#pode

Indie Game Spotlight: Pode

We think this week’s Indie Game Spotlight is pretty rock solid! Pode is the story of a little rock helping a fallen star find its way home. As they travel through the vast cave systems of mount Fjellheim, the player(s) must help them navigate puzzles and obstacles to get them to the top of the mountain. It’s a story of friendship and cooperation, and of finding companionship in the most unlikely of places.

We asked Yngvill Hopen, the founder and CEO of Henchman & Goon, and the director of the game, about co-op mechanics, inspiration, and cultural references. Read on!

What inspired the game?

The idea for this game came to me after I became a mother. I was looking for games to play with my kid, but everything I found was either dull for me or too difficult for him. So I really wanted to make something that we could enjoy together.

What are some of the co-op mechanics we can use?

We wanted to set up Pode so that it would be really friendly to people who might not be used to playing games. It plays perfectly as a single-player experience, but a second player can drop in and out at any time. I think one of the most significant co-op mechanics is that the players can switch which character they’re controlling with the push of a button. This allows for asymmetric levels of difficulty, making the experience enjoyable for players with different levels of experience. A parent can play with their child, and take care of the difficult tasks, while the child can play around in the grass, making things grow, and still feel part of the experience.

How did Norwegian art and culture influence your world-building for Pode?

We wanted to use our love of nature to create a unique visual experience for the players, so each level of Pode has been directly inspired by a specific type of Norwegian landscape (fjords, pine woods, tundra, etc.). However, as we knew we weren’t going to take this in a photo-realistic direction, we also took inspiration from the Norwegian national romantic era. This era really celebrates Norwegian nature, but at the same time, is characterized by this beautiful stylistic type of traditional rose painting. That became the main inspiration for the flora of the game, and we developed a style that fit those criteria, but with a modern cartoony feel to it.

What do you hope players will take away from your game?

I really just wanted to make something beautiful for people to enjoy and immerse themselves in. I hope they enjoy the art, the music, and the calm atmosphere, and maybe it can be a good bonding experience for those who play co-op.

Will we cry?

I don’t know! Maybe? I mean, we’ve had fans tell us they cried at the end, so I think it’s at least possible.