Factsheet

Developer:
NunnyDev
Based in Portugal

Release date:
TBD

Platforms:
iOS
Android
Nintendo Switch

Website:
indiedb.com/games/growing-hope

Description

Growing Hope is a platformer featuring a rhythm based combat system. Following Hope in their adventure inside of the mind of a depressed salesman, Mike. They must climb their way up to the brain and get rid of all influences that were created by Mike's anxiety. Purify the influences and make Mike change for the better.

History

Beginning with the idea of setting a game all inside one room, Growing hope didn't have much to work on, other than the theme - depression.

Eventually, this room turned into a house. Then, the ideas sprung in.

Concepts appeared, changed and were adapted. Starting with a room in 3d to making the first level a surreal landscape, tiled in 2d.

The main thing the game would teach was on how to rid of one's depression. However, this was too ambitious.

I thought that it would be even better if I, instead, gave tips on how to treat anxiety and depression during the moments where someone can't just really ask for help. This would turn into a mechanic of its own as an healing item.

There is no outside force at play, Hope doesn't even really treat Mike.

He incetivizes Mike to grow better as a person, to seek The help he desperately needs. So, the theme of the game remained consistent.

The comic book style came from sources like the old Amazing Spider Man comics I owned, the general dark moody styles fitting with what the game is trying to present.

Other ideas for the game came from:

Cry of Fear, where the main enemies are symbolic to the life or experiences of the main character.

Yume Nikki, since its whole premise is set inside a dream. the empty and curious atmosphere incentivizing exploration.

Lastly, a book called "The inconvenience of being born" which has some quotes that were useful to think about and interpret into the game.

During the making of the main mechanics - that were initially a little barebones, having only the ability of running and jumping - a bug appeared that would allow the player to boost their jump height out of any ramp. This was turned into a mechanic, and, not only was easy to learn, but allowed for multiple ways of dealing with the same scenario, being able to boost jump away from enemies, skipping whole platforming segments, or even just making a very useful movement tool.

The combat system and enemy design came last. A rhythm based system, focused on the player hitting a sweetspot in sync with the pointer that goes back in forth in the battle menu to deplete the enemy's HP. The player can't run away from battles. So they're more to be a good distraction and punishment for bad platforming.

Enemy design was also really troublesome to get right. I wanted it to be unsettling and imposing, but not look to repetitive. I managed to find a way to make the enemies stand out, while looking soemwhat similar, some having vastly different heights, designs and movement patterns. Their animations and personalities varied, too. This was made so the enemies would be identifiable and very memorable.

Overall, I wanted the game to bring some awareness to the people who suffer from anxiety or depression, that need a little push but don't know what to do. Showing them facts about items that they could consume to help.

Features

• Side Scrolling Platforming
• Surreal Backgrounds and Enemies
• Rhythm Based Combat System
• Real facts by Nutritionists and Psychologists
• Comic book styled presentation

Growing Hope Credits

GimpyGoo
Founder

Contact

Support
gppnsi@gmail.com

Twitter
twitter.com/gimpystuff