How Papers, Please Was Made and The History of The Developer

This Papers, Please documentary details the development of the indie video game Papers, Please and goes behind the scenes of its creation. It also details the history of Lucas Pope’s development career. Discover how solo developer Lucas Pope got the idea for a game about checking people’s documents and how he was able to generate thousands upon thousands of unique travelers all on his own.
The documentary also explores the entire development history of Lucas Pope, all the way from when he started his own development studio in the nineties, to working on the Uncharted series at Naughty Dog. It also details all the design decisions that Lucas made throughout development and how he not only wanted to make a fun game, but also put the player’s moral compass to the test. Lastly, the documentary also takes a brief look at what Lucas did next and what he’s up to currently.
0:00 Intro
0:54 The history of Lucas Pope
14:11 How Papers, Please was made
References:
thatguyglen.fun/video/how-pap...
Outro song: Thank You R.G.E. - Joe Bagale
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#PapersPlease #LucasPope #GameDevelopment

[@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

[@sees484]

Hades.

[@fayezfawzi3255]

Do one about Corpse Party please. It has an incredible history behind it :).

[@johnbenjaminvistan6013]

about the game "VVVVVV" the simple looking gravity flippin' game. I don't know how to spell it.

[@Waligug]

Hades or Enter the Gungeon

[@alexanderwiseman8339]

Bendy and the ink machine

[@notimeforcreativenamesjust3034]

Paper please really makes you *F E E L* like a overworked office employee.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

7 out of 10, too many documents.

[@ceegesange9904]

And the player's mother-in-law never gets sick, just the child and wife.

[@AmericanAppleProd]

I dont want to play that game, because i do that all the time lol

[@accountrandomnumber182]

@@AmericanAppleProd PTSD

[@Elesnouman]

One of the prime example of "a game doesn't have to be fun to be entertaining" For more examples look for pathologic 2

[@tensevo]

Everyone: You could never make a game out of a UI mechanic and such a dull subject. Lucas: Hold my papers.

[@voicetale]

Please?

[@unitedgibberish4479]

@@voicetale lol best joke

[@Tpoleful]

Honestly, I would agree if I hadn't played Papers Please.

[@jacaredosvudu1638]

The date is expired *Detention*

[@HappyGick]

Missed opportunity: "Hold my papers, please."

[@dan_obie]

Had a chance to talk with Lucas a few years ago when I found out that he used some of my CC licensed sounds for the Papers Please ui. Really chill guy. He was kind enough to send a list of all the instances in the game in which my work was used.

[@oxob3333]

wow that's so cool bro, really cool

[@ViciVidiVeni]

Thats really cool

[@GBudgiePH123]

That so cool, Mister!

[@cynicaldweller4925]

Thats actually really cool

[@BLANKONTOP]

Damn, that's pretty cool ngl

[@faizaliqbal2284]

This game made me feel like an actual responsibility. There's never a dull moment in this game. Great video as always Glen!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Totally agree! You really feel responsible for the fate of all the travelers. And thank you, glad you liked it!

[@auhsojacosta1672]

That moment when that guy put a bomb in the room

[@roxout5743]

I personally don't play this game seriously lmao

[@thz6853]

It's great the game gives you a taste of working life with extra fun put in, but then real life may not have that fun, perhaps like the endless mode

[@jkholtgreve]

If they wanted to simulate actual government work 60% of the game would be chatting with your fellow workers and 30% would be breaks.

[@vaezax9527]

This game did something special. Definetly one of my favorite games.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Same here!

[@isakayyik966]

Yes, it proves not all games have to be about fighting (not in anti violent game wise, gameplay wise)

[@sugarkane1571]

It does so well at everything that makes a game good, and then some more. Me and my friends love playing this game since everyone can participate in this single player game.

[@Kwad_rat]

Return of the Obra Dinn was also incredible.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

The most disappointing thing about it was at some point you complete it. and then you can never play it again. where are all the other murder mystery games at? similar mechanics, maybe more conventional / easier to develop graphics? I WANT TO CROSS-REFERENCE LISTS AND DIAGRAMS AND MAKE DEDUCTIONS

[@jonnyeh]

He should frankly just make another one of those.

[@mynewaccount2604]

How in the hell did he make that game all on his own?

