Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Creating a Magical Adventure: Behind the Storybook

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All Possible Futures A computer-generated image shows three cartoon characters - a witch, blue-skinned troll and a central, sword-wielding hero in a pink tunic - jumping out of the pages of a story book in a shower of green magical sparks. The book is set on a desk, with a houseplant, headphones, and various bits of stationery scattered around it, facing a window. Three tiny soldiers stand next to the book, and a miniature beared wizard in blue robes stands on an open page.
All Possible Futures

Leaping into action: The Plucky Squire is one of the year’s most anticipated indie games

Ever wished a character from your favourite book would leap off the page?

Imagine if they actually could.

That’s the concept behind The Plucky Squire, a new video game set inside – and outside – a storybook.

Follow the title character Jot on his quest to save the Land of Mojo from evil wizard Humgrump.

The tongue-in-cheek adventure heavily influenced by classics like The Legend of Zelda has a unique twist: Jot can jump between the 2D world of its pages and the 3D world outside.

The Plucky Squire, one of this year’s most anticipated indie games, received favorable reviews from critics upon its release.

Its launch marks the end of a four-year journey for lead designer James Turner.


All Possible Futures A cartoon wizard character with a long white beard and blue robes holds a pair of headphones to his ear. He wears a gold medallion with a large, crescent moon-shaped pendant that matches the white lunar shapes on his outfit. Black writing on the purple page reads:
All Possible Futures

The Plucky Squire’s story is told in a storybook style, featuring characters including the wizard Moonbeard

James has a fairy tale story of his own.

An artist by nature, he studied computer graphics and landed a job at a London game studio.

During a trip to Japan, friends helped him secure a position at Pokémon spin-off developer Genius Sonority despite the language barrier.

James eventually worked on multiple Pokémon titles and became the art director for Pokémon Sword and Shield on Nintendo Switch.

With a desire to start his own studio, James partnered with Jonathan Biddle, based in Australia, to establish All Possible Futures.

After delaying the release of The Plucky Squire for polishing, James reflects on the challenges and rewards of indie game development.


All Possible Futures A 2D character stands on a piece of cardboard decorated with a drawing of a grassy hill. The corrugated material gives the hill a 3D effect, and the main character folds with the paper as he passes through a crease.
All Possible Futures

Jot can also jump into drawings scattered around the 3D world


Vocabulary List:

  1. Anticipated /ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪ.tɪd/ (adjective): Regarded as likely to happen; expected.
  2. Concept /ˈkɒn.sɛpt/ (noun): An abstract idea or general notion.
  3. Influenced /ˈɪn.fluː.ənst/ (verb): Affected or changed by external factors.
  4. Twist /twɪst/ (noun): A change in the expected outcome or direction.
  5. Journey /ˈdʒɜː.ni/ (noun): The act of traveling from one place to another often implying progress or development.
  6. Challenges /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒɪz/ (noun): Difficulties that require a solution or effort to overcome.

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