https://store.steampowered.com/app/452120/Midvinter
Midvinter was the first game I made as an indie developer, and I did everything but the music myself. This inclused but is not limited to puzzle design. Unity/C# implementation, 2D art and 2D animation.
My key responsibilities:
- Gameplay & puzzle design
- Unity/C# implementation
- Writing
- 2D art
- 2D animation
In this cozy point-and-click fairytale, you take on the role of a gnome on an abandoned farm. When you realize that humans have come to live there once more, you find yourself useful again – but also that you will have to work harder than ever to keep them safe from the dark creatures that lurk out in the forest. You might even have to call on some of the fair folks for help, which does not come without a price…
The game draws heavily from Swedish folklore and history, with art inspired by artists such as John Bauer and Alvaro Tapia. It uses puzzles and riddles to tell its story, and there are several different ends to it. The player will also get to experience unique music and compelling voice over, as well as discover part of Sweden’s history, since the game takes place in the 19th century – a time where over a million people left the country to avoid starvation and build a new life for themselves.
For this project, I did a lot of research into the time period in question, in order to get the facts and the vibe right. When it comes to folklore, there are of course hundreds of different variations of each story, meaning I had to choose interpretations I felt fitted in the narrative I wanted to weave. In many cases, I chose the version I grew up with, as I try to rely on “write what you know” whenever possible. This is the reason why I chose to base the game on Swedish folklore to begin with, since it gave me a head start and avoided an outsider’s misconceptions.
Release trailer: