossible boss fight into a manageable one.
Obvious Wizard Hat
A must-have for glass-cannon mages. Once you gain more freedom of movement with your hook, head back to the ship at sea to find this stylish — and powerful — hat.
Ring of Great Recovery
Beyond healing potions and spells, this ring helps restore your health mid-battle. Whether you’re a tank, mage, or hybrid build, you can buy it from Willow’s shop to give yourself a little extra survivability.
Duel Ring
Earned after defeating the first boss, this ring helps new players time their blocks and parries more effectively. It’s a huge advantage early in the game and perfect for mastering defensive combat.
In general, however, the rule is: anyone who wants to have the very best equipment has to upgrade all the shops to the maximum level. Then you’ll find gear that offers the best of the best for mages, paladins, or warriors respectively.
Except for one exception — the reward for defeating the secret new boss. But we don’t want to spoil too much about that.
From peaceful moments in Honeywood to chaotic boss battles deep below Azerim, Nice Day for Fishing redefines what a “fishing game” can be — part parody, part adventure, and all heart.
If you’ve ever seen Viva La Dirt League’s Epic NPC Man YouTube series on YouTube, you’ll instantly recognize the iconic characters and laugh-out-loud moments, complete with epic quests and a whole bunch of fishing and achievements just waiting to be unlocked.
Your time of adventuring is here! Whether you’re chasing colossal catches, or just in it for the signature comedy of Viva La Dirt League, it’s a catch you won’t want to miss. Nice Day for Fishing is available today for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title!
Nice Day for Fishing – Epic Edition
Team17
Nice Day for Fishing
Team17