Beyond the honk: Uncovering the Story Behind the Game

At first blush, House House‘s 2019 hit, Untitled Goose Game, might seem like an unlikely subject for a book-length exploration. The game, which can be described as a stealth game where your job is to cause trouble, achieved viral fame with its simple yet engaging gameplay. Though,its lack of extensive lore or intricate mechanics might lead one to question the depth available for a comprehensive analysis.

Though, the book, a part of Boss Fight Books series, reveals a compelling narrative that extends beyond the game itself. It serves as a lens through which to examine the history and challenges faced by House House and the broader Australian game development community. This community has often struggled for recognition on the global stage, making the success of Untitled Goose Game all the more notable.

A Perfect Storm: The Rise of Australian Indie Games

The author of the Untitled Goose Game book, James O’Connor, explains that his initial motivation stemmed from a desire to spotlight the Australian game development scene.

The initial spark was, more than anything, a want to write about the Australian game development scene.I’d long been a fan of Boss Fight Books, and the more books they released, the more it felt to me like an chance was being missed if they didn’t publish any books about Australian game development — a topic I knew fairly well from my time working as a games journalist down here.

James O’Connor

O’Connor highlights the past context,noting that Australian studios were once primarily known for ports and licensed titles due to their cost-effectiveness. However, the global financial crisis of the late 2000s led to a decline in foreign investment, forcing these studios to close. This resulted in a pool of experienced developers eager to pursue original ideas, a desire that coincided with the rise of the iPhone and the App Store. This shift created a fertile ground for independent game development in Australia.

The cultural Impact of a Mischievous goose

O’Connor emphasizes the timing of Untitled Goose Game‘s release, stating:

I pitched a book on Untitled Goose Game for fairly practical reasons — I wanted to write about the shifts and changes across the local industry from 2010 to 2019, and Untitled Goose Game capped off that decade perfectly with a huge, strange, funny hit, one that had struck a huge cultural nerve. It’s just kind of a perfect object — a singular idea, realised brilliantly, a game that everyone instantly recognized the moment it was announced. I figured that digging down into how a game like this came to be would be fascinating and fun. Luckily, I was right!

James O’Connor

The game’s success can be attributed to its universal appeal and relatable humor. Its simple premise, combined with its charming art style and mischievous gameplay, resonated with a wide audience, leading to its viral popularity.

Interconnectedness: The Australian Game Development Web

O’Connor was surprised by the extent to which the Australian game development community intertwined with the story of Untitled Goose Game‘s creation. He describes the experience as akin to a writer finding characters from their other works appearing unexpectedly in a new story.

I’ve been in and around Australia’s game development community for a long time — as a journalist, and then eventually as a developer myself — but the thing that surprised me most was how many folks from across the local community intersect with the story of Untitled goose game’s development. Working on this book felt a bit like how I imagine Stephen King feels when he writes a story and finds the characters from his other books suddenly walking across the page, accept that most of it is indeed set in Melbourne rather than Maine. Oh, here’s the guy I interviewed for a magazine ten years ago; Ah, I didn’t know the person who used to run this festival was friends with the team; Huh, this story has weird parallels to this other story I heard. That sort of thing.

James O’Connor

This interconnectedness highlights the collaborative and supportive nature of the Australian game development scene, where individuals often wear multiple hats and contribute to various projects.

The Serendipitous Nature of Success

While the book doesn’t focus on dramatic tales of hardship, O’Connor emphasizes the role of serendipity in the game’s development. He notes that the “wild anecdotes” are more about how smoothly things progressed rather than instances of chaos or failure.

I will say that this isn’t necessarily a huge “wild anecdote” book, in that the stories that are really wild in here are more about how well everything went than how poorly. There isn’t a scene where a goose gets loose in the office and causes havoc, or where the publisher comes over for dinner and the four lads at House House have to try and disguise their ruined roast. The wild anecdotes are more along the lines of the perfect person to help them with the next part of the development process just sort of showed up one day.

James O’Connor

One particular anecdote that resonated with O’Connor is the story of how the members of House House solidified themselves as a team. This involved a misunderstanding, a coincidence, and a game of Sportsfriends. O’Connor believes that even slight deviations on that day could have prevented the creation of Untitled Goose Game.

A Final Page Suggestion

When asked about the best page in the book, O’Connor playfully points to page 171.

Page 171.Partly because it’s right near the end, so once someone gets there, they’ve enjoyed the book enough to make it all the way through (hopefully). But that page also does something a little fun that I won’t spoil.

James O’connor

He encourages readers to explore all the pages in between, promising a rewarding journey through the story of Untitled Goose Game and the Australian game development scene.

the Rise of indie Games

Indie games have experienced a significant surge in popularity, driven by the accessibility of digital distribution platforms and the democratization of game development tools. This trend has led to a diverse array of innovative titles that challenge traditional gaming norms.

Innovation and Creativity in Gameplay

Indie developers are at the forefront of experimenting with unique gameplay mechanics and storytelling techniques. Games like “Baba Is You” and “Hollow knight” showcase the creative potential of smaller studios,offering experiences that resonate with a wide audience.

Community Engagement and Crowdfunding

The success of indie games is often bolstered by strong community support and crowdfunding initiatives. Platforms like Kickstarter have enabled developers to secure funding and build dedicated fanbases, exemplified by titles such as “Shovel Knight” and “Star Citizen.”

Impact on the Global Gaming Industry

Indie games are reshaping the gaming industry by introducing fresh ideas and challenging established norms. Their success has influenced major studios to adopt more innovative approaches, leading to a more diverse and dynamic gaming landscape.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite their success, indie developers face challenges such as market saturation and limited resources. Though, the continued growth of digital distribution and community support presents opportunities for sustained innovation and success.

Did You Know?

The Australian game development industry has seen substantial growth,with revenues doubling to $226 million over the past five years. ([mkau.com.au](https://www.mkau.com.au/australian-game-development-industry-doubles-revenue-to-226-million-over-the-past-five-years/?utm_source=openai))

Pro Tip

Supporting indie games not only provides unique gaming experiences but also contributes to the growth and diversity of the gaming industry.

FAQ

What are indie games?

Indie games are video games developed by autonomous creators or small studios without the financial support of major publishers.

How do indie games differ from AAA games?

Indie games often feature innovative gameplay and storytelling, with smaller budgets and teams, allowing for more creative freedom compared to AAA titles.

Can indie games be as prosperous as AAA games?

Yes, many indie games have achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, demonstrating the potential for smaller studios to make a substantial impact.