Unleashing the Ultimate Flight Experience: Dive into Flock's Immersive World with Insider Insights
Game Rant interviews Richard Hogg and Ricky Haggett, developers of the serene and captivating creature collector Flock, diving into the joyous experience of free-spirited flight, emphasis on exploration, and the game's laidback atmosphere
Flock is an upcoming game that combines flight simulation and creature collecting. Its aim is to provide players with a relaxing adventure in a vibrant world, whether they choose to play alone or with friends. During Annapurna Interactive's digital showcase event, Hollow Ponds, the developer, shared a gameplay walkthrough to give viewers an idea of what a typical Flock session would entail. Unlike other games that prioritize utility-focused loadouts and intense action, Flock focuses on self-expression and a laid-back atmosphere by encouraging players to search for and discover unique flying creatures.
Recently, Game Rant interviewed Richard Hogg, the art director, and Ricky Haggett, the creative director at Hollow Ponds. They discussed Flock's relaxed mood and non-combative mechanics, as well as the various tools available to players for navigating the game's map. Fans of cozy, non-combative, and exploration-heavy games will definitely want to keep an eye on this title.
Feel Good Flying in Flock
In capturing creatures, Hogg explained that players utilize a meticulous proximity system that operates similarly to most fishing games, with Haggett comparing the mechanics to a dance. Beyond being the central concept of Flock, the creature collection system is by no means the sole mechanic of the game. Hogg stressed that Hollow Ponds devoted significant effort to achieving the exhilarating sense of freedom during flight.
A significant aspect of Flock revolves around exploration, necessitating Hollow Ponds' focus on developing a gratifying movement system. Within the game, players will come across boost rings, thermal updrafts, and various other tools to expedite their traversal of the game world. Haggett explained that the act of flying itself is designed to feel frictionless, as players' bird mounts effortlessly navigate around obstacles such as tree trunks and inclines.
Exploration Over Expansiveness
While Flock's overworld is vast, it is intentionally designed to be easily traversable. Hollow Ponds wanted to ensure that players in multiplayer mode could quickly and effortlessly respond to each other's actions. However, this doesn't mean that the world is small or easily comprehensible at first glance. Hogg explained that the world offers significant potential for exploration:
"Although it was challenging to achieve, we aimed for the world to feel expansive in the sense that players can constantly discover new things, even after playing for an extended period. However, it's not expansively huge in its size."
Furthermore, Flock features a diverse range of biomes that offer varying area densities. Some parts of the game are densely populated with obstacles and opportunities for exploration, while other areas, such as the grasslands showcased in the gameplay trailer, provide a more open and unrestricted experience. Each of these biomes is inhabited by various flying creatures that players can incorporate into their flocks. Hogg also emphasized the absence of fast travel in Flock, resulting in a smaller scope compared to expansive titles like Red Dead Redemption. This deliberate emphasis on the journey rather than the destination, prioritizing expression over optimization, and focusing on the thrill of discovery instead of the sheer volume of things to discover, reflects Flock's core design philosophy.
Laidback Vibes
Please note that the placeholder
Laidback Vibes
has been maintained in the revised content.
While Flock incorporates a light narrative element with interactive NPCs, its core focus is not on the storyline. Haggett and Hogg aim to create a calming experience that also serves as a platform for friends to enjoy quality time together. The game originated during the COVID-19 lockdown, drawing inspiration from games such as Valheim and user-designed Roblox levels. The game's preview trailer prominently showcases its commitment to providing a user-friendly social experience.
That is not to imply that Flock exclusively revolves around multiplayer interactions or lacks substance when played alone. Hogg humorously expressed concern that the recent trailer may have exaggerated the game's multiplayer focus, despite the fact that players can fully enjoy the Flock experience in single-player mode.
Flock is currently being developed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
