Future Cat Games has blown past its initial Kickstarter goals for its latest game, Margin of the Strange. With over three thousand backers ready for their mystery adventure centered around the world of human dreams, Future Cat Games sat down with us to talk about the inspiration for the game, what they’ve learned, and more.
A narrative mystery adventure, Margin of the Strange is about a lot of things: exploring bizarre landscapes, meeting new people, and building a dream world through the power of agriculture—all of which are centered on the world of human dreams.
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If you’re unfamiliar, the game’s story synopsis is as follows:
“The world of Margina lush, sprawling, and utterly bizarre ecosystem made entirely out of glass–exists somewhere beyond the world of the waking. Though it’s colloquially called “the dream world,” very few humans can access this place, but those who can mold it to their will… at least to some extent.
Our protagonist, Ling, has recently acquired the ability to access Margin after a life-changing event called “dying”. (He got better). Now, partnered symbiotically with one of Margin’s denizens, Ling sets out to uncover the mysteries of this world and maybe learn a few things about himself in the process.”
BUT WHY THO: What have you learned about yourself throughout the development process of OneShot that you’re bringing into Margin of the Strange?
Future Cat Games: I learned that deadlines are good, and I would not be anywhere without them. External pressure and accountability helps me curb my perfectionist tendencies, thus allowing me to actually finish projects instead of redrawing the same map for eternity.
BUT WHY THO: How did the concept for Margin of the strange begin? How has the game iterated over its development journey?
Future Cat Games: It’s hard to pinpoint the exact starting point, maybe when I was in middle school making original characters and worldbuilding for the first time? That story has since evolved over the course of my life as my tastes developed. I would say the biggest change was that it pivoted from supernatural fantasy to supernatural mystery/science fiction, sometime back in 2008. As a game, it also jumped a few genres from visual novel, simple adventure game, and now a more complex adventure game with gardening (and other) mechanics. A lot can change in 20 years.
BUT WHY THO: What inspired the animation style for Margin of the strange?
Future Cat Games: The animation is not by me, but by our amazing animator Carlos Schvepper! He was a big inspiration of mine way back in 2008, so I’m thrilled that we were able to bring him onboard for the project. As for other specific inspirations, probably studio Trigger? I do remember looking at some Promare screenshots to decide on how simplified we should make the coloring and shading (I only did color keys).
BUT WHY THO: What do you hope Margin of the Strange inspires in its players?
Future Cat Games: This is a tough question to answer without going too much into the story of the game, but for now, maybe “curiosity”?
You can check out the Margins of the Strange Kickstarter here.
This interview was conducted via email.
