How Celeste Was Made and Inspired by Real-Life Rock Climbing

[@ThatGuyGlen]

What indie game would you like to see me cover next? Leave a suggestion in the comments below! Also, if you enjoyed the video, please consider subscribing to stay up to date on future “How Games Were Made” episodes. Leaving a like and sharing the video also helps out! Support me on Patreon and get exclusive content like Q&A sessions, ad-free content, access to my Discord server and more: www.patreon.com/ThatGuyGlen

[@NekoAnthro]

The story behind OctoDad or Bugsnax would be interesting to see!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

@@NekoAnthro I'm playing Bugsnax right now and it's such a charming game, it's definitely on my list now!

[@dkrumpenstein2370]

I think Enter the Gungeon would be cool to see!

[@12newangels]

jump king!

[@kaitlinwagoner8782]

Oneshot! You cant watch it without spoilers or even google it without spoilers, but it is a really good time if you take the time (which is not much, it took me and a few of my friends around a few hours to do the *full* game. It does have a warning of flashes, but I dont know how.

[@crittr]

"Lena was given full 'Raine'"

[@QuoteNQuiet]

💀

[@cjgeometrydashhhyeaAaa]

Get out

[@Basil_22]

Pun with names ?? Kind bruh ngl

[@Mattstak]

Translate to English

[@c00lg00p]

*loud sigh*

[@KingKasper69]

This game means so much to me. Last year I had to deal with the tragedy of my best friend and sister passing away. It feels as though this game was made for me. My sister had chosen her grandmother's name, Celeste. She had picked the name after the game was already on my radar and when she told me that she had picked it and I brought up the game. So I wound up getting her a copy for her birthday. She sadly passed away before she had the chance to play it. I've been dealing with that loss for a few months now. I see her everywhere, but I know that it isn't her and that she's gone. This game is one of the only places where I allow myself to see her. I've now completed the game but I will forever treasure it and the place where I can see my sister again. I love you Celeste and I appreciate the hard work that was put into this game. It has transcended every aspect and has become a place for me to mourn her loss and appreciate the memories of our time together.

[@mekomaxxing]

shit this made me tear up. hope youre doing well

[@nomukun1138]

The downwards and upwards "wind" in the last section of Summit REALLY made me think of mountain climbing. It felt so much like exhaustion dragging you down until you endure and push through it. The upwards wind section was like the giddiness of a runner's high.

[@druw7523]

This video made me go out and buy a game I’m not even interested in playing. Well done to everyone involved, You too for making the video. As someone who’s battled suicidal thoughts and depression is really hit home.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, hope you have a good day! 🙏

[@prcr364]

How’s you like Celeste? Got it for $5 on the Switch and I love it!

[@GeneralDMadness]

So did you play it?

[@WeekndWarriorrr]

​@@ThatGuyGlenYou just sold another copy as well. I would say I would subscribe but I've been subscribed for awhile. One of my favorite "gaming channels" on KZbin.

[@kpdelaney6460]

I didn’t know that they made the pico8 Celeste in 4 days. That’s amazing how fast they were able to make that!

[@taureanlloyd925]

Celeste is more than just a game. Its is an experience and heartfelt story about learning to cope with inner depression instead of running away from it. Also one the best soundtracks in a video game period.

[@ronanpflanagan]

Cringe 🤢🤮

[@Jaxan-dq2jy]

I don't think it's only about depression but rather the insecure part of yourself that tries to keep you safe by preventing you from taking risks. I call this resistance. The same feeling you get when you have to start homework, learn a new skill, or show something you prefer not to.

[@Nimaj420]

@@ronanpflanagan no u

[@rmt3589]

Yeah, I might have to get it. I've only seen speedrunners, and didn't know it had a significant story besides fetch quests.

[@Male_Parent]

It's my third favorite soundtrack just behind Hollow Knight and Undertale.

[@Julia-lg8dt]

Celeste is simply amazing. The story is told heartwrenchingly well with so few tools and genuinely made me cry when I finally reached the summit.

[@tear959]

Crying of happy when reached the summit, then crying of suffer in farewell

[@wadalapichu4873]

Dont worry for the mistake, it could happen to anyone, i wasnt aware of it. Thanks for being so respectful about it, its good to see that u are such a nice guy :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, it's the least I can do!

[@ukalik]

Just so y'all know, maddy thorson doesn't look like that at all. That's a pre-transition photo, she actually has transitioned and passes in public most of the time.

[@GalGaleno-q5j]

Even if she did not, her identity is her own and deserves respect! She's amazing!

