Fascinating Insights: Unveiling Real World Influences and Art Evolution at Flock Devs

Annapurna Interactive, known for publishing popular indie games like Stray and Neon White, recently unveiled a gameplay trailer for Flock during their digital showcase event. Developed by Hollow Ponds, Flock combines creature collection with a whimsical bird-flying simulation, allowing players to gather a group of adorable flying companions. This soothing indie game can be enjoyed alone or with friends and is currently being developed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Game Rant interviewed Hollow Ponds' creative director Ricky Haggett and Flock's art director Richard Hogg, exploring the game's various inspirations and the challenges faced in creating its unique aesthetic. Fans of flight games and cute creature collectors should keep a lookout for Hollow Ponds' upcoming release date for Flock.

Real World Inspirations of Flock

During the period of lockdown, Flock was initially conceptualized, with Hogg and Haggett drawing inspiration from socially-oriented games such as Roblox and Valheim for Flock's multiplayer aspect. However, Haggett emphasized the importance of real-world experiences as a fundamental influence, while Hogg mentioned his personal involvement in bird watching as a contributing factor.

As a teenager, I had a strong passion for birdwatching. Although my interest fluctuates as I grow older, I am currently engrossed in creating a list of all the birds I have spotted this year. This activity adds an intriguing aspect to the development of the game I am working on.

The creators, Hogg and Haggett, aim to evoke a sense of joy in players through their game, Flock. They have incorporated the exhilaration of recognizing a rare bird or discovering an entirely new species into the fundamental design of the game. The game's environments are meticulously crafted to hold hidden surprises, which players will continue to uncover even after becoming familiar with the game's expansive world. While the game allows for quick traversal, there are pockets of intricate details that entice players to get lost.

Fanciful But Familiar in Flock

While Flock primarily features aerial creatures, a significant number of the flying companions that players can tame bear close resemblance to land or sea animals. Hogg's creature design revolves around an amusing twist on familiarity, where creatures appear recognizable but with a slight deviation:

"In the game, there is a creature that resembles a radish, yet it moves like a tadpole. I find it enjoyable to explore such creative ideas, and I hope players also derive amusement and find them relatable. If all the creatures were completely bizarre and alien, they might lose their relatability."

Finding the extraordinary and extraordinary in a well-known and stress-free setting appears to be at the core of Flock's desired experience. This ideology is also applied to the winged companions that players can obtain, as they embody the familiar but with delightful twists. Discovering delight in the familiar is a fundamental element of enjoying a comfortable and cozy gaming experience. In fact, the mere presence of familiarity and daily routines can be more essential for comfort than the thematic content or absence of combat.

Unreal Aspirations

Flock serves as a modern equivalent to Hollow Ponds' previous title, Hohokum, in terms of its overall vibe rather than its mechanics. However, transitioning from 2D artwork and environments to the immersive world of three dimensions presented a significant challenge for Hogg. At the beginning of the lockdown, Hogg had limited experience with modeling and Unreal Engine. Like many indie games, Flock demanded a whole new skill set from its creators. Hogg emphasized the close collaboration with Hollow Ponds' technical artist, striving to accomplish the desired visual style.

Haggett remembered how Hogg dedicated a lot of time to meticulously hand painting the depiction of sunlight filtering through the trees. This captivating image not only portrays a setting but also evokes a particular mood. Despite the difficulties Hogg faced during the learning process, both directors expressed their satisfaction with the current artistic style and agreed that the gameplay trailer for the showcase was truly gratifying to watch.

Flock is currently being developed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.