Interview with PAX RISING Ecliptic’s Narrative Designer - Sophie Tan
By Drawza
Drawza: Firstly, please introduce yourself and your game?
Sophie: Hi! My name is Sophie Tan, one of the many people involved with Made With Cookies. I’m the Narrative Designer behind Ecliptic! Ecliptic is a puzzle adventure game where you play as a newly minted constellation that has become manifested into a world they don’t understand. They encounter other personified heroes of myth on their journey to discover who they are and what they represent.
What is your background?
It’s hard to talk about my background without talking about my teams. Simply put, we were a team of 7 forged through the fire that is… University. I wish I had a grander story to tell, but we were all Game Design students, trying to get through coffee filled nights and deadlines together. It was a lightning in a bottle moment for all of us. When we graduated, we decided that we wanted to keep making games with each other!
What made you decide to journey down the path of game development?
I love sharing my passions with others. My family has always been so crucial for me in my development as a person and the kind of interests I have. I always loved stories and expressing them in any medium I could get my grubby hands on. I found that collaborative storytelling was something I enjoyed the most out of all of the artforms I dabbled with. Game development is such a multimedia discipline where everyone you meet has different skill sets and strengths and methodology… It was a no-brainer to me that I wanted to be in this field.
What previous games have you created/worked on?
We’ve all worked on little projects here and there, but this is the first key title that we’re all working on. First of many, hopefully!
What are the core concepts?
The core concept behind Ecliptic is Identity. I think when people generally think of the western horoscope, they think of the personalities ascribed to each one. Like if you’re this star sign you are going to be this way, if you’re this one, you're that way. Here’s what your rising sign means, etc etc. We’re often quick to dismiss this as silly pseudoscience, but I feel like there’s something there about what draws people to gravitate toward wanting to identify with certain labels and traits. Who are you? Why are you perceived the way you are?
What were your inspirations?
The biggest inspiration to the narrative decisions behind Ecliptic and characterization is Percy Jackson! I have such a deep love for Greek mythology, and I wanted to figure out how to tell it in a way that felt interactive. We’ve also taken inspiration from RPG and puzzle games like Breath of the Wild and Professor Layton, to name a few.
How long have you been working on this game?
It’s been a year now! We’re aiming for it to come out sometime in 2025.
What is it like to have the game showcased at events such as PAX Aus?
It’s crazy! It’s the stuff of dreams. I almost have a case of imposter syndrome. I always thought that having a game showcasing was so…adult, for lack of a better word. Our team is so young, so it feels great to have that foot in the door with this event, you know?
What advice have you got for upcoming game developers?
Go for it! It’s been a tumultuous time in the games industry, and it feels like many doors are slamming shut. I don’t feel particularly qualified to be giving advice, but if I have anything to say it's that there are so many concepts and prototypes floating around that are just waiting to be made. If the door will not budge for you, it’s time to break out the tools and make one yourself. There’s no harm in trying. It’d be even better to find a group of trusted peers to work alongside with.
What advice have you received that you have held onto throughout your journey?
The best advice I have ever received is to lean. Lean not just on your strengths, and lean on others. Why do everything on your own? I certainly couldn’t be making this game myself, and everyone brings their own skills and weaknesses to the table. Sorting them out and figuring out how to mesh them together not only creates a strong team, but solid lifelong friends.
…Also, documentation is your best friend. Haha. PLEASE RECORD EVERYTHING YOU DO.
Have you had any mentors in the gaming industry?
Definitely! We were all students in RMIT, and the lecturers there were instrumental to how we learnt to work together. I was particularly inspired by Christian McCrea and Cherie Davidson, our mentors for this project when it was just a school project. If it weren’t for their encouraging words and belief in us, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.
How many PAX Aus events have you attended (as both a developer and as a regular attendee)?
This will be my first one ever! I’m massively excited and looking forward to it! New experiences are always great.
Check Out the Steam Page for Ecliptic
Be sure to check out Ecliptic and other PAX RISING games
And make sure you check out PAX Aus 2024 in October.