[@-r-3656]

Just searched it up, she transitioned her looks really damn well.

[@GalGaleno-q5j]

@Zergling-iq9hm i've never seen cis males wondering about doing that so be my guest, gal

[@mr.shplorb662]

@Zergling-iq9hm bro what

[@justsomeannoyingredpanda]

As someone once said: "Celeste is a type of video game that reminds me why I play them"

[@nbarragan12]

I can't stress enough how much I love your documentaries. I'm always looking forward to the next one. I almost never comment anything on KZbin, but I feel like doing it when I watch your videos. Good work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you very much, I appreciate the support! Comments like yours make my day and keep me motivated so I really do appreciate it :D

[@seraphrakuro]

Idk why nobody is pointing this out but I actually really like the backgrounds, they’re really creative, i like that you’ve put the campfire scene in chapter 6 on the top layer, so that its in front of footage and stuff- that makes it feel like they’re really here in the video! And another thing i like is that the frame is a celeste postcard. Theres a lot of personalization added to the videos that i always notice, like you play the game’s soundtrack for the whole video, you used the same font that was usually used for the text in the game, you had snow going across the screen, you used the same kind of profile thing that you see on the screen where you pick a save file. Its just very creative, well thought out and nice to look at! Well done!

[@Kyropinesis]

“Lena was given free Raine”

[@theiaraine]

That is amazingly funny.

[@netroalex5209]

Damn. I knew that Celeste is a beautiful game, but I did not know that there was such a story behind it. I didn't play the game or have seen lots of gameplay of it, but this video gave me goosebumps lots of times

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear you liked it! The parallels between the story in the game and the story of how it was developed are really interesting.

[@vaderistik]

Great video, I bought Celeste 2 days ago and even though I have essays to finish, I already played it for 8 hours, I am on Chapter 6 right now and this video helped me to understand game's narrative better. Keep up the good work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, will do!

[@copycancel]

17:18 "Lena was given free-Raine over the soundtrack" is one of the best puns I've ever heard.

[@vineheart01]

The story in Celeste tore me apart, its so well done.

[@MrDusuke]

I LOVE THIS TEAM, I love Lena Raine's songs and everthing Maddy Thorson and her team creates is an instant buy for me.

[@mesolagic]

This was so well done, I loved hearing about the journey of this game! It's strange, this channel has been doing very well and this game is also well known but for some reason this video doesn't have as many views as others.. Did something happen? I wonder why, because this deserves waaaaaay more attention!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated! My simple guess is that most people didn't enjoy this video as much as the other ones. That's been my experience on KZbin so far at least. Also, the algorithm giveth and the algorithm taketh away.

[@bero-]

"How Among Us was Made" would be very interesting

[@ThatGuyGlen]

I agree! It's on my list so expect it to pop up at some point in the future.

[@bero-]

@@ThatGuyGlen Nice

[@rayray5786]

@@bero- nice

[@genderfr3ak]

You sus

[@goodname9154]

Amogus

[@TheHishiro]

Just discovered your channel, and as a video game student I'm absolutly loving it ! Very inspiring documentaries compilling all sorts of interviews at once place, hope to see even more !

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, it always makes me happy to hear when they serve as an inspiration for aspiring developers! :D Working on the next one now so stay tuned!

[@BlaqueT]

I was wondering what had happened to the video! But good on you for addressing your mistake and sorting it out without a fuss. Even more respect to you and so keen to see more 😊

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thanks! When it comes to respecting people's identity, I don't think twice about it. Working on the next one now so stay tuned :D

[@toojlewis8982]

Celeste was such a good game and I loved every second of it. The story was so heartfelt and I personally related to it as someone that struggles with depression. Also the soundtrack is just amazing I added every song to y playlist after I beat it.

[@soni801]

i just discovered this channel some days ago, and I must say wow the production quality is high.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@Sharksandwichtornado]

As someone who has lived with anxiety their whole life playing celeste was like an eye opener for me, it made me feel more understood. Props to the team for making such a beautiful game ❤

[@supahstarclod]

Discovered this video just now - extremely well done. Celeste means a lot to me, and I'm really glad you did a video on personal aspects of the development process.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@rajaz001]

It’s really cool of you to take down the whole video to make the necessary changes. I’m sure Maddy would have appreciated it ;) Still a top quality video! Keep up the good work 😊

[@badams.mp3]

They for sure shouldn't make a sequel. Exok is going to be a studio to watch closely

[@LM77va]

Great game. Cute, heartfelt story. Although, I never thought it touched on depression. To me depression is a serious sense of hoplessness. The gondola scene was my favorite. I could feel the anxiety there, but who wouldn't panic in that situation? The story seemed like an internal struggle. Madeline vs Self doubt (Badeline). The mountain represents everything that blocks or discourages her from achieving her goals. In the end Madeline learns to accept her doubt as a tool to learn from. At least that's the way I interpreted it.

