As part of Thailand NOW’s mission to spotlight the people shaping Thailand’s creative present, we turn to the teams working behind the screens: the animators, storytellers, and developers building worlds that travel far beyond borders.
In this edition of People NOW, we speak with Nat Yoswatananont, Founder and CEO of Igloo Studio, the Bangkok-based animation studio that collaborated with U.S.-based AdHoc Studio on the award-winning indie game “Dispatch.”
Released on October 22, 2025 on Steam, “Dispatch” is a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter. Developed and published by AdHoc Studio, the game blends branching narrative, strategy mechanics, and sharp humor.
Players take on the role of Robert Robertson III (voiced by Aaron Paul), also known as Mecha Man, who — after losing his mech-suit in battle — is reassigned from hero to dispatcher, managing a team of ex-supervillains while navigating office politics and personal redemption.
For Igloo Studio, the collaboration marks another step in Thailand’s growing presence within the global animation and game development ecosystem.
Igloo’s partnership with AdHoc Studio didn’t begin with “Dispatch.” It started years earlier.
“Our partnership with AdHoc Studio began a few years ago during the ‘My Daemon’ project,” Nat explains. “They were looking for a studio to collaborate with on an interactive project and reached out after discovering our work.”
From the beginning, the creative alignment felt natural.
“We were immediately drawn to their creative vision and their thoughtful approach to storytelling and interactivity, which closely aligned with our own values and way of working,” he says.
The collaboration deepened over time, including in-person visits.
“It was a pleasure welcoming the AdHoc Studio team to our office in Bangkok, and we’ve been honored to continue this collaboration ever since.”
Working on an interactive, choice-driven game introduces a different kind of complexity compared to traditional linear animation. For Igloo, that meant rethinking workflow.
“The creative dynamic between Igloo Studio and AdHoc Studio was highly collaborative and built on mutual trust,” Nat says. “We aligned early on creative direction while giving each team space to contribute their strengths.”
With experience serving international clients, Igloo was prepared for the logistical challenges of global production.
“With our experience working with international clients, we’re comfortable managing cross-border collaboration by refining workflows early and using the right tools to stay connected across time zones and cultures.”
The biggest creative hurdle came from the branching structure of “Dispatch” itself.
“The most challenging aspect would have been in designing a workflow for branching scenarios,” he explains. “Unlike our typical serial projects where events follow a single linear path, ‘Dispatch’ required managing multiple potential outcomes.”
Unlike a conventional animated series, where scenes progress in a fixed order, “Dispatch” demanded systems that could account for player choice, and the ripple effects those choices create.
As development progressed, something shifted.
“As development progressed and the narrative and interactive elements began to fully come together, we realized ‘Dispatch’ had the potential to be something special,” Nat says. “The level of detail and care shared by both teams made that clear early on.”
“Dispatch” carries recognizable creative DNA. It comes from the writers and directors behind “Tales from the Borderlands” and “The Wolf Among Us,” and features a wide-ranging voice cast that includes Paul, Laura Bailey, Matthew Mercer, and Jeffrey Wright. The project sits at the intersection of narrative gaming, animation, and performance, a space where Thai studios are increasingly participating.
Asked about Thailand’s current position in animation and game development, Nat points to momentum.
“New opportunities are emerging as the global surge in anime’s popularity continues to open new doors for the industry,” he says. “This trend is creating more visibility and demand for animation and game development in Thailand, where we see strong creative talent and growing production capabilities.”
He references the global impact of “Demon Slayer” as an example of how animation can reshape international demand and cultural consumption patterns.
That visibility matters, especially as Thailand strengthens its production incentives.
“With Thailand’s 20% cash rebate for animation, VFX, and game now officially in place, we’re excited to see how it will translate into real opportunities for local studios,” Nat says. “We believe this initiative will help strengthen Thailand’s position on the global stage by encouraging greater international collaboration, investment, and long-term industry growth.”
The rebate signals something larger: an ecosystem increasingly aware that animation and games are not niche subcultures, but scalable industries.
Igloo Studio is also expanding its ambitions beyond project-based collaboration.
“At Igloo Studio, we are broadening our IP business horizons, whether through producing our own original titles or engaging in strategic co-productions,” Nat says. “Also, by building robust IP ecosystems with our clients, we aim to elevate our collaborations into enduring, long-term partnerships.”
That shift — from service provider to IP stakeholder — reflects a broader evolution within Thailand’s creative industries. Ownership, long-term value, and strategic positioning are becoming part of the conversation.
For young Thai artists and developers hoping to work on globally recognized projects, Nat keeps it practical.
“While harnessing a strong foundation is crucially important for artists, keeping up with the trends and sharpening new skills amidst the constant development in innovations are also unavoidable qualities to succeed in this ever-changing industry.”
The message is clear: technical fundamentals matter, but adaptability matters just as much.
Of course, no conversation about “Dispatch” would be complete without addressing the “best girl” fandom debate. Choosing between Blonde Blazer or Invisigal (or Malevola)?
“Choosing the ‘best girl’ is impossible,” Nat says. “For us, every single guy and girl in ‘Dispatch’ is a perfect ensemble. We have truly loved this journey with them and are beyond proud to see the rest of the world finally embracing them just as much as we do.”
It’s a diplomatic answer, and perhaps the only safe one.
For Igloo Studio, “Dispatch” represents a lot more than a credit line on an international title. It signals Thailand’s expanding role in global interactive storytelling. No longer just as a silent subcontractor, but as a creative collaborator helping shape the worlds players inhabit.
As Thai studios move further into IP development, co-productions, and international partnerships, the line between “local” and “global” continues to blur. What remains constant is the talent, and the quiet confidence, behind the work.
Paul Rujopakarn