Earlier this month, Double High-quality launched PsychOdyssey, a 32-episode, 22-hour documentary collection on the making of Psychonauts 2. Now that the world has truly had time to observe most of it, recreation devs are lauding the collection as the best possible perception you will get into how onerous making video games truly is.
Double High-quality began chronicling its manufacturing course of again in 2012 when the sport that may ultimately be often called Damaged Age hit Kickstarter. The studio labored with 2 Participant Productions to provide a prolonged episodic documentary chronicling the making of that recreation, and a couple of Participant primarily turned Double High-quality’s in-house documentarian group.
Now, Double High-quality and a couple of Participant have launched the total run of episodes chronicling the manufacturing of Psychonauts 2 with PsychOdyssey (opens in new tab), and the outcomes are completely unbelievable. The presentation feels so candid and sincere that, even when it feels a bit voyeuristic to observe odd folks do their jobs, it is completely enthralling. You do not know heartbreak till you watch a newly employed degree designer have an concept gently shot down by Tim Schafer.
I have not been capable of cease fascinated with this second from the brand new Double High-quality Psychonauts 2 doc. pic.twitter.com/I7NixkNrbqFebruary 14, 2023
The documentary does not shrink back from the onerous components, even these bits you may count on to be swept apart for company or authorized causes. Take this bit from the time of Microsoft’s buyout of Double High-quality, the place Xbox Sport Studios boss Matt Booty offers some (arguably unsatisfactory) solutions about moonlighting to involved workers.
Big shout-out to 2 Participant Productions and to Tim Schafer for safeguarding the PsychOdyssey documentary. There are unbelievable glimpses into what it is wish to promote your studio to Microsoft in right here.They dropped the documentary on Friday and want your assist sharing it. pic.twitter.com/pfYxnylMSsFebruary 13, 2023
Sport devs from all corners of the trade – from of us at indie studios to steer designers at locations like Respawn and Naughty Canine – have been praising the documentary for its perception into the sport growth course of.
Completed the @DoubleFine documentary. Most likely probably the most vital trade “issues”. Tales like this will not be few & far between- good & unhealthy occur at each studio in all recreation dev. However by no means see it. Right here it’s laid naked for all to learn- immense.https://t.co/LauaXmZwy4February 21, 2023
Very similar to everybody else in GameDev – I’m watching the @DoubleFine documentary. I am a bit too invested now explanation for how actual it’s – going to be sending some annual suggestions requests to @TimOfLegend and co. Please reply in a well timed method.February 22, 2023
As soon as once more, @DoubleFine & @2PProductions have created an intimate & sincere documentary on the method of constructing video video games. In order for you an unvarnished take a look at how the sausage is concepted, deliberate, iterated on, revised, in the reduction of, & ultimately (generally!) made, look no additional: https://t.co/e3wNO5S9nbFebruary 13, 2023
It might most likely drive me insane with stress additionally however I can get via it as a result of I do know on the finish of all of the struggles they made an unbelievable recreation 🥲February 18, 2023
The one downside anyone within the trade appears to have with PsychOdyssey is likely to be that it is slightly software actual.
Completed #DoubleFine #PsychOdyssey & Rattling…It is uncommon to seek out documentaries that showcase challenges of inventive studio work, however I’ve NEVER seen a documentary deal with the delicate challenge of the cracks that break belief within the office and fosters resentment amongst coworkers. pic.twitter.com/CK5vhkT7tEFebruary 14, 2023
9 episodes into PsychOdyssey and I received to the half the place one of many builders is investigating a recreation breaking bug, tries to breed it, and will get a special bug that fully crashes the sport.…I really feel so seen proper now.February 19, 2023
I’m laughing, I’m crying, but additionally I’m like “rattling that heart of mass path debug is a dope concept”February 18, 2023
However actually, the place else are you going to seek out an sincere dialogue about how horrible it’s to make a working platformer digital camera?
You probably have any curiosity to find out how a lot work goes into making the video games you play, PsychOdyssey is important viewing.
I have not even completed PsychOdyssey but and I am already wanting ahead to the documentaries on no matter Double High-quality’s subsequent upcoming Xbox Collection X video games shall be.
