Backstory Studio
@backstory-studio.bsky.social
Your Game, your Story. 🇫🇷 | 🇬🇧
Rethinking MAKING OF for video game studios
Newsletter ✉️ / Podcast 🎙️ / Video 🎥 / Artbook 🖼️
https://www.backstory-studio.com
Rethinking MAKING OF for video game studios
Newsletter ✉️ / Podcast 🎙️ / Video 🎥 / Artbook 🖼️
https://www.backstory-studio.com
Cet artbook symbolise parfaitement la mission de Backstory Studio : accompagner les studios, les artistes et les développeurs dans le récit de leurs aventures créatives, tout en préservant leur savoir-faire au sein de beaux objets. 5/6
June 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Cet artbook symbolise parfaitement la mission de Backstory Studio : accompagner les studios, les artistes et les développeurs dans le récit de leurs aventures créatives, tout en préservant leur savoir-faire au sein de beaux objets. 5/6
L'intégralité de la conception et de la maquette du livre a été gérée par notre équipe chez Backstory Studio. Rachel Dufossé a joué un rôle clé dans l'organisation des entretiens et la relecture attentive des textes pour offrir le meilleur résultat possible. 4/6
June 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
L'intégralité de la conception et de la maquette du livre a été gérée par notre équipe chez Backstory Studio. Rachel Dufossé a joué un rôle clé dans l'organisation des entretiens et la relecture attentive des textes pour offrir le meilleur résultat possible. 4/6
Nous avons accordé une attention particulière à la remarquable direction artistique menée par Gobert. Chaque page témoigne de son approche unique, enrichie par des illustrations, des croquis et des réflexions inédites sur la création du jeu. 3/6
June 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Nous avons accordé une attention particulière à la remarquable direction artistique menée par Gobert. Chaque page témoigne de son approche unique, enrichie par des illustrations, des croquis et des réflexions inédites sur la création du jeu. 3/6
Pendant plusieurs semaines, nous avons réalisé plus de 20h d'entretiens approfondis avec chaque membre du studio. Notre objectif : capturer leur vision, leur passion et toutes les facettes de la production de Crown Gambit pour en faire un véritable making of. 2/6
June 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Pendant plusieurs semaines, nous avons réalisé plus de 20h d'entretiens approfondis avec chaque membre du studio. Notre objectif : capturer leur vision, leur passion et toutes les facettes de la production de Crown Gambit pour en faire un véritable making of. 2/6
Nous sommes fiers d'annoncer la sortie d'un artbook digital de 240 pages dédié au jeu Crown Gambit ! Ce beau projet est né d'une étroite collaboration entre notre agence Backstory Studio, le studio @wildwits.games et l'éditeur @playdigious.bsky.social. 1/6
June 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Nous sommes fiers d'annoncer la sortie d'un artbook digital de 240 pages dédié au jeu Crown Gambit ! Ce beau projet est né d'une étroite collaboration entre notre agence Backstory Studio, le studio @wildwits.games et l'éditeur @playdigious.bsky.social. 1/6
5/ A Game That Rewards Curiosity.
From organic sound design to intricate level architecture, every element of Animal Well was crafted to feel alive.
> Secrets within secrets—even developers struggled to uncover them.
> No hand-holding, just pure, exploratory discovery.
From organic sound design to intricate level architecture, every element of Animal Well was crafted to feel alive.
> Secrets within secrets—even developers struggled to uncover them.
> No hand-holding, just pure, exploratory discovery.
March 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
5/ A Game That Rewards Curiosity.
From organic sound design to intricate level architecture, every element of Animal Well was crafted to feel alive.
> Secrets within secrets—even developers struggled to uncover them.
> No hand-holding, just pure, exploratory discovery.
From organic sound design to intricate level architecture, every element of Animal Well was crafted to feel alive.
> Secrets within secrets—even developers struggled to uncover them.
> No hand-holding, just pure, exploratory discovery.
4/ Publishing & the Dunkey Effect.
Billy dreaded marketing—his idea of promotion was posting on Screenshot Saturday. But after a chance encounter with Bigmode, things changed.
> Animal Well became Bigmode’s first published title.
> A single 5-second mention from Dunkey caused a spike in wishlists.
Billy dreaded marketing—his idea of promotion was posting on Screenshot Saturday. But after a chance encounter with Bigmode, things changed.
> Animal Well became Bigmode’s first published title.
> A single 5-second mention from Dunkey caused a spike in wishlists.
March 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
4/ Publishing & the Dunkey Effect.
Billy dreaded marketing—his idea of promotion was posting on Screenshot Saturday. But after a chance encounter with Bigmode, things changed.
> Animal Well became Bigmode’s first published title.
> A single 5-second mention from Dunkey caused a spike in wishlists.
