Developer Interview: Rooster

It was Chinese New Year, and I dreamt that the zodiac animals were racing Rooster. When I woke up, I knew I wanted to make a game inspired by Chinese New Year, just like in my dream.

Rooster was originally a racing game. At first, I thought the zodiac animals could help or sabotage each other based on who is most and least compatible. For example, Rooster, Snake, and Ox would be allies, while Rooster and Rabbit would be enemies. Instead, we decided to give the game a slower narrative structure that uses puzzles and point-and-click mini-games throughout the story. [He] works with a different zodiac animal at each level so that players can get to know each character's unique personality.

Our team members visited the ROM in Toronto and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art to take photos of Chinese art, pottery, and other everyday items, like furniture. Rooster's primary influence is the Tang dynasty, but we also gathered reference images from the Qing and Ming dynasties. We also referenced books from the Toronto reference library to help us design key visuals for Rooster's setting.

Thank you! I enjoy watercolours and inks, so I tried to replicate a similar look using a combination of Photoshop brushes. We've achieved a unique style that looks hand-painted and reflects the culture and atmosphere of ancient China.

This is our first big game together, so we are learning to collaborate and handle a larger scope; many of the Rooster team members are filling larger roles for the first time. We genuinely enjoy each other's company, which makes communication and problem-solving easier.

The Lunar New Year and the Chinese zodiac are our main sources of inspiration. We were motivated to create Rooster because we couldn't find any other games that showcase Chinese culture and values in this way.

Our team is amazing! Working with a group of creatives who are so passionate about the project has been exciting and rewarding. Most of the Rooster team is East Asian-Canadian, so it's easy for us to understand which design, development, and writing choices will authentically represent Chinese culture.

As art director, I learned that people work and process information differently, and it is important to have 1:1 check-ins to ensure needs are met, team members feel supported, and roadblocks are smoothed out. And even just to say hello!

The narrative informs the gameplay, so we based each mini-game on the story of the level. For example, in the Tiger level, Little Dove is at an age where he's searching for a life partner, so we created a match-making game where he meets 12 women, each with the personality and aesthetic of a different zodiac animal. Little Dove finds his perfect match, and the players move on to the next adventure.

Since Rooster was the main character in my dream, we decided to centre the game around him and his personality traits according to the Chinese zodiac. [His] journey allows us to explore important parts of Chinese culture, such as caring for family and reciprocity.

NONE!!!

I love turtles, so I'd choose one to join the zodiac. If players look closely, they'll find illustrations of my pet turtles [on] every level.

I'd like to have a turtle teach Rooster something. I would need to collaborate with [the game's] writer/narrative designer, Deb Chantson, who is great at [writing the lessons]. But if there was another lesson to be learned, I would have a turtle teach it to Rooster.

I worked closely with Deb, so I'm happy with the lessons Rooster learns, how they fit with my vision for the game and the traditional traits associated with the [Chinese zodiac sign].

Rooster learns to care for others and be a better friend to the other zodiac animals; he apologizes for being rude and disrupting the New Year celebrations by bringing gifts and cooking food for his friends. We love that these lessons will resonate with players of all ages across the Chinese diaspora, but they're also very universal, which is why the game is for everyone.