Ratatosk

Game Description

Take a ride through a magical forest full of wonder and hidden treasures! Embody the flying squirrel, Ratatosk from the Nordic mythology and glide through a mysterious world, with the wind rushing through your fur as you hunt for tasty treats.  But watch out, little friend - it´s a treacherous path! Trees and enemies are blocking your progress, so stay sharp and be ready to dash! Can you gather enough goodies to satisfy your hunger and make it through the night?

The game is designed for players of all skill levels, with accessible modes for inclusive play and a hardcore mode for thrill-seekers. A blend of strong visuals, immersive audio, and a playful nod to Nordic mythology ensures a truly magical experience. Whether you´re enjoying the exhilarating power-ups or navigating the luminous forest, Ratatosk promises endless fun! Are you ready to dash into this adventure?

Summary of the Process  

The inspiration for our game emerged during a visit to the "Forest" exhibition at Tekniska Museet. Immersed in the mysterious atmosphere of the forest and reflecting on it´s many possibilities,. we sought to create a game that would be visually stunning, accessible, and fun for our target audience of 10-12-year-olds. Drawing from Nordic mythology, we chose Ratatosk, the mythical squirrel from Yggdrasil, as our protagonist. blending fantasy with natural elements to evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.

The journey began with collaborative brainstorming, where ideas were organized into themes and refined into game concepts. "Traversal" was chosen as the central theme, setting the foundation for the game pillars: Accessibility, Empowerment, and Fun. Using the concept of movement along a spline, the mechanics were designed for simplicity and engagement: player dash left or right to navigate obstacles, collect nuts, and power-ups with invulnerability and bursts of speed. To ensure a rewarding experience, the game´s progression emphasizes learning patterns ans skill development.

Playtesting played a crucial role in shaping the game. Early feedback highlighted the need for accessible mechanics and better power-up functionality. For instance, the speed power-up was redesigned to lift the player above the treetops for easier nut collection. Modes such as accessibility and hardcore were added to expand inclusivity and cater to varied playstyles.

The target audience inspired the narrative, environment, and gameplay, decisions. The forest theme was reinforced through the Nordic mythology and an ambient soundtrack mixing forest-sounds with wind and a mystic humming.

Collaboration was at the heart of the process. Daily scrums, and transparent communication helped the team stay aligned. Obstacles, such as mismatched expectations and time constrains, were overcome by prioritizing clear goals, cutting scope when necessary, and fostering an inclusive environment.

The project has taught us the value of fast adaptability and communication in game development. It´s a journey of discovery - both for Ratatosk as he glides through his magical world and for our team, as we navigate the challenges of creative collaboration.

Designers: 

Simon Finér  

Isabelle Höljer Heiskanen  

Martti Kandelin

 Cecilia Wretemark-Hauck

Programers:

Yasmin Adas  

Christopher Jimerson  

Santiago Valera Rocha 

Samuel Antonsson    Animators/VFX:

Saga von Pfaler  

Mandve Singha Roy 

Mirjana Mrdjen     Artists:

Ella Olsson

Judith Gammelli

Oky Palm 

 

Music/Ambient/SFX produced by: 

HumbleBundle: Phat Phrong Studios  

GameDevMarket: DeerLover 

Jasmin & Cecilia Wretemark-Hauck