As a baby, beloved Japanese recreation developer Keita Takahashi was picked on at school, so he by no means felt like going. His newest recreation, To a T, emulates a few of these challenges. It tells the story of Teen—a child struggling to slot in, coping with eye boogers, and discovering themselves via track and exploration, all whereas their arms are inexplicably caught in a T-pose.
To a T, to be launched by Annapurna Interactive Could 28, follows Takahashi’s trajectory of making colourful, playful video games which can be undeniably cute however extremely odd. His best-known recreation, Katamari Damacy, is about rolling up every part in sight, from pens to individuals, in an ever-growing ball, that includes an unforgettable soundtrack and essentially the most flamboyant king to ever grace video games. Others, like 2019’s Wattam, are eccentric, vibrant, and stuffed with poop.
Created with the sport studio Uvula, To a T follows Teen’s struggles navigating the toilet, getting dressed, and coping with bullies as their arms are trapped in a T. Fortuitously Teen’s canine, an incredibly adept creature who places fashionable service canine to disgrace, is there to assist every time Teen wants an additional set of movable palms. (Annapurna Interactive aptly describes Teen’s furry helper as being “a really cute canine.”)
The episodic story opens with an upbeat track in regards to the recreation (to not be confused with “The Giraffe Music,” sung in a teaser video by Rebecca Sugar). Throughout a short demo I performed, I guided Teen via washing their face, selecting outfits, and preparing for varsity.
Hoping for some deeper insights into the sport, I tracked down Takahashi at an Xbox occasion in San Francisco throughout GDC, the place he was hiding in a again nook away from the bustle of the day and the bar. However, whereas he is loath to reply too many questions on his recreation and what all of it means, he’ll nonetheless gamely, gently troll anybody who comes his manner.
Under is an abbreviated model of a really puzzling interview.
WIRED: Inform me slightly bit about what’s, usually, occurring on this recreation.
Keita Takahashi: [Laughs] What’s usually occurring with this recreation?
We’ll begin there.
It’s a recreation about a youngster who’s caught as a T-pose and making an attempt to determine the place the T-pose is coming from. It’s a recreation about—umm. [Long pause] Do I would like to elucidate? [Another long pause] No. [Laughs]
That’s truthful. Who is that this character? How would you describe them?
A young person, 13-years-old, feminine or male, no matter I imply, I don’t care—caught in a T-pose, for some purpose.
What makes T the right pose?
As a result of it’s good! You’re good. I feel it’s simply good.
What do you assume the toughest factor to do while you’re T-posed is?
Go to the toilet. That’s why the canine helps [with] every part. Altering the clothes, toilet, washing your face.
I’ve by no means performed a recreation that had me begin by going to the toilet.