Revolutionizing Survival Games: The Journey of Pacific Drive

Unlike most developers who focus on a single genre for their debut title, Ironwood Studios took a bold approach with Pacific Drive, blending two genres into one unique experience. At first glance, Pacific Drive, which launches on PC and PS5, appears to be a typical driving game where players explore the Pacific Northwest in a station wagon. However, as players progress, they will discover that there is more to the game than meets the eye. At its core, Pacific Drive is a survival game set in 1998, where players must escape the hostile environment of the Olympic Exclusion Zone. According to Ironwood Studios founder and creative director Alex Dracott, the game is a "surreal, survival game with a hint of spookiness" that offers an exciting experience. Pacific Drive is not only a love letter to the Pacific Northwest but also a game inspired by Dracott's childhood memories of road trips and camping in his family's station wagon. These experiences sparked an emotional connection with the car, which is a central theme in the game. To create a personal connection between the player and the car, the team decided to use a silent protagonist. Players will form a bond with the car as they navigate the game world, and this bond is unique to each player. The game's development involved experimentation with different storylines and gameplay mechanics. Initially, the game focused on driving and exploring the Pacific Northwest, but the team soon added interactive elements that allowed players to form a deeper connection with the car. One of the key features of Pacific Drive is its quirk system, which allows players to diagnose and fix issues with the car. This mechanic adds a layer of realism to the game and reinforces the bond between the player and the car. The game's development was not without its challenges, particularly in terms of balancing interactivity and complexity. The team had to ensure that the game's mechanics were engaging but not overwhelming, especially considering the small size of the development team. Dracott founded Ironwood Studios in 2019, after working in the games industry since 2011. He saw an opportunity to create his own studio with the advent of accessible game development tools and platforms like Steam. The studio started building its core team in 2020, and despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they were able to grow consistently and find a partner in Kepler Interactive in 2023. Dracott is pleased with the reception of Pacific Drive so far, particularly the unique experiences shared by players online and at events like PAX West. While there are no firm plans for DLC or a sequel, the team has discussed the game's potential for expansion, given its rich and anomaly-filled world.