Dropsy (video game)
| Dropsy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Tendershoot A Jolly Corpse |
| Publisher(s) | Devolver Digital |
| Director(s) | Jay Tholen |
| Designer(s) | Jay Tholen Beau Langston |
| Programmer(s) | Jay Tholen David Walton |
| Artist(s) | Jay Tholen Jesse Bull |
| Writer(s) | Jay Tholen |
| Composer(s) | Chris Schlarb |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Genre(s) | Point-and-click adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Dropsy is an upcoming video game in development by Finland-based Tendershoot (pseudonym of Jay Tholen) and indie studio A Jolly Corpse, to be released on Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux in early 2015 under the publisher Devolver Digital. The game's development is funded by Kickstarter campaigns.
Gameplay
Dropsy is a point-and-click adventure centered around a clown named Dropsy. Players control Dropsy while exploring an open world in which they can interact with the environment, solve puzzles, and talk to non-player characters. In the game, Dropsy becomes an outcast after a fire at his family's circus and must work to discover the truth behind it in order to clear his name.[1] The game contains no text, as Dropsy can only communicate with animals, and so dialogue is represented by visual icons.[2][3] The game features over 50 minutes of live music composed and performed by Chris Schlarb.[4]
Development
Dropsy began on the Something Awful forums in 2008 as a choose-your-own adventure game illustrated by Jay Tholen about a clown named Dropsy; forum commentators would suggest what the character would do and the choices would be illustrated and added to the story. The character originated from a platformer game created by Tholen in 2004.[5] Demand for a playable version of the story increased and so Tholen began designing a game based around the story with the help of some members of the forum.[5] Tholen cites games such as EarthBound, Grim Fandango, and The Neverhood as inspirations for the game.[6] In 2011 a Kickstarter campaign raised $225 USD to fund a software package to help development, followed by another campaign in July 2013 which did not reach its $25,000 USD goal.[2][7] A third campaign, started in October 2013, asked for $14,000 USD and finished with nearly $25,000 USD raised.[8]On October 31, Tholen released a short horror version of the game titled Dropsy and the Black Lodge.[9] In November it was announced that Devolver Digital would be publishing the game, providing quality assurance and marketing, but not directing where the Kickstarter funds would be spent.[2]
References
- ↑ Kelly, Andy (30 December 2013). "Dropsy first-look: the surreal adventure game that wants you to love the unlovable". PC Gamer. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Matulef, Jeffrey (21 November 2013). "Devolver Digital to publish horrifying, adorable clown-based adventure Dropsy". Eurogamer. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Grayson, Nathan (25 October 2013). "Dropsy Is An Adorable, Grotesque Open-World Adventure". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Tholen, Jay (14 April 2014). "Big Ol' Development Update #3 - Chris Schlarb Soundtrack Featurette, Dialogue System". Retrieved 18 September 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gera, Emily (17 July 2013). "Dropsy: The surreal adventure game the Internet made". Polygon. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Sullivan, Lucas (13 July 2013). "Dropsy is weird to the power of clown…in a good way". Games Radar. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Polson, John (3 July 2013). "Dropsy: a dialogue-free adventure game about a carefree, hands-free clown". Indie Games. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ "Dropsy by Jay Tholen". Kickstarter. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ "Dropsy and the Black Lodge".