[@frostcop6693]

@@mynewaccount2604 I mean, he certainly needed help to voice the characters :P But fr, the game is a fucking gem

[@bbbbbbb51]

@@RoamingAdhocrat sounds like you need to play Outer Wilds. Games centered around uncovering a mystery leave a lasting mark when they're well done

[@siliconvalleygirl6595]

Man, what a great deep dive! I only found out about papers please last year because of Jacksepticeye’s series, and the return of the obra dinn was so much fun to play. It blows my mind that someone can make two masterpieces like that. Indie game idea: “there is no game: wrong dimension”!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked it! And that game is on my list ;)

[@Fanimati0n]

Programming, drawing, piano, drums, construction, mechanics, this guy just does everything huh?

[@Ahrimane]

I love this game and “empathy” games are totally fun. The first one of that type I played was Oregon Trail, and Papers, Please gave me a lot the same feelings.

[@plantsim]

This War of Mine, too. The feedback I got when I went to play it max/min was astounding.

[@Realunmaker]

This video deserves so much more views. It was entertaining and very enlightening. I didn't know Pope had a career before papers, please. Loved the game.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked the video!

[@Crosshill]

i dont know what exactly it is about the ability to shift papers around on your desk, those little idle moments in between where you're stacking papers and checking out trinkets, rearranging your wall decor and maybe checking the newspaper again, thats full immersion

[@jazzwell]

Woah I saw this in my reccomended, uploaded 3 minutes ago. That's rare lol. I love this game, excited to watch this video!

[@rubysu9265]

Tysm for the english captions! my hearing is pretty inconsistent, sometimes I can hear just fine and other times they ring nonstop and I can't hear a thing, I hope more youtubers understand the importance of subtitles!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure! I’ve received similar comments before so I always take extra care that there’s subtitles the moment I publish a video. I want everyone to be able to enjoy my videos.

[@skaruts]

When this game came out I thought I was gonna grow roots in my room. I just couldn't stop playing it lol. It's actually really satisfying.

[@chloeson382]

Got to meet Lucas Pope at a GDC a few years ago-- one of the nicest devs and was always talking to new devs and giving advice :')

[@colibri224]

It's interesting to see the journey of the developement for a video game.

[@nbarragan12]

Dude, I love how you adapt your videos to the game aesthetics you are talking about. Great production!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! I’m glad people appreciate it because a lot of work goes towards that aspect :D

[@nbarragan12]

@@ThatGuyGlen I imagine it must be really hard work. But it looks gorgeous! Well done 😁

[@voodooaudio9488]

Not only was this game compelling to play, it had a surprising emotional impact as one progressed deeper into story, consequences of their choice and the inevitable paranoia buildup. Bringing in the love interest of a fellow border officer in one of the scenarios and the subsequent development was a truly grueling experience for me.

[@kitisgr8]

You should do wandersong! I know its a tiny indie game but its so good!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

That one is definitely on my list! I haven’t played it myself yet, but I really like the look of that game.

[@sanecrimson3784]

I do have a suggestion of one of my favorite indie games, Oxygen Not Included. Though I'm not too sure if there is a whole lot to go over I am very interested in knowing how the game developed overtime and maybe how the developers started. Amazing videos as always!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, glad you liked it! And thank you for he suggestion! Haven’t heard about that game yet, but I’ll look into it. Sounds interesting!

[@John-yr1ww]

Seconding oxygen not included! Great game

[@WanderTheNomad]

@@ThatGuyGlen From the same developers as Don't Starve

[@chrisverhagen9293]

Man, I asked 1 monthe earlier to make a video about this game and here we are with a super well made video. Thx man!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you liked it! It’s been requested quite a bit and it’s also a personal favorite of mine so it was high on my list :D

[@vapidfox]

Glen, you write and edit your videos so damn good. I'm surprised you haven't gotten to 1M subs already! The quality of your videos are impeccable. Great work!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you so much! I just hope I can hit 100k subs one day, 1 million is a number my brain can’t even comprehend :P

[@generalgk]

well*

[@AlexandeRSciswoR]

Wow, this is so awesome! Papers, please it's such a classic and masterpiece.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you liked it!

[@tensevo]

Take home message: Never underestimate the power of tools and tooling.

[@SkatKat]

I loooooved gearhead garage. I don't even know how I ended up owning or playing it. It's so great to know the same people from papers, please were behind that.

