Unity's 20-Year Return to Game Development: Launching Survival Kids on Nintendo Switch 2

Behind the familiar Unity logo lies a lesser-known fact: the company has developed its first game in 20 years, Survival Kids, a modern take on a classic Konami IP. This exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 launch title marks a new chapter for Unity, which has traditionally focused on supporting game developers rather than creating its own games. Andrew Dennison, head of Unity Studio Productions, reveals the story behind this ambitious project. Originally founded as Over The Edge Entertainment in 2004, Unity developed its first and only game, GooBall, using an early version of the Unity engine. The experience gained from this project contributed to the widespread adoption of Unity as a game engine. However, the company shifted its focus towards supporting other developers, putting its own game development endeavors on hold for 20 years. The question remains: what prompted Unity to return to game development now? According to Dennison, the goal was to production-verify the entire game development process, from concept to launch, using Unity's engine. By building a game from start to finish, the company aimed to test its engine's capabilities, identify potential issues, and improve the overall development experience for its users. The project began in 2022, with Dennison seeking potential partners at Gamescom. Konami, which has been reviving its dormant IPs through partnerships with indie developers, proved to be an ideal partner. The classic Game Boy Color series Survival Kids, known as Stranded Kids in Europe, was chosen for its potential in the current gaming landscape. With a focus on cosy survival co-op games, the project aligned perfectly with Unity's goals. The contract was signed in March 2023, and a production team was built, peaking at around 20 people. Although assistance was provided by other Unity teams worldwide, a core team was established in Stratford-upon-Avon, near Leamington Spa, a hub for game development. The partnership with Konami Europe, based in Windsor, facilitated smooth communication. The development of Survival Kids began before the release of Unity's latest engine version, Unity 6. As a full game rather than a tech demo, it was not designed to showcase every feature of the new engine but still leverages its tools, such as Adaptive Probe Volumes and Lobby and Relay tools. The production process was designed to emulate the experience of Unity's customers, with considerations for budget, timescales, milestones, and technical risks. By managing these risks and using Unity 6, the team aimed to create a strong game while verifying the engine's capabilities. As a third-party developer with access to a Nintendo Switch 2 development kit, Unity was able to test its engine and implement features like GameShare, allowing for wireless multiplayer streaming across multiple devices. The success of Survival Kids is not a priority for Unity Studio Productions, as the primary goal is to improve the Unity engine and provide a better experience for its users. While the future of the studio remains uncertain, the Production Verification program, which partners Unity with studios to test its technology in live projects, is a testament to the company's commitment to engine development and production verification.