Award-winning Moonlight Peaks: An Exhilarating Journey Exploring Incredible Characters, Mind-Blowing Mechanics, and Beyond!

Cozy life sims have become extremely popular in recent years, but the abundance of similar games has caused them to blend together. However, Little Chicken Game Company's newest game, Moonlight Peaks, offers a fresh take on the genre by allowing players to become vampires and explore the night. While it includes the usual farming sim mechanics, Little Chicken has added magical elements to every aspect of the game. Moonlight Peaks is now available for wishlist on Steam.

During an interview with Game Rant, game director Yannis Bolman and art director Mia Boas discussed the creative features and diverse representation offered by Moonlight Peaks. The interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.

Bolman: My name is Yannis Bolman, and I am the Game Director for Moonlight Peaks at Little Chicken. I am also the CEO and one of the founders of Little Chicken Game Company. Throughout my time at Little Chicken, I have been involved in all aspects of game development, including directing and providing designs for our games. In addition to overseeing the company, I have served as the Game Director for Traffic Jams and contributed to car designs for REKT! In my current role on Moonlight Peaks, I am responsible for writing and serving as an artist, specializing in character and creature design.

Boas: Hello there! I go by the name Mia Boas and currently hold the position of Art Director at Moonlight Peaks. It has been about four years since I made the big move from Denmark to The Netherlands, and ever since then, I have been actively involved with Little Chicken. With a Masters degree in Game Design, I am adept at a variety of tasks ranging from 3D modeling to lighting and set dressing.

Bolman: We have been considering the idea of creating a life simulation game for a while now. We initially experimented with different concepts before deciding on Moonlight Peaks as our theme. Initially, we wanted to incorporate an eighties surfing theme to capture the laid-back surfer lifestyle. Additionally, we felt that incorporating multiplayer elements into the life simulation genre could introduce interesting gameplay mechanics. However, we were unable to perfect the surfing mechanic and were led to explore other themes. We briefly considered a hiking theme and even an animal photography theme, but neither felt like the right direction for us. Then, Mia proposed a vampire theme, which instantly resonated with the team and everything fell into place.

Content: The Vampire theme offers an abundant source of inspiration and allows us to unleash our imagination, incorporating magical elements to create a delightfully eerie take on Life Sims. After conducting a survey among life sim enthusiasts, the results confirmed that our choice of a magical vampire theme was indeed the right direction. As we continue to develop the game, we are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to redefine the vampire lore and infuse it with our own unique vision.

Initially, we were uncertain about the theme for our life-sim game. We pondered over ideas such as surfing, hiking with rogue-like elements, and even a multiplayer animal-photographer game. However, none of these themes seemed to capture the essence we were striving for. Personally, I sensed a dearth of magical-themed games in the genre, which inspired me to suggest a switch to a vampire theme. I had a strong desire to create a warm and inviting world brimming with hidden wonders and exploration, and the vampire theme was the perfect choice to breathe life into that enchanting atmosphere.

GR: What makes Moonlight Peaks different from other simulation games?

Bolman: The atmosphere is what sets Moonlight Peaks apart. We decided early on to create a nighttime setting, as you play as a vampire. This gives Moonlight Peaks a unique vibe that is not found in other life simulation games. Additionally, we have incorporated various vampire elements that bring a fresh twist to the familiar tropes of life sims. Transforming into a bat and using supernatural and magical elements to enhance farming provides us with plenty of opportunities to introduce exciting and unexpected features for players. The valuable feedback from our community helps us refine these elements even further.

Content: The player character in our game possesses a unique quality that distinguishes it from other life-simulation games. We have crafted a magical universe where anything and everything is possible. What truly sets our game apart, in my opinion, is the profound level of dialogue. It delves beyond mundane daily routines and instead focuses on unraveling mysteries, forming meaningful connections, and participating in genuine heartfelt conversations.

Now, let's delve into the player character's background and objectives as they embark on their thrilling adventure.