[@Fraslz]

I love how this game gave me a sense of responsibility of protecting the borders and guilt for cooperating with anonymous org. trying to make their way inside, also the game design itself gives a great sense of the era with the green pixel-art like its an old game type of feeling, i love it and still wish there's a console or an android ver. Just like the iPad. Also great video and sorry for grammatical mistake

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you and no worries! I completely agree with you, the moral dilemmas in the game are awesome.

[@Waligug]

Yes!! I've been waiting for this for so long!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Hope it was worth the wait :D

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

Ten minutes in and I've subbed. The script is great, but also I appreciate the Papers, Please animations you've done the whole thing in. Very nice work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Welcome aboard! Glad you liked it :D And thank you for subscribing!

[@Holgast]

Longtime hardcore fan of Papers, Please here. Great mini documentary you've made, I learnt a lot about dukope and the game's development. Still haven't gotten around to playing Obra Dinn yet, though.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, glad you liked it! And same! Still need to pick it up on my Switch someday.

[@pablochamber411]

After playing the return of The Obra Dinn I felt extremely inspired and listened to every interview I could find of Lucas Pope. His an idol to me, and I hope some day get to make games like his.

[@iRaphahell]

I replay this game every couple of years, it's very fun, my question is though, why hasn't he released a sequel? I think he could've made us relive those moments with a new game. I am sure he thought about it but who know why he didn't do it.

[@Fancy-8380]

Te-am găsit :)

[@balazsdemcsak5391]

He probably has a different mindset. I feel like shaping new ideas and realising them is more important for him. Creating a sequel for fan service or the sake of money is probably boring for him. What matters is not just to have fun and do more of the same, but to discover and show different feelings, interactions, experiences. At least thats what I take away from his games.

[@sugarkane1571]

@@balazsdemcsak5391 I also feel like there really is no standard way of making an “improved” sequel without removing some of the game’s charm, while making a direct copy would disappoint fans for having basically the same experience. I think some kind of DLC might work, but it’s more likely that any attempted improvements with a sequel would just bring disappointment, like Party Hard 2.

[@balazsdemcsak5391]

@@sugarkane1571 Maybe. My point of view is that this game is not like a regular game. It’s not meant to entertain and keep you in. It’s artistic, because it has a narrative and mechanics that let you discover what its all about. If anything was added to extend the playtime or to serve the need for an enjoyable experience it would hinder the “vibe”. A DLC or sequel would only work if it could bring the same shock, as realising how little or large choices a soviet state border guard has. If you are sitting in front of the computer to become the best passport stamper champion you are missing out on something. Which is fine, i guess, but its also nice to have this transformative experience there for contrast.

[@party4keeps28]

Check out Return of the Obra Dinn. Awesome game he also made.

[@bjornroesbeke]

This game made me feel like the world around me didn't exist anymore. I'm in a tiny dark booth checking documents. The intro music, the logo, the gameplay, the lack of music during the game, the storyline, the art style, the difficulty, the uncertainty,... It's a great game!

[@wench3767]

This brought back some nostalgia I didn’t think I’d have! I used to play gearhead garage along side sims tower in one of my old middle school classes. I remembered how it worked but for the life of me couldn’t remember the name until this video. Thank you so much for reminding me!!

[@jencan1]

Fun Fact of the day: If you google Morshu he comes up as a music artist

[@subcount_zer0]

5:48 it’s interesting how in the little picture, you can see something similar to papers please’s portrait generation, with some of the photos looking like something you would see in papers please

[@WidmerNoel]

Great documentary Glen! I really appreciate the time you've put into this. The amount of detail and history you uncovered is really inspiring. Looking forward to watch more of your videos.

[@HardCandy01]

Thank you for making this when odd started to play this 2 weeks ago I was reminded by it and I looked for in depth reviews or something for it. Didn't find any. So thanks, I enjoyed knowing history of a game I like. I can't wait to see what Lucas makes next.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure! I noticed the same thing so I decided to make the video myself :D

[@patikasg4297]

I am really amazed of they way you bring to the light the stories of this indie games.Keep up with the good work!!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, will do!

[@aliyabolt8611]

This was an awesome video, I've been binging all of these episodes.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you like them!

[@AnasMations]

It's amazing how a game like that hold an inspiring story behind it's creation

[@firebird6000]

Missed this initially since I was moving into college, but glad I caught this! Another stellar video with great editing!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated! And good luck at college!

[@firebird6000]

Thank you!

[@junkokonno]

FireBird

[@samanthamansfield6693]

Wow! Fascinating. I love watching your documentaries. Thank you!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you like the videos!

