Neumont Game Studio Presents: Bitsy

BITSY

The Itsy Bitsy Spider … Destroyed A Tiny Spaceship

Indie games have long been celebrated for their unique and unconventional approach to storytelling and gameplay, and “Bitsy” is no exception. Developed by Neumont Game Studios, this unassuming title stands out as a testament to the power of simplicity in gaming. See why Bitsy is a must-try game for anyone seeking a different kind of adventure.

THE GOAL

Instructed by the Neumont Llama, you must infiltrate the ship and collect specified items while also battling artificial intelligence in order to sabotage the enemy.

A World of limitations

Bitsy’s most distinctive feature is its constraint-based design. With a time constriction of only 10 weeks and taking the developing team’s inspiration of Tron, Bitsy was created to encourage exploration, conversation, and reflection. The not-so minimalist visuals forced the creators to rely on symbolism and abstraction, creating a unique and immersive storytelling experience. 

You control a small character, a robotic spider, who moves through a series of interconnected rooms that serve as bite-sized narrative vignettes, offering small glimpses into the creative minds of the game developers. What’s impressive is the ability to move the spider, not just along the floor, but along the walls and ceilings. To do so, the team decided to create a camera from scratch instead of using Cinemachine, a tool commonly used for game development. Developing their own camera means they  could control all components and angles of the camera’s direction. For example, when the spider jumps on to the wall, the camera rotates so that you are now looking at the room sideways, but you do have the ability to rotate your camera in the angle you wish to see through. This camera process took a full 10 weeks to develop.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS

The dev team embraced simplicity while pushing the boundaries of what is possible to achieve their goals within the constraints of a 10-week deadline. Some creators spend years crafting entire worlds with interconnected stories, while others focus on a single room that tells a poignant tale. Bitsy’s detailed lighting primarily uses real lighting as well as visual assets to include detailing in the floors, walls, lasers, and many customizations. Every pixel feels deliberate, and the specified color palette adds to the game’s unique atmosphere.

Another very important detail that the team chose NOT to overlook is the use of Procedural Animation. When playing, pay attention to the spider’s ability to step off of an object with one ‘foot’ on the floor and another still on the previous object. The range of motion is more natural and realistic giving the game depth. How did the team accomplish such detailed animation? Lots and lots of calculations. This process took roughly 80 hours of dedicated time to accomplish. 

Whether you’re an aspiring game creator or simply someone looking for a unique gaming experience, Bitsy, alongside all other Neumont Game Studio games, are well worth your time. 

Play Bitsy for FREE on Steam!