[@GalaxySid]

There are great plattformers out there, great stories, great music, great artwork... but Celeste is simply the perfect composition of all of them. It hit me hard in the guts and gave me many hours of joy.

[@herodoesstuff]

this game has such an incredible and wholesome development story... also hearing all the sprites were made in aesprite is Insane to me. i'm so so happy this game had all the time, love, and care put into it to make it something truly incredible, and that they cared so much to make sure any player could play and experience it. this game will always have a special place in my heart :']

[@badbone_hd9274]

the soundtrack is so incredibly well done i listen to it on its own so much

[@abandoned__]

Good thing you corrected it! I love the video even more now 🙏

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear that!

[@SantanaBanana47]

I like how the game shows you have to confront your problems, instead of running away from them or pretending they don't exist.I like how the game shows you have to confront your problems, instead of running away from them or pretending they don't exist. She overcame her paralyzing self doubt through self reflection and set out to do what she truly wanted to do.

[@empathetic4100]

I feel the same way, I adore games that aren’t afraid to deal with mental health , night in the woods did an great job on this as well.

[@andrewmilosavlevski6646]

Great video dude. Im always amazed by the quality and presentation of the information👍

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! I put a lot of work in the presentation so I’m always happy to hear people appreciate it :D

[@finallychangedmyname3614]

Alr8 time to watch this again :D

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Appreciate it!

[@Veeti1245]

This video was amazing and its clear that you worked hard for it!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! Makes me happy to hear some people like the video since it's one of the least popular ones on the channel.

[@braznnn]

i love how you make the video seem like it's apart of the game with your editing. Good stuff!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@Fopull]

It’s crazy how such a massive game can begin from a simple game jam.

[@willowgoober]

celeste helped me alot with my social anxiety and i just love the game so much

[@lehellenart4112]

i remember i played this before my problems hit me and i didn’t understand much of what happened in game. but now it all hit me. it feels really weird to now realize everything in the game. i guess all it took was a few years of depression that god knows when will end. but still amazing game, amazing music, amazing storyline. its just pure perfection

[@챙랴노]

love you always using game's theme for the video

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you like it! People seem to dig that aspect of my videos so I'm going to keep doing it :D

[@챙랴노]

@@ThatGuyGlen YEESSSS :))))

[@nicholaskroeplin81]

I just found out that Give Up Robot (flash game) is made by the same people. I love both games, they are great platformers.

[@Orimoss]

Really happy to see you gaining traction. Can't wait to see you gain popularity dude! You deserve it for being such a hardworker!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, I'm super happy with where the channel is right now, it's been quite a year!

[@Cap_ta]

Really like your videos, I don't find that much in depth talking about games in KZbin, hope you keep doing these

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you like them! And no worries, I'm definitely going to make a lot more videos :D

[@NekoAnthro]

ThatGuyGlen is great for the amount of work he puts in and his research! I’d put him beside the great game scholars of KZbin. Take a look at Game Maker’s Toolkit, Daryl Talks Games, Adam Millard, Extra Credits, and Razbuten’s series on non gamers trying games! All great food for thought on video games

[@ThatGuyGlen]

@@NekoAnthro That's really high praise, thank you!

[@paulashin5133]

Celeste is a timeless game. It is fun, the gameplay is engaging and the story is very, very emotional. It taught me things for life. It might not be a guide to how to deal with depression, but it sure as hell helped me with that. Great video, great take on this classic.

[@Lukz243]

Great work on the research, visual and editing. I'm looking forward to your next videos

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@PuppetKingdom]

These videos are so good and i love how there’s a different background and theme to each video

[@omnomgamer8633]

Now all we need is a celeste maker, liker mario maker but Celeste. Madeline for smash anyone?

[@Searching4DMT]

🤩 yes

[@theiaraine]

google loenn

[@thundageon5962]

Celeste is a masterpiece that took away my depression but everything changed when Chapter 9 was a thing

[@gabe1673]

So very much appreciate the reupload!❤️❤️

[@canaldoarthur4183]

Brazilian people helping to make such a good game is just delightful to see. 😀

[@realoctolink64]

Which one is Brazilian?