[@loowlsshadow8536]

The level of editing and the amount of effort that went in making this video...

[@MrZombiefrank]

High quality video again. Great work Glen.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@rajaz001]

Very interesting as always! Love your work 🥰

[@ziebelzubel]

Another incredibly well made video, Glen! I'm already looking forward to the next one. :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you so much! And I can't wait to share my next video :D

[@Karsten1]

Watched it Yesterday, great Video. You are an asset for the gamedev Community, keep up the good Work 👍

[@The-Wock]

Can’t wait to watch this later on tonight keep up the great work glen

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated and will definitely do!

[@d3ltazer0judgement]

Your content is so good, i've just watched 3 videos in a row

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thanks, glad to hear you like it!

[@geri4367]

This is phenomenal. Thanks for making these :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you liked it!

[@foreducation408]

You are an awesome man with awesome content, love your channel recently found out about it and love your way of telling a game development story thanks for making these

[@gamernick1533]

Obra Dinn was a stroke of genius in my mind and I really wish that if Lucas isn't going to do anything more with it that he perhaps just licenses the idea to another developer to continue to make other scenarios. Releasing one every year or two would be enough. The theme and format is just awesome, a true detective style game that makes you feel incredibly smart and stupid all at the same time and it also reflects Lucas' point about being able to step away from something and tackle something else. If you're really struggling with one part (which you will) then you can tackle something else. Pure genius.

[@lordsgate7774]

This video smell so much time spent on it... I loved this video, and subscribed to your channel. keep it up, really really awesome work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated and thank you so much for subscribing! It takes me about a month the finish a video, but rest assured, they will keep coming ;)

[@sydneykeating65]

Such an awesome video! Makes my day whenever you upload.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! Comments like yours make my day :D

[@boondocksripoff2237]

just discovered this channel today ,definitely subbing

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Welcome aboard and thanks for subscribing!

[@jg-7780]

Idk if I’m in the minority, but I actually find the task of sitting through papers and finding discrepancies actually pretty fun gameplay on its own

[@nattan5015]

Man awesome, your videos.

[@elgatoamarillo]

Amazing video as always, I love your channel so much!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you so much, glad you liked the video!

[@huntergiauque9844]

Love the video a ton. Especially how you explained the game itself well for someone like me who hasn't played it before. Could you do a vid on the Tony Hawk or Skate series. There older games unless you do the new TH remake but it would be really cool to learn more on how they were made. Keep it up. Can't wait to see what you do next

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, glad you liked it! I mainly focus on indie games, but maybe some day I'll have the time and recourses to cover more retro and AAA titles. It's definitely on my list and I loved playing the old Tony Hawk games myself :D

[@abandoned__]

Hell yeah! Another upload, another good day.

[@desdearb]

I saw this game back in 8th grade in a game cafe and I instantly fell in love at first sight on the game

[@gaeloni7775]

1:43 skip that seconds, for ur good health

[@tobiasrud]

Great video about a great game! Thoroughly enjoyed it

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you!

[@aragogire]

Another great video. You deserve way more views and subs.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@srshk257]

Love your videos bro. Keep them coming!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you like them and will do!

[@SaadTheGlad]

I love this game, I'm so glad you made this!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

It’s a personal favorite of mine so it was high on my list ;)

[@tomasbarralaudiovisual]

amazing video, thank you for your content

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you liked it!

[@lewc7389]

deserves more views tbh very good video

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@lim10dev]

Perfect edit, you are underrated af.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@CelticGuardian7]

Your videos always impress me. This one in particular stood out to me since I knew so little about this developer. I was shocked at how much he's done, and I actually didn't know he was behind Return of the Obra Dinn, which has now gone from my "want to play" list to "want to play even more" list. XD Thanks for the very detailed look on a brilliant creator and awesome game! Perhaps my favorite indie game is one known as The Cat Lady. Its developer has also done Downfall and Lorelai. I would love to see a video on that!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, I'm happy to hear you like the videos! That shocked me too, before making this video I didn't know he did everything himself, including the soundtrack. Boggles my mind how talented these indie developers are. And thank you for the suggestion, looks like one messed up game! I'll look into it.