Billy dreaded marketing—his idea of promotion was posting on Screenshot Saturday. But after a chance encounter with Bigmode, things changed.
> Animal Well became Bigmode’s first published title.
> A single 5-second mention from Dunkey caused a spike in wishlists.
2/ A Game Built on Secrets.
From the start, creator Billy Basso was obsessed with the idea of a game that felt mysterious, handcrafted, and timeless.
> Inspired by the warp whistles of Mario 3 and hidden mysteries in 80s/90s games.
> No updates, no DLC—"whatever is in it, is in it."
From the start, creator Billy Basso was obsessed with the idea of a game that felt mysterious, handcrafted, and timeless.
> Inspired by the warp whistles of Mario 3 and hidden mysteries in 80s/90s games.
> No updates, no DLC—"whatever is in it, is in it."
March 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
2/ A Game Built on Secrets.
From the start, creator Billy Basso was obsessed with the idea of a game that felt mysterious, handcrafted, and timeless.
> Inspired by the warp whistles of Mario 3 and hidden mysteries in 80s/90s games.
> No updates, no DLC—"whatever is in it, is in it."
From the start, creator Billy Basso was obsessed with the idea of a game that felt mysterious, handcrafted, and timeless.
> Inspired by the warp whistles of Mario 3 and hidden mysteries in 80s/90s games.
> No updates, no DLC—"whatever is in it, is in it."
👁️ Indie Spotlight | Knights in Tight Spaces
What if Into the Breach met John Wick … but with knights?
Knights in Tight Spaces is a deck-building tactics game where medieval warriors battle in confined arenas, using strategic positioning and swordplay to outmaneuver their enemies.
What if Into the Breach met John Wick … but with knights?
Knights in Tight Spaces is a deck-building tactics game where medieval warriors battle in confined arenas, using strategic positioning and swordplay to outmaneuver their enemies.
March 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
👁️ Indie Spotlight | Knights in Tight Spaces
What if Into the Breach met John Wick … but with knights?
Knights in Tight Spaces is a deck-building tactics game where medieval warriors battle in confined arenas, using strategic positioning and swordplay to outmaneuver their enemies.
What if Into the Breach met John Wick … but with knights?
Knights in Tight Spaces is a deck-building tactics game where medieval warriors battle in confined arenas, using strategic positioning and swordplay to outmaneuver their enemies.
4/ Fantasy, but make it fashion.
🔹 Junah’s look was influenced by Twiggy’s iconic 60s style.
🔹 Hulkenberg’s red hair & makeup take cues from Vidal Sassoon models.
🔹 Each tribe in the world was designed around personality & politics, rather than just geography.
🔹 Junah’s look was influenced by Twiggy’s iconic 60s style.
🔹 Hulkenberg’s red hair & makeup take cues from Vidal Sassoon models.
🔹 Each tribe in the world was designed around personality & politics, rather than just geography.
February 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
4/ Fantasy, but make it fashion.
🔹 Junah’s look was influenced by Twiggy’s iconic 60s style.
🔹 Hulkenberg’s red hair & makeup take cues from Vidal Sassoon models.
🔹 Each tribe in the world was designed around personality & politics, rather than just geography.
🔹 Junah’s look was influenced by Twiggy’s iconic 60s style.
🔹 Hulkenberg’s red hair & makeup take cues from Vidal Sassoon models.
🔹 Each tribe in the world was designed around personality & politics, rather than just geography.
2/ From Modern Tokyo to a Mythical Realm.
"We asked ourselves why we love fantasy. Everyone had a different answer."
Rather than looking at recent trends, they explored the origins of the genre—from Wizardry and Final Fantasy to Narnia and D&D. This deep dive shaped the game’s foundation.
"We asked ourselves why we love fantasy. Everyone had a different answer."
Rather than looking at recent trends, they explored the origins of the genre—from Wizardry and Final Fantasy to Narnia and D&D. This deep dive shaped the game’s foundation.
February 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
2/ From Modern Tokyo to a Mythical Realm.
"We asked ourselves why we love fantasy. Everyone had a different answer."
Rather than looking at recent trends, they explored the origins of the genre—from Wizardry and Final Fantasy to Narnia and D&D. This deep dive shaped the game’s foundation.
"We asked ourselves why we love fantasy. Everyone had a different answer."
