The Plucky Squire: From Pokémon to a page-turning indie hit

The Plucky Squire is a highly anticipated indie video game that has captured the attention of many gamers this year. The game features a vibrant and imaginative scene where three cartoon characters—a witch, a blue-skinned troll, and the main character, Jot, who wields a sword and wears a pink tunic—are seen leaping out of the pages of a storybook amidst a flurry of magical green sparks. The storybook is set on a desk cluttered with a houseplant, headphones, and various stationery items, while tiny soldiers and a miniature wizard in blue robes stand beside the book. Have you ever wished that a character from your favorite story could jump off the page and come to life? That is the exciting premise of The Plucky Squire, a game that takes players on an adventure through a fantastical world. In this game, players follow Jot as he embarks on a quest to save the Land of Mojo from the clutches of the evil wizard Humgrump. While the storyline may seem like a classic fairy tale, the game offers a unique twist. Jot possesses the remarkable ability to jump between the two-dimensional world of the storybook and the three-dimensional world of a cluttered desktop, where everyday objects transform into towering obstacles for him to navigate. The Plucky Squire is one of the most eagerly awaited indie games of the year, and its release marks the culmination of a four-year journey for one of its lead designers, James Turner. The narrative of The Plucky Squire is presented in a charming storybook style, featuring whimsical characters such as the wizard Moonbeard, who is depicted as a cartoonish figure with a long white beard and blue robes. He is often seen wearing a gold medallion adorned with a crescent moon-shaped pendant, and he is known for his love of music and exploration. James Turner has an inspiring story of his own. A passionate artist, he pursued a degree in computer graphics and secured a position at a game studio in London. During a trip to Japan, his friends encouraged him to showcase his portfolio to game companies, leading to an interview with Genius Sonority, a developer known for Pokémon spin-offs. Despite the language barrier, James attended the interview with a friend who translated for him, and he ultimately landed the job. This opportunity allowed him to work on Pokémon Colosseum, and he eventually gained recognition from Game Freak, the creators of the main Pokémon series. Over the years, he contributed to around 20 games and rose to the position of art director for the Nintendo Switch titles Pokémon Sword and Shield. While James cherishes his experiences in Japan, he has always harbored a desire to create his own games. He discussed this ambition with his long-time friend Jonathan Biddle, who resides in Australia. Despite the geographical distance, they decided to take the leap and establish their own studio, All Possible Futures. The next step was to develop a game. The inspiration for The Plucky Squire came from the picture books that James read to his young son. He envisioned a fun twist on action-adventure games, where players could explore the world inside the pages of a book. After brainstorming, James and Jonathan decided to include a surprise on every page, leading them to the idea of allowing Jot to jump out of the book and into the 3D world. This concept excited them, as it offered a jaw-dropping twist that would surprise players. The first glimpse of The Plucky Squire was revealed in a trailer during the 2022 Summer Game Fest. The 90-second clip showcased Jot emerging from the pages of the storybook into the vibrant 3D world, generating a wave of positive reactions from viewers who described the moment as 'mind-boggling. ' Initially, James and Jonathan considered keeping the dimensional switch a secret until the game's release, but they ultimately decided to share the surprise to generate excitement. The enthusiastic response from the public confirmed that they had made the right choice, providing them with motivation and reassurance about their project. However, with excitement comes high expectations, and The Plucky Squire faced a delay from its original 2023 release date to allow the team to refine the game further. James acknowledged that this decision led to a challenging conversation with their publisher, Devolver Digital, known for releasing successful indie titles. While it was uncomfortable, James emphasized the importance of doing what is right for the project. Throughout the development process, James and Jonathan worked from their respective homes in the UK and Australia, recruiting team members from around the globe as the project expanded. Despite the challenges posed by time zone differences, they managed to collaborate effectively. The delay in releasing The Plucky Squire also sparked discussions among gamers about the value of gameplay versus graphics. James believes that there is a growing desire for fun and creative games as an alternative to the more serious and darker titles produced by larger companies. He is proud to offer a bright and cheerful game that appeals to a wide audience, providing a refreshing option in the gaming landscape.