[@CelticGuardian7]

@@ThatGuyGlen Yeah, as someone who wants to make games myself (visual novels to be exact) I really look up to people with all of these talents. All I can imagine doing is the writing. The programming, music, art, all of that being done by one person is such an impressive tale. The Cat Lady definitely has an M rating for a reason, but it is an extremely good look at depression. The developer apparently got a lot of inspiration from working at a hospital and tackles subjects like depression, anorexia, and cancer throughout his games. That's one of the major reasons that I found these games so good, especially since I have depression and thought The Cat Lady was an amazing portrayal of it. Anyhow, rambling a bit, so I'll conclude by saying I look forward to your future videos regardless of what you cover! =D

[@AQGamedev]

Awesome video and loving this series! A how it was made on Environmental Station Alpha or Baba is You would be pretty cool.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad you're enjoying it, more videos are coming! Baby is You has been on my list for a while, but I hadn't heard about Environmental Station Alpha yet. I'll look into that one, thanks for the suggestion!

[@iphatbass]

OMG I LOVE THIS GAME! Thanks for the video! Keep up with good work!!!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure and will do!

[@Grapegrape42]

You make amazing videos, keep it up!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you very much, will do!

[@rootwayder77]

Man i was waiting for this :)

[@thedog827]

Awesome video, I really apreciate more those games now I know how was developed, Grande Lucas Pope.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@blankadams3120]

That last quote from Lucas smacks of Hayao Miyazaki saying "Okay, this is my last movie, then I'm retiring" every single movie he releases.

[@louitdev5540]

you content is amazing!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you enjoy it!

[@xuelongmu7265]

Amazing work as always!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@vb2995]

So many good memories around this game as well

[@theslashbro4474]

Amazing video!

[@zaidlacksalastname4905]

Great work, as usual

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you!

[@dumpsterDeity]

Thank you for the video! I love Papers, Please

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you liked the video!

[@jensspanoghe7386]

Such an amazing video man 👍😉

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thanks man! :D

[@levelzero8445]

Hey, great video as always! Always interesting to hear more about the most talented people in the industry. And Pope sure is a brilliant guy! Now, a recommendation. I would love if you could make a video about Rain World. For how amazing the game is, there is literally no coverage of it anywhere, except from one GDC video on the animations and a handful of articles on sites like Gamasutra. The rest are just reviews. I don't know if many people would be interested, but I most definitely would love to see a longer form documentary of it! Either way, keep up the good work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked it! Hadn't heard about that game yet, but it looks super cool! Definitely going to get it on my Switch and the development story seems really interesting as well. I'm covering some other games first, but Rain World has a spot on my list now ;) Thank you for the suggestion!

[@levelzero8445]

@@ThatGuyGlen Thank YOU for your great content! I hope Rain World won't crush your willpower too hard now and make you change your mind ahah Glad I could spread it around anyway

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, I have a blast making these videos and I love the community that’s forming around the channel! It definitely seems like a game I could get lost in :D But no worries, nothing can stop me from making videos! ;)

[@emperador9999]

you are pro bro :)) amazing video gj!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you!

[@iwikal]

It cracked me up when I saw the uncanny resemblance between Lucas Pope and the captain in Obra Dinn

[@filurenerik1643]

Really great video! I think you're better than video game story time. Also I really gotta play Papers please and Obra dinn...

[@GeoGaming0]

Wow! Amazing vid!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@GeoGaming0]

@@ThatGuyGlen How can you manage to look through every comment you are insane dude

[@JoCaTen]

This game is fun, as someone who likes thinking and puzzles in a way. This is perfect!

[@androsh9039]

Great video.

[@vicentevasquezb]

Your video encouraged me to buy this game, thanks! I just did it xD

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@TamTroll]

14:43 is when the video actually starts talking about Papers please.

[@kei-c]

nice, but not needed!

[@sekh765]

You sound so similar to the Binkov's Battleground guy its spooky. Also excellent vid!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! And that's a new one haha, usually it's Seth Everman :P

[@ColonelZade]

I was at the GDC when lucas' game was awarded many awards that night! Games are Art.

[@milkywayprince_]

Ah another 30 mins of great content

[@notmeprobably_]

Lucas Pope is an awesome developer, and his next game Return of the Obra Dinn was imo even more groundbreaking than Papers Please. So excited to see what he does next.

[@aludrakijurorin]

Baba is You would be a great one to see. I can only imagine that the development would melt my brain just as much as the game itself.

[@Pharaun2009]

Awesome video! I always wanted to know the background / origin of this game.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you!

[@Edd6789]

I swear this video was generated by the simulation the day after i played papers please again for the first time, this keeps happening.