[@costelinha1867]

@@realoctolink64 I think the one responsible for the pixel art is Brazilian.

[@pyttipanna]

Amazing work! The attention to detail in your videos is really outstanding. I'm always so excited when a new one comes up

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you :D Working on the next one now!

[@kpdelaney6460]

I loved playing through this game. The difficulty of the main story was perfect.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Same here! I died a lot myself, but it always felt fair and like I was in control at all times. You just keep improving and get a hang of the mechanics and level design. It’s an amazing experience all the way through the end.

[@KARINEMOOSE]

Your dedication to presenting these games well, and representing the designers with the utmost respect is incredible. I know how hard it is to re-upload content after you've spent so much time on it, what you did is remarkable and we can all learn from it. Our content isn't more important than the people we represent. Watching again because your incredible quality and integrity is out of this world. 💎

[@ThatGuyGlen]

You hit the nail on the head! I want my videos to inspire people and give the developers the respect they deserve. They’ve created such memorable gaming experiences that have brought joy to millions around the world. Thank you so much for rewatching it btw 🙏 I hope the video is still gonna reach people despite the reupload.

[@KARINEMOOSE]

@@ThatGuyGlen That's a really admirable goal. I hope these designer's stories continue to be told through exceptional videos such as these! Keep doing what you're doing, and thank you!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you for taking the time to watch them! 🙏

[@simpli_A]

Inspired by mountain climbing Ahh yes, i love watching mountain climbers seemingly fly as they zoom forward, changing their hair color along the way In all seriousness though that was such an interesting idea! I’ve never done mountain climbing, but i’ve played “the climb VR” so close enough, right?

[@taureanlloyd925]

I like your love for indie games, you have good taste. Keep up the good work

[@ThatGuyGlen]

There’s so many innovative and impressive indie games nowadays, it’s a great time to be an indie fan!

[@taureanlloyd925]

Doing stories on triple A video game development is interesting as well. Just look at game maker toolkit. I am sure you know him and should collaborate with him some day.

[@renatocosta7408]

So glad that i discovered you channel today. Its so interesting :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thanks you so much and welcome aboard! It's been a difficult day so I really needed to hear that today. Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel!

[@Slugcat317]

well this is a lifesaver to my celeste marketing research powerpoint assignment hippity hoppity ur info is now my property

[@conspicuous.8163]

You know, for how much I knew about the story of this game, knowing about HOW it was made was something I kept on the back burner. Wouldn’t you know it, this video shows up on my recommendations, and it’s like a slap in the face for how much I still don’t know. I mean c’mon, they used CSP for all of the 2D art and Blender for the world map?! As if I didn’t have enough inspiration enough. They even used FREAKING STEVEN UNIVERSE to help them with the story?! That was, like, one of the most influential cartoons of the last decade!! It’s like nothing will stop me at this point from looking up to this game and the people who made it.

[@NekoAnthro]

Even though I find this game personally frustrating to play, I really love hearing the journey of the devs and how their game affected their fans so strongly. It’s heartwarming to hear the happy ending with all the ups and downs of game development

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Yup, I think developing Celeste really brought that team together in a whole new way. They seem very close and opening a new studio together was the cherry on top. They're living the dream now!

[@Paroxysm0_0]

Can you please do a video on how the game Rime was made? I finished playing it and it’s so beautiful!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

It’s on my list! It might take a while before I get to it, but I don’t intend on quitting the channel anytime soon so I’m sure I’ll get to it one day ;)

[@xth3us]

amazing documentary, as every time. your content is awesome !

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@xhappyponyxwasmyoldname1395]

Love your videos! This stuff is so cool to learn about

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you like them :D

[@gsestream]

making sure "post made" that all the release versions work, like right-up dash from the tutorial area, does not work in the windows (store) version

[@XiongMa0]

Every climber can dash and double dash fr

[@firewoodloki]

Your videos always bring hopes to my mind.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear that!

[@Ferenc-Racz]

This viedos are very interesting. Nice job / summary. I cheched more of your video. I subscribed! :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated and thank you for subscribing!

[@MillyKKitty]

Knowing they are making Earthblade next wills me with joy. I wonder how they'll do with a metroidvania title

[@nzrkom]

Great video! Thanks for your hard work! ❤️

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, thank you for taking the time to watch it!

[@AFatalTaco]

That short but powerful acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes, not even exaggerating. Love the game. Thanks for the video

[@AxolotlsAreAxolotls]

Why does Theo have a gigachad face shape.