Rather than looking at recent trends, they explored the origins of the genre—from Wizardry and Final Fantasy to Narnia and D&D. This deep dive shaped the game’s foundation.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Metaphor: ReFantazio
The creators of Persona step into uncharted territory with Metaphor: ReFantazio—their first full-fledged fantasy RPG. A mix of classic fantasy, psychological depth, and storytelling, the making of was a challenge unlike any other for Archipel. 🧵👇
The creators of Persona step into uncharted territory with Metaphor: ReFantazio—their first full-fledged fantasy RPG. A mix of classic fantasy, psychological depth, and storytelling, the making of was a challenge unlike any other for Archipel. 🧵👇
February 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Metaphor: ReFantazio
The creators of Persona step into uncharted territory with Metaphor: ReFantazio—their first full-fledged fantasy RPG. A mix of classic fantasy, psychological depth, and storytelling, the making of was a challenge unlike any other for Archipel. 🧵👇
The creators of Persona step into uncharted territory with Metaphor: ReFantazio—their first full-fledged fantasy RPG. A mix of classic fantasy, psychological depth, and storytelling, the making of was a challenge unlike any other for Archipel. 🧵👇
👁️ Indie Spotlight | Keep Driving 🚗
A Road Without an End, a Story Without a Map
Some games are about reaching a destination. Others are about the journey itself.
@ycjygames.bsky.social is a narrative road trip game where the road never ends, and every stop brings a new story. 1/3
A Road Without an End, a Story Without a Map
Some games are about reaching a destination. Others are about the journey itself.
@ycjygames.bsky.social is a narrative road trip game where the road never ends, and every stop brings a new story. 1/3
February 24, 2025 at 7:30 AM
👁️ Indie Spotlight | Keep Driving 🚗
A Road Without an End, a Story Without a Map
Some games are about reaching a destination. Others are about the journey itself.
@ycjygames.bsky.social is a narrative road trip game where the road never ends, and every stop brings a new story. 1/3
A Road Without an End, a Story Without a Map
Some games are about reaching a destination. Others are about the journey itself.
@ycjygames.bsky.social is a narrative road trip game where the road never ends, and every stop brings a new story. 1/3
5/ 🤝 Co-op multiplayer: A first for the series
Unlike Drifter’s lone journey, Breaker lets you team up with friends to tackle its unpredictable world.
Roguelite elements keep each session fresh, and persistent upgrades give long-term progression beyond each run.
Unlike Drifter’s lone journey, Breaker lets you team up with friends to tackle its unpredictable world.
Roguelite elements keep each session fresh, and persistent upgrades give long-term progression beyond each run.
February 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
5/ 🤝 Co-op multiplayer: A first for the series
Unlike Drifter’s lone journey, Breaker lets you team up with friends to tackle its unpredictable world.
Roguelite elements keep each session fresh, and persistent upgrades give long-term progression beyond each run.
Unlike Drifter’s lone journey, Breaker lets you team up with friends to tackle its unpredictable world.
Roguelite elements keep each session fresh, and persistent upgrades give long-term progression beyond each run.
4/ 🏛️ Exploring The Overgrowth
A mysterious new land, but deeply connected to the Hyper Light universe.
Each biome is procedurally generated, filled with ancient ruins, forgotten technology, and lurking threats. 🌿🏙️
But you won’t have to explore alone…
A mysterious new land, but deeply connected to the Hyper Light universe.
Each biome is procedurally generated, filled with ancient ruins, forgotten technology, and lurking threats. 🌿🏙️
But you won’t have to explore alone…
February 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
4/ 🏛️ Exploring The Overgrowth
A mysterious new land, but deeply connected to the Hyper Light universe.
Each biome is procedurally generated, filled with ancient ruins, forgotten technology, and lurking threats. 🌿🏙️
But you won’t have to explore alone…
A mysterious new land, but deeply connected to the Hyper Light universe.
Each biome is procedurally generated, filled with ancient ruins, forgotten technology, and lurking threats. 🌿🏙️
But you won’t have to explore alone…
3/ ⚔️ Fast-paced, high-mobility combat
If Drifter was a ballet of dashes and precise strikes, Breaker is an explosive, acrobatic playground.
🔹 Melee & ranged combat mix seamlessly.
🔹 Wall-running, air-dashing, hoverboarding across the world.
🔹 Procedural worlds = no two runs are the same.
If Drifter was a ballet of dashes and precise strikes, Breaker is an explosive, acrobatic playground.
🔹 Melee & ranged combat mix seamlessly.
🔹 Wall-running, air-dashing, hoverboarding across the world.
🔹 Procedural worlds = no two runs are the same.
February 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
3/ ⚔️ Fast-paced, high-mobility combat
If Drifter was a ballet of dashes and precise strikes, Breaker is an explosive, acrobatic playground.
🔹 Melee & ranged combat mix seamlessly.
🔹 Wall-running, air-dashing, hoverboarding across the world.
🔹 Procedural worlds = no two runs are the same.
If Drifter was a ballet of dashes and precise strikes, Breaker is an explosive, acrobatic playground.
🔹 Melee & ranged combat mix seamlessly.
🔹 Wall-running, air-dashing, hoverboarding across the world.
🔹 Procedural worlds = no two runs are the same.
