the world that grows around you

SHAPE OF THE WORLD PRESS KIT

Factsheet

Developer: Hollow Tree Games Inc.
Release Date: 2017
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One
Website: www.shapeoftheworldgame.com
Twitter: @shapeoftheworld
Price: $20 CAD (Approx $16 USD)

Description

Shape of the World is an ephemeral first-person exploration game where the world grows around you in a procedurally populated environment. Exploration is about intentionally getting lost and the joy of being found again. Your presence is the driving force behind the evolving environment as you establish permanent monuments to mark your way. Without your presence, will the forest still come alive?

Shape of the World builds on the ideas of experiential games like Proteus and Flower where points and combat don’t enter the equation. An evolving world that grows with each step and hints at distant landmarks encourages the player to explore. Shape of the World offers a unique unfolding experience for those seeking an alternative to quest-driven adventure games.

History

Development began in early 2014 by lead developer Stu Maxwell, a VFX artist for AAA games. He was soon joined by Athomas Goldberg, a 20-year veteran of the computer graphics industry, who specializes in procedural animation technology and Brent Silk, who is composing the game's music and sound effects. In 2015, Stu created Hollow Tree Games Inc. as the game's core team continues to grow.

Features/Game Design

Developed in Unreal Engine 4
Procedural dynamic effects
Custom responsive soundtrack

OFFICIAL TRAILER

SEE VIDEOS PAGE FOR MORE TRAILERS & GAMEPLAY

IN-GAME Screenshots

PRESS & Recognition

IndieCade 2016, Official Selection: Digital Selects, Los Angeles, October 2016

Winner of Epic Games Unreal Dev Grant, March 2016

Bit Bash: Alternative Games Festival, Official Selection, Chicago, August 2015

IndieCade E3 2015, Official Selection, Los Angeles, June 2015

Steam Greenlight, Achieved May 2015

IndieCade East 2015 - Museum of the Moving Image - Official Selection, New York, February 2015

Featured on Unreal Engine 4 Twitch Broadcast Community Spotlight: Feb 20, 2015

CREDITS

Stuart Maxwell, Lead Developer
Athomas Goldberg, Creatures
Brenk Silk, Sound and Music
Ira Zhang, 3D Modelling - Environment
Sasha Katcher, 3D Modeling - Creatures
Stephen Tucker, 3D Modeling - Seeds
Heather Maxwell, Producer

Selected Articles

2016

“Reving the Engine: Shape of the World" - Stu Horvath, Unwinnable, Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2016

“Shaping the World" - Max Maybee, F orerunner , North America #1 Issue (Images Copyright Charles S, Forerunner)

2015 FALL

“New Shape of the World GIFs Show Off Strange Creatures and Falling Monuments" - Chloi Rad, Kill Screen

2015 SUMMER

“Shape of the World Wants Players to Take the Road Less Traveled" - Ethan Gach, Kill Screen

“Shape of the World is an Exploration Game That Grows Around You” - Phil Savage, PC Gamer

“Shape of the World Brings Its Players Along The Way" - Oliver Klatt, Wired Germany

“Navigating a Dreamscape Wilderness in Shape of the World" - Annie-Narae Lee, Indie Juice

“Shape of the World, A Game You Should Know About ” - Curtis DIllon GameSkinny

“Shape of the World's Beautiful Environments Change As You Explore - Lena LeRay, Indie Games: The Weblog

“The Procedural Beauty of Shape of the World" - Callum Rakestraw, Entertainium

“Shape of the World Preview: A Walk in the Park" - Jill Randolph, XBLA Fans

“Shape of the World' is an Engrossing Procedurally-Generated Exploration Game" - Cedric Lansangan, Only SP

“Shape of the World Will Get You Lost in a Natural World That Grows Around You" - Chris Priestman, Siliconera

“Finding a Prettier Proteus in Shape of the World" - Danielle Riendeau and Charlie Hall, Polygon

“Gorgeous Walking Sim Shape of the World Hits Kickstarter" - Alice O'Connor, Rock, Paper, Shotgun

“Explore Beautifully Curious Landscapes in Shape of the World" - Marcus Estrada, Cliqist

2015 SPRING

“Shape of the World - Explore a Beautiful Mezmerizing World That Grows Around You” - James Billcliffe, Only SP

“Shape of the World, The Game that Grows Around You” - Alberto Motta, Wired Italy

“5 Trendsetting Video Games from IndieCade East ” - Allison Meier, H yper Allergic

“Shape of the World creates through exploration.” - Stephen Heller, Pixels for Breakfast

“Shape of the World has the prettiest purple trees.” - Destructoid

“Shape Of The World’s Creator Wants You to Get Lost in Ephemeral Beauty ” - Chris Priestman Smith, Kill Screen Daily

“Shape Of The World Will Grow On You/Around You” - Graham Smith, Rock, Paper, Shotgun

“Watch the World Take Form in the Shape of the World” - Zack Keosaian, Indie Game Mag

“Recently announced art game is an exploratory world that generates itself as you wander around it” - Prosthetic Knowledge

2014

Edge Magazine, Nov 2014 (Issue # 272) (Print Edition Only)

“Imagine the world grew around you. It might look like this.” - Trevor Melanson, BC Business Online

“Shape of the World is a Growing Exploration Game” - Graham Smith, Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Edge Magazine, Nov 2014 (Issue # 272)

PODCASTS

Big Sushi FM with John Lindvay, Episode 197 "Stu Maxwell", June 2015

Cobra TV, Developer Interview, June 2015

Perhaps It's the Color Podcast by Joshua Dennison, Episode 22 "Low Poly" Interview with Stu Maxwell & Tom Kail of Biome, September 2014