[@costelinha1867]

Because he's the ultimate giga chad from Seatle.

[@algs5483]

2:21 Fun fact: Pedro Medeiros is AKA Saint11

[@smudgedpotato122]

8:57 bruh on the first chapter on my first playthrough, the level before the last one took me ages because i did it the hardest way possible without seing any solutions czu i didnt know that the block around the top would fall so i just went through the bottom

[@intoxu1946]

As usual, great work! I really love your videos, can't wait for the next one!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! I'm working hard on the next one now :D

[@hashtopzer]

nice video man, it's sad that it doesn't have a lot of views...

[@callmetatan]

This video inspired me to play this game and I don't regret it.

[@chrunkly]

why'd you use such an old picture of maddy though

[@marflow8791]

i thought that maybe the video was from before she came out but nope

[@costelinha1867]

I found that weird too, OP uses her new legal name, but uses this old photo of her before the transition.

[@Coriander1988]

Notice the use of "they " referring to maddy he was probably not fully aware of Maddy's gender making this video. It might not have been pointed out until after some portion of editing was done

[@internetguy7319]

notice how the video creator also never mentions that Celeste's story is also a direct allegory for dealing with transness

[@lewis9s]

Maddy = Madeline 🤯

[@RealSnuuy]

A hyperidalized version*

[@costelinha1867]

I mean, I'm pretty sure her full legal name is literally Madeline Stephanie Thorson. Or something like that.

[@kouko6677]

@@RealSnuuy what

[@willietaylor3665]

It definitely won the game jam

[@SurrealBackrooms]

Fun fact: 2:40 She made pigstep for Minecraft.

[@ronlevi8298]

Another great video!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! 🙏

[@a-ramenartist9734]

Lena Raine is so cool

[@zakidz6716]

You re-upload ↗️ and i re-like 👍

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Appreciate it! 🙏

[@jacquesvfd]

@ShitterMan It's age restricted, so I have a sneaking suspicion it's not a secret ending.

[@Hollowdude15]

Celeste is such a cool game and increadible video man :]

[@joosepher9435]

The music in Celeste is amazing

[@alexdacat7052]

Imagine if they ever make a Celeste 2

[@Cuboid-Menace]

They made a sequel to the pico-8 version

[@costelinha1867]

Sadly they already said they have no plans to make a sequel, so the closest you'll get is the Strawberry Jam map pack.

[@sosasees]

I personally think that EXOK made the right decision by making their next game Not a sequel to Celeste. I don't think a Celeste sequel could be made without it feeling inferior and forced.

[@Searching4DMT]

Idk why the story of how this game was made makes me emotional. I have to buy a Nintendo switch Lite again this weekend I miss playing this game.edit I know why this chokes me up, I was playing this game at the height of my depression and moving on from an obsession with someone. The graphics and game play made me feel like a kid again while at the same time confronting my depression with the story

[@ThePaulineu]

Commenting so this video gets more views!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Appreciate the support! :D

[@dascraazy]

why didnt you put maddy thorsons picture for the video, u put matt thorson there

[@jakecomay9138]

I could be wrong but I belive they used the monogame framework which is built upon on the Xna framework that was discontinued by Microsoft in 2014

[@Bnkl21]

Guess we have to watch it again. At least I have something to do for now.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Appreciate the rewatch!

[@elgatoamarillo]

Thank you so much for going out of your way to correct maddy’s pronouns! As a transgender viewer I’m really glad to know that I am welcome in this channel. Keep up the good work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, it's the least I could do!

[@GameOver-yh8ev]

what were the pronouns...I legit did not notice

[@nappeywappey]

Se siente raro encontrar a alguien hispanohablante aquí lol

[@elgatoamarillo]

@@nappeywappey efectivamente Roberto un gusto conocerte xd

[@nappeywappey]

@@elgatoamarillo Igualmente xd

[@rmt3589]

0:29 🎵Go! Go Pico! Go, Go! Go Pico! Yeah!🎵

[@moss5356]

oh why was this re-uploaded good vid btw

[@tonyandzippyvids7734]

They need celeste 2! The mountain strikes back!

[@hardstuck_styx]

They made celeste 2 but it was made in the style of the celeste classic. look it up online it’s free to play

[@maddymaree2684]

well I guess I have to watch this wonderful video again now aha

[@ThatGuyGlen]

I appreciate the rewatch!

[@unknowngamedev7310]

amazing video😄

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you!