Content:

In Moonlight Peaks, a young vampire decides to leave home after a disagreement with their parents, especially their famous vampire father, Count Dracula. The father wants them to continue his legacy as a feared vampire, but they believe times have changed and they can't go around hurting people anymore. They move to Moonlight Peaks to prove that they can live as a vampire without causing harm. However, the legacy of their father continues to haunt them, and they must show that they are different. They meet the seven founding families of Moonlight Peaks and discover the connection between their own family and the town's history. The main storyline revolves around helping these families reunite and, in doing so, repairing their own broken family relationship.

GR: What is the daily life like in Moonlight Peaks?

Bolman: The key to enjoying Life Sims is to establish a personal daily routine. This includes tasks like attending to your farm, caring for your farm animals, engaging in quests to assist in-game characters, taking on odd jobs for rewards, and managing relationships with NPCs. Primarily, tending to your farm to maintain your energy levels is central to your daily schedule. By selling your harvested crops to supernatural beings in the local town, you gain access to a wide range of decorations that can be purchased. These decorations offer unlimited options for customizing your home, plot, and various parts of the town. Be prepared for the townspeople to burden you with their individual needs.

GR: Your Steam profile mentions opportunities for your character to explore different parts of the world. How extensive is the map? What can players anticipate in terms of the number of areas to discover?

We have a variety of exciting environments in store for players, but we're not ready to reveal all the surprises just yet. The town itself will serve as the main hub, featuring various shops and attractions. Additionally, we have plans to incorporate supernatural-themed areas that are connected to different families. These areas will include various biomes that you'll explore, with a thriving farm serving as a central focus in your journey.

GR: Can you tell us more about some of the life-sim activities like farming crops and building your home? How do they play a critical role in your character’s daily life?

In Moonlight Peaks, farming is an essential aspect of gameplay, providing the player with the cursed food they need to survive. As you advance, you'll discover ways to enhance and automate your farming techniques through the use of spells. In addition to cultivating crops, you'll have access to various resource generators such as herb gardens, mushroom groves, and kegs for producing a wide range of foods. As your journey progresses, you'll also have the opportunity to expand your farmland and house, unlocking new rooms and creating space for unique decorations. This allows you to personalize your living space and showcase your individual style and preferences.

Our aim is for players to establish their own legacy as a modern-day vampire in Moonlight Peaks. Not only will they experience a different way of life, but they will also have the ability to customize and decorate their very own Dracula castle, inspiring new vampire legends.

GR: I noticed on your Steam profile that you mentioned being skilled in crafting "eerie decorations." How integral is crafting to the gameplay experience? In what ways does it enhance the overall experience?

Boas: Crafting plays a significant role in gameplay as it offers players the ability to create both practical and visually appealing items. Through crafting practical items, players can optimize their gaming experience by obtaining tools that increase efficiency and effectiveness in their daily tasks. Additionally, they can also craft resource makers to expand their farm's functionality. On the other hand, crafting decorative items presents players with the opportunity to add a personal touch to their farm and establish a unique atmosphere.

Bolman: Some items can greatly enhance your farming routines, while others serve as mere decorative pieces to add a vampiric touch to your abode. Ultimately, it's the player's choice to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere or embrace the full gothic aesthetic!

GR: Are there alternative methods for acquiring home decor items?

Absolutely! You can find certain decorative items at different stores in the town, while others can be acquired during seasonal events or gifted by friendly NPCs.

Additionally, completing specific quests allows you to obtain exclusive decorations that are related to that particular quest.

Moonlight Peaks offers a diverse selection of characters to engage in romantic relationships with. How many characters can your player character pursue? And how do these relationships vary among different creatures such as vampires, werewolves, and humans?

At present, we have 15 characters available for romance, but we are actively seeking to increase that number. Our aim is to provide a wide range of character types to cater to every player's preferences, with each character possessing their own distinct personality traits. By fostering friendships with specific non-playable characters (NPCs), players can unlock various decorative items, blueprints, or other rewards that align with the supernatural leanings of said NPCs.

Bolman: By exploring the unique characteristics of each supernatural character, we aim to create a more immersive experience. During a full moon, werewolves will exhibit a playful and unpredictable nature, while vampires will demonstrate their manipulative tendencies. Mermaids, on the other hand, will maintain an air of mystery. These contrasting traits will make interacting with the characters intriguing and captivating.

GR: How does forming relationships with these characters impact the gameplay?

Players can enjoy the exciting feature of going on dates with non-playable characters (NPCs), enhancing their gaming experience by introducing a deeper level of interaction and complexity. These dates offer the opportunity to unlock fresh dialogue options and uncover hidden elements of the NPCs' personal narratives.

We are currently exploring different phases within relationships. As players establish stronger connections with specific NPCs, the characters will gradually reveal more about themselves. The extent to which NPCs open up may vary, influenced by factors such as their inclination toward vampires or any feuds their family might have had with the player character's father. Moreover, players have the option to marry these NPCs and even have the choice to turn them into vampires.

GR: Are players able to date anyone they want from the pool of datable characters or are there limitations?

Boas: Players have the freedom to date anyone they desire without any restrictions!

GR: In Moonlight Peaks, players have the opportunity to fully customize their character with a diverse selection of options. To what extent can players customize their character? What aspects of their characters are they able to alter?

Content: How does your character customization options cater to the diverse player base?

Our goal is to offer inclusivity to all individuals, irrespective of their cultural heritage, gender identity, or personal preferences. The foundation of our game revolves around a gender-neutral character, and as the game advances, players will have an extensive selection of options at their disposal. These choices range from facial features, hairstyles, hair colors, eye colors, and skin tones, enabling players to craft characters that truly represent their own unique identity.

Regarding gameplay, as players progress through the game, they will have the opportunity to unlock remarkable vampire abilities. What specific abilities are available for unlocking? And how do these newfound abilities influence and alter the course of gameplay once obtained?

Bolman: Our community has already seen the bat form in most of the material we've shared. We're currently testing out several other abilities which will be based on traditional vampire folklore but with our own magical twist. Some abilities may not align with typical vampire traits and instead have a more magical aspect to them. As you progress through the game, you'll become a versatile vampire with various abilities!

Boas: Although we can't reveal all the abilities just yet, one we can share is the bat form. This form allows players to transform into a bat, providing the ability to travel quickly, access higher areas, and use echolocation in dark caves. Overall, these abilities offer new opportunities for exploration, navigation, and interaction within the game world.

How do spells and potions enhance gameplay in Steam's survival mode?

Spells and potions introduce a magical element to the farming and daily activities in the game. These spells function as useful tools to improve farming efficiency by accelerating crop growth and providing various boosts and effects. Additionally, spells can extend beyond farming and offer advantages like better fishing success or temporary enhancements to the player's abilities. In addition to spells, players can create potions with diverse effects that aid in healing, restoring energy, and serving other beneficial purposes.

GR: What is a feature of Moonlight Peaks you’re looking forward to sharing with your audience? What do you enjoy about that feature?

Boas: Shapeshifting is the most intriguing aspect for me. Unfortunately, I can't disclose more details at the moment, but it will provide novel ways to interact with the environment!

Bolman: It's difficult to narrow down just one thing since there are numerous elements awaiting player engagement. I'm particularly thrilled about the abilities that will enable you to compete against NPCs in Moonlight Peaks. Additionally, the eccentric snake merchant who offers hats for your pets is a source of excitement. Not to mention the mischievous vampster creatures that hop around unpredictably, playfully nibbling at everything. Nonetheless, the greatest anticipation stems from sharing this extraordinary world with players and witnessing their uninhibited exploration.

GR: If you had to pick 3 words to sum up the overall experience of Moonlight Peaks what would they be?

Boas: Magical, Cozy, Adventure!

Bolman: Fun, Relaxing, Surprising!

GR: Is there anything you’d like to share that we haven’t discussed yet?

Bolman: The level of interaction we have received from our community has been remarkable. Since we began sharing information about the game, online users have shown immense enthusiasm for the setting, characters, and different gameplay features we have revealed. We are truly grateful for the attention and are committed to maintaining this engagement as we continue developing Moonlight Peaks. This will not only create a game that deeply connects with players but also nourishes our relationship with the community.

Moonlight Peaks is available to wishlist on Steam.