After leaving Playdead, a studio which he co-founded, Inside and Limbo developer Dino Patti has announced a new sci-fi action adventure game. Titled Somerville, the game is a collaboration between Patti and Chris Olsen, a seasoned film animator and game developer.
Somerville will be the debut title of Jumpship, a UK based independent games studio founded by Patti and Olsen. The new IP will follow the lives of several key characters in the wake of a catastrophic global event.
Olsen describes the opportunity of working on Somerville and making it a reality as a “dream come true.”
“It’s taken many early rises and late nights crafting this passion project of mine, and it’s a dream come true to be given the opportunity to bring others on who can help to make Somerville everything it can be,” he said.
A statement on Jumpship’s website gives some insight into what the studio hopes to accomplish with the games it develops.
“Our philosophy is to break preconceived notions of what games can be by exploring the creative possibilities of the medium. We believe in games as a legitimate and positive endeavor; with potential not only as an entertainment medium, but as a tool to question the human condition. We strive to support our intent with an unwavering ethic in all facets of the process.
This unwillingness to take the path well-trodden, to aim for standards seemingly out of reach and meticulously handcraft every aspect is where the weight of value lies for us as a studio. It raises entertainment to something deeply personal.”
There is no release date for Somerville as of yet, but its reveal teaser trailer can be seen below. Though it is short and doesn’t give away too many details, the trailer is a good tone piece and shows the world in some sort of peril.
