Unlocking the Power of Language in Chants of Sennaar

The year 2023 witnessed a surge in exceptional indie games that left an indelible mark on the gaming community. Amidst the intense market competition, one game that stood out was Chants of Sennaar, a unique love letter to communication and language. Developed by Rundisc, an independent studio founded by Julien Moya and Thomas Panuel, the game challenges players to decipher ancient languages in a world inspired by the Tower of Babel. The gameplay begins with simple tasks, such as matching symbols to unlock gates, and gradually evolves into a complex linguistic journey. The pre-production of Chants of Sennaar commenced in 2019, with the studio drawing inspiration from notable indie titles like Return of the Obra Dinn and Heaven's Vault. The game's primary influence, however, came from the language-deciphering challenges of Heaven's Vault. After refining the game's demo, Moya and Panuel pitched it to publishers, eventually securing a deal with Focus Interactive. This partnership enabled the duo to dedicate themselves to the game's development, bringing in a freelance sound designer and composer to enhance the overall experience. Despite the challenges they faced, the team persevered, driven by their vision of creating a game that would resonate with players. The core gameplay of Chants of Sennaar revolves around interacting with non-playable characters, signposts, and connecting the dots to uncover the secrets of the ancient languages. The game's design process involved extensive testing and refinement, with the team striving to balance difficulty and learning curves to cater to a wide range of players. The central pillar of the game – the five ancient languages – was designed to support the gameplay and narrative, rather than the other way around. The languages in Chants of Sennaar were created by mixing inspiration from existing languages, such as Latin and Phoenician alphabets, with a touch of cuneiform. The team aimed to craft fantasy languages that would serve as puzzle elements, rather than scientifically accurate representations. The game's visual style, characterized by a minimalist and wireframe aesthetic, was developed to overcome the limitations of the team's resources. The narrative of Chants of Sennaar draws inspiration from the Indian fable, "The Six Blind Men and The Elephant," which reflects the team's perspective on the world. As players progress through the game, they become the unofficial translator of the tower, using their multilingual powers to connect the fragmented clans. The game's story mirrors the real-world divisions and geopolitical situation, with the team acknowledging that their concerns and experiences seeped into the narrative. The success of Chants of Sennaar demonstrates the potential of independent game development, highlighting the importance of finding the right publisher and trusting the creative process. As Rundisc looks to the future, it is clear that Moya and Panuel are no longer mere hobbyists, but seasoned game developers with a unique voice and vision.