How One Programmer Created Gaming's Most Complex Ecosystem

[@ThatGuyGlen]

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[@mr_sauce_cooks]

Is there an offline version because im interested

[@tacospin_]

please make a spelunky 2 video

[@sirbootylord6880]

I'll check this out

[@TheChromePoet]

Do you think the complex characters in rain world could be created with Chatgpt?

[@tacospin_]

@@TheChromePoet nuh uh

[@kron7536]

He didn't want to make a hard game, he wanted to make a game that simulated an ecosystem that your character is at the botton of, he just forgot that life is hard when you're at the botton of the food chain.

[@fcdmfddcfy2388]

i can attest to this

[@wanghongwu2604]

Deep

[@leewilson3839]

Also game reviewers are literally dog shit at games

[@greenberrygk]

“Botton”

[@tacopizzasandwich621]

Him when thinking of the concept: “What if you played as an ant?”

[@Envoiden]

THIS is the purest definition of a passion project. You don't just go, "I think people will like this" and run from there. You stare at - sink years into - a visual/mechanical art project and do not stray from what you know you love, if you know it is what you want. Just looking at the 8-12 layers of combat music design, depending on proximity and threat level, is an argument in itself. When they could have finished something, they continued to add more because they WANTED to. They didn't think, "That'll do!" - they thought, "What ELSE is there to do?" That is why AAA games underwhelm the populace on a highly frequent basis, and why games like this tend to supersede the standard; a lot of them make games for money; teams like this aim for self-actualization.

[@UnderAvg]

I love the fact that the modding team was just contacted by the developers and everything they created became incorporated into the main game.

[@lunactiathemoth]

tboi repentance moment

[@michaelcherokee8906]

Really would be nice if more dev teams did that. Like a certain team whose name starts with M and ends with ojang.

[@kibetk2223]

@@michaelcherokee8906 fr where's my aether portal

[@michaelcherokee8906]

​@@kibetk2223 Forget your Aether! Why cant I hold shift and click and drag and just have everything I drag over get clicked?

[@strangeduckling]

​@@michaelcherokee8906 or Bethesda or EA...

[@MetricGuard]

The fact that Rain World was programmed by just one guy is unfathomably impressive; the creature AI especially puts even the AI found in multi-million dollar efforts made by hundreds to shame. There's this one development story that James told in a comment on the Steam forums that vividly illustrates just how well-programmed the AI of Rain World is. The devs tested to see what would happen when they break the limbs of a White Lizard to make sure it chooses to avoid climbing walls in an impaired state. They were then shocked to see that, with all its limbs broken, it began PULLING ITSELF ALONG WITH ITS TONGUE. "It was SPOOKY AF", James said. As a game that's completely unshackled from the expectations of both a narrow-minded mainstream audience and an avaricious publisher, Rain World likely won't reach the level of success it deserves. Regardless, I really do hope more people-game developers in particular-become aware of Rain World and what it does. The key to soaring to greater heights is knowing where the peak is. Anyway, great video. I'm no expert when it comes to the development history of the actual best game of 2017, so it's nice to have the key details condensed into a 28-minute video.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, glad you liked it! Their devlog is also filled with lots of crazy stories and details, way too much to condense in a single video so I highly recommend to check out the devlog if you want to know more!

[@siliconhawk]

shit I would be spooked as well, that thing really is alive in its own right.

[@PickledPeterPicksPrettyPickles]

Man, Lizards truly will always hunt slugcats no matter what

[@memeyartist5591]

:o i wonder if that was one of the inspirations for strawberry lizards in Downpour!

[@titanium4082]

That's harrowing. So how much to buy it?

[@spiritwicc3953]

Rain World deserves all the praise it gets, from its very conception its always been different, there's truly nothing even close to it. With the release of Downpour the game practically tripled in size, for cheaper than you can buy the base game, it almost feels criminal how much game you're getting

[@ruffus_da_foxo]

I haven't even played downpour, but I'm just impressed how the OST for just Downpour is LONGER than the original soundtrack

[@Danuxsy]

"Generative Agents: Interactive Simulacra of Human Behavior" (7th April, 2023) is far more complex than anything that exist today.

[@d4s0n282]

@@ruffus_da_foxo I Really need to try to play it again, I kinda stopped cus it was sucked dying and dying