There are plenty of parallels to draw between creating a film and creating a video game, but the interactive nature of the latter is a whole different ball game that brings with it unique challenges. Today, publisher Assemble Entertainment and developer Chaosmonger Studio offer a peek into the mind of a man who has filled both roles: Nicola Piovesan, Encodya Chief Developer and director of the critically-acclaimed short film Robot Will Protect You. In this latest behind-the-scenes featurette, “The Origins of Encodya”, Piovesan walks viewers through the process of creating a deeply personal film and taking those characters into the interactive world of video games.
Encodya follows a plucky lil’ orphan girl named Tina who lives in the rainy, dystopian streets of Neo-Berlin in the year 2062. Players will guide Tina and her best pal, a stalwart steel colossus named SAM-53, through a gorgeously rendered and meticulously detailed point-n’-click adventure in the vein of industry legends like Full Throttle, Monkey Island, and Day of the Tentacle. The characters and setting were inspired by Piovesan’s short film, bringing Tina and SAM-53 along for the ride, but features a totally new story and a more fleshed-out, interactive version of Neo-Berlin. Piovesan describes the complex process of turning a film into a video game and provides a level of insight into the craft rarely seen, from an individual with feet firmly planted in both worlds.
Key Features of Encodya:
●A Touching Story of Survival: The world of Neo-Berlin is a scary, aggressive place, but Tina and SAM-53 find strength in their bond that will help see them through to better times
●A Glimpse Into our Potential Future: The corporate dystopian hell of 2062 with its eerily prescient billboards and familiar ad jingles offers a reflection — and a warning — about our contemporary world and where we might be headed, thanks to a brilliantly realized world designed by Nicola Piovesan
●Come Back Again Soon: There is plenty to explore in Neo-Berlin, and to keep players visiting again and again, Encodya’s puzzles are randomly generated, so each new playthrough provides a unique challenge!
●Old Fashioned, Hand-Crafted Design: Like your favorite Indie band or craft beer, Encodya was a passion-project designed by a hands-on developer with a very specific vision brought to life with careful consideration for every detail
Encodya is now available on Windows PC, Mac, and Linux platforms via Steam and GOG for $24.99 USD. To learn more about the game please head over to the Steam page. Assemble is also offering a special “Save The World Edition” for $34.99 USD that includes the artbook, soundtrack, behind-the-scenes footage, and wallpapers. As such, for every Save The World Edition of Encodya sold, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Plan International, a charity committed to advancing children’s rights and equality for young girls.
Featurette Trailer:
Screenshots:
