Hello Flippers! 🤗
We're back with another one! This is the second post in the Pets DLC devlog series, the first one can be found here and we're extremely glad about everybody's response. It's heartwarming to see all of you sharing your experiences, ideas and questions in the comments! 🥰
On top of that, you guys voted for this devlog's topic, and that's why today it's all about the new area and environment in Pets DLC. 🗺️
Till now, all we've told you about the new area in Pets DLC is that it's a new region of Pinnacove that's called Puffin Isle. This time we want to give you a bit of a backstory, and explain how Puffin Isle comes to life!
And it all starts with our brave narrative designers! They're the team responsible for creating the very first idea of the area and its story.
How do they find inspiration?
Well! ☝️🤓
There's another interesting part of our process - even before any actual development happens, but once we know the general theme of the DLC, we host a company-wide brainstorm session!
All the team members can express their own ideas and associations there, so once the narrative team starts working, they already have something to chew on! On top of that, they do tons of their own research, and thanks to all that, come up with a lore background for the DLC.
To give you an idea about the story of Puffin Isle:
It started in the early 1900s with the building of a huge bridge which connected Pinnacove with the bigger city of St. Elis. Many of the migrant Italian workers who arrived at that time decided to settle on the isle even after the construction finished. This is an older and more neglected district of the town – but it’s also a part of its charm 😉
The name comes from its most punctual and cutest visitors! The isle sits on a puffin migration route, and every year the birds would stop on the shore to rest before heading north. Unfortunately, due to hunting and climate change, their population gradually declined. Many people wish to see their return, but few take actual action…
Which brings us to Philip Green, a local legend. A lifelong animal lover, he hosted a beloved children's nature show alongside a talking puffin puppet. His program was inspired by a true story from his childhood and a very peculiar family friend…
And now his daughter Nora is back in town to take care of homeless animals and engage in a difficult battle against local authorities. The stakes? The future of the whole region – can it keep its unique character without falling into ruin?
Now with all that in mind, the spotlight shifts to our artists. First there's some 2D work to be done - we need concept art to better understand the general vibe of the place and try to get on the same page regarding its visual side.
We really loved how these turned out! 😍
Ah! It's all getting clearer! 🔎
Now with all this visual information, we can start shaping some very first 3D designs of the actual in-game environments. Before any of the pretty stuff happens, we build a blockout - a scene made entirely of plain, simple shapes. Everything's in the right place: the streets, the staircases, the rooflines, the arches.
But it's all placeholder, and those flat colors are just there so we can tell the shutters from the walls at a glance.
Working this way lets us settle the big decisions first. How the town reads from a distance, how the buildings stack up the hillside, what you see when you look down the street. Once that's right, the art team can start layering in the real thing - stone, plaster, roof tiles, all the little details that make it feel lived in! 🏘️
One thing we probably haven't mentioned before: Pets DLC brings two separate in-game environments! Both are part of the same region, and each comes with 3 plot positions to choose from.
Let’s start with the neighborhood set down by the very first residents of Pinnacove 100 years ago. You've already seen it in old photos at the fishing museum & Grandma Maggie's house.
The colorful facades, terracotta roofs and tiny squished homes are all inspired by the Italian fishing villages the first immigrants came from. Who doesn't long for a bit of home in a far away place?
And then check out the other one - out on the cliffs, with a view you and your cute companions can enjoy:
Last but not least, the team has to make sure everything surrounding those detailed spaces holds up too - that it represents the region properly and connects naturally to the rest of House Flipper 2.
As you may notice, from this spot you can even see the Crayfish Coast beach area that you probably already know! 🏖️
And that's how it all comes together! Keep in mind that everything we've discussed here is still subject to change!
Hope you're excited to visit Puffin Isle, we can't wait to show you more about Pets DLC, and this brings us to another vote!
Same as last time, vote for the topic you'd like to read about in the next devlog:
💭 The behavioral system for pets
OR
📦 New items in Pets DLC
Post your pick in the comments below, thank you so much for your support, and see you next time! 💙💙