Creators of Untitled Goose Game turn Australia into a playground

Wilson's Promontory, a stunning coastal destination in Victoria, Australia, has become the setting for the co-operative video game Big Walk. Co-developed by House House, the Melbourne studio behind the popular game Untitled Goose Game, the virtual recreation of Wilson's Prom is as unique as the real-life location. Co-founder Jake Strasser spent six years meticulously placing every rock in the game's 1:20 scale recreation of the park, describing it as having an "unusual magnetism."

The game's developers were drawn to Wilson's Prom for its awe-inspiring geography and the special place it holds in their hearts. Co-founder Stuart Gillespie-Cook's proposal to his partner at the location only added to the charm. The team used lidar scans to create a 3D map of the park, capturing the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of the area, from salt marshes and wet eucalyptus forests to dry eucalyptus forests.

Big Walk's developers focused on recreating the authentic Australian bush, recording sounds specific to the region and developing 3D models for 80-100 native plants. Unlike other games that take artistic liberties with nature, House House's attention to detail sets Big Walk apart. The game's paths are designed to make players feel like the first ones to walk them, with no explicit hiking trails.

Players communicate through voice chat while in close proximity, engaging in charades, using hand signals, flashlights, and laser pointers to help each other solve puzzles scattered throughout the game. This emphasis on communication sets Big Walk apart from conventional escape rooms and adventure games. The developers believe that communication and teamwork are essential elements of the gaming experience, making Big Walk a refreshing take on the genre.