1/ Hyper Light Breaker, from @heartmachine.bsky.social, expands the neon-drenched, glitchy universe of Hyper Light Drifter into a fully 3D, open-world roguelite adventure.
A bold shift from its 2D pixel-art roots, but still keeping the vibrant aesthetic, cryptic world-building Let’s dive in. 🧵👇
A bold shift from its 2D pixel-art roots, but still keeping the vibrant aesthetic, cryptic world-building Let’s dive in. 🧵👇
February 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
1/ Hyper Light Breaker, from @heartmachine.bsky.social, expands the neon-drenched, glitchy universe of Hyper Light Drifter into a fully 3D, open-world roguelite adventure.
A bold shift from its 2D pixel-art roots, but still keeping the vibrant aesthetic, cryptic world-building Let’s dive in. 🧵👇
A bold shift from its 2D pixel-art roots, but still keeping the vibrant aesthetic, cryptic world-building Let’s dive in. 🧵👇
3/ A handcrafted, stop-motion-inspired world.
Every character, creature, and structure in South of Midnight has a handmade aesthetic, inspired by stop-motion animation.
"We studied real stop-motion maquettes to create a tactile, imperfect style." — Dev Team
Every character, creature, and structure in South of Midnight has a handmade aesthetic, inspired by stop-motion animation.
"We studied real stop-motion maquettes to create a tactile, imperfect style." — Dev Team
February 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
3/ A handcrafted, stop-motion-inspired world.
Every character, creature, and structure in South of Midnight has a handmade aesthetic, inspired by stop-motion animation.
"We studied real stop-motion maquettes to create a tactile, imperfect style." — Dev Team
Every character, creature, and structure in South of Midnight has a handmade aesthetic, inspired by stop-motion animation.
"We studied real stop-motion maquettes to create a tactile, imperfect style." — Dev Team
2/ A world shaped by real places & forgotten myths.
The team traveled across the South — from Louisiana’s swamps to New Orleans — to capture its essence.
"The landscapes are almost characters themselves." — Whitney Clayton
They also worked with folklorists to ensure authentic storytelling.
The team traveled across the South — from Louisiana’s swamps to New Orleans — to capture its essence.
"The landscapes are almost characters themselves." — Whitney Clayton
They also worked with folklorists to ensure authentic storytelling.
February 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
2/ A world shaped by real places & forgotten myths.
The team traveled across the South — from Louisiana’s swamps to New Orleans — to capture its essence.
"The landscapes are almost characters themselves." — Whitney Clayton
They also worked with folklorists to ensure authentic storytelling.
The team traveled across the South — from Louisiana’s swamps to New Orleans — to capture its essence.
"The landscapes are almost characters themselves." — Whitney Clayton
They also worked with folklorists to ensure authentic storytelling.
🎷 Cat Detective: Albert Wilde is a black-and-white narrative game inspired by film noir, featuring sharp dialogue, a smoky atmosphere, and an immersive jazz soundtrack. Its grainy aesthetic and stylized low-poly visuals echo classic noir films while maintaining a distinct (🖤) personality.
February 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
🎷 Cat Detective: Albert Wilde is a black-and-white narrative game inspired by film noir, featuring sharp dialogue, a smoky atmosphere, and an immersive jazz soundtrack. Its grainy aesthetic and stylized low-poly visuals echo classic noir films while maintaining a distinct (🖤) personality.
👁️ Indie Spotlight - Cat Detective Albert Wilde
🕵️♂️ A cat detective, jazz, and a mystery-filled investigation? Yes, it exists.
If Humphrey Bogart and Garfield had a spiritual successor, it would probably be this game — a weary feline detective in a world where humans never existed.
🕵️♂️ A cat detective, jazz, and a mystery-filled investigation? Yes, it exists.
If Humphrey Bogart and Garfield had a spiritual successor, it would probably be this game — a weary feline detective in a world where humans never existed.
February 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
👁️ Indie Spotlight - Cat Detective Albert Wilde
🕵️♂️ A cat detective, jazz, and a mystery-filled investigation? Yes, it exists.
If Humphrey Bogart and Garfield had a spiritual successor, it would probably be this game — a weary feline detective in a world where humans never existed.
🕵️♂️ A cat detective, jazz, and a mystery-filled investigation? Yes, it exists.
If Humphrey Bogart and Garfield had a spiritual successor, it would probably be this game — a weary feline detective in a world where humans never existed.
🎮 We’re Backstory Studio, and we help game developers, studios, artists, and publishers tell the stories behind their games. We work with you to document and celebrate your creative journey. 1/6
November 24, 2024 at 7:34 PM
🎮 We’re Backstory Studio, and we help game developers, studios, artists, and publishers tell the stories behind their games. We work with you to document and celebrate your creative journey. 1/6