Hyper Games Aims to Introduce Moomins to a Wider Audience

The world is divided into two groups: those who grew up with Tove Jansson's Moomin series and those who have never heard of it. Describing Jansson's universe to someone unfamiliar with her work is a challenging task, as it encompasses poetry, melancholy, queerness, and a mix of light and dark themes. The Moomin series has become a cultural phenomenon, with nine books translated into 44 languages, numerous TV adaptations, and a theme park in Finland. According to Are Sundnes, co-founder of Hyper Games, the Moomins have a significant following worldwide, particularly in the Nordics, Asia, and Mexico. However, in the US, the series is not well-known, making it a niche interest. The Moomins have been introduced to different countries in various ways, with the US slowly discovering the series through books and merchandise, while Japan has fully embraced the franchise. Hyper Games announced Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley in 2021, a semi-open world game with a musical aspect. The 13-person team has been working on the game for over three years, aiming to stay true to Jansson's universe. Sundnes was inspired by Tove Jansson's picture book "Who Will Comfort Toffle" and wanted to adapt the story into a game, incorporating Jansson's graphic style and focusing on Snufkin, a musician and wanderer. Sundnes sees similarities between Snufkin and Link from the Zelda series, which inspired the game. The team faced challenges in adapting the depth and tone of Jansson's universe into a game, balancing gameplay with the characters' personalities and the atmosphere. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley features a unique progression system, where players collect inspiration instead of items, and uses instruments as tools. Moomin Characters, the company owning the IP, has been closely involved in the game's development, ensuring that the game meets their quality standards. Hyper Games has partnered with Raw Fury as the game's publisher, a natural fit due to their shared Nordic context and focus on high-quality indie games. The game is set to release in Q1 2024, with the goal of introducing the Moomins to a new audience, particularly in the US, where there is a growing interest in wholesome games. Sundnes believes that the wholesome games genre has become more popular during the pandemic, providing a new audience with a different type of gaming experience. He doesn't understand why some people are annoyed by the wholesome movement, as he thinks it's great that gaming is becoming more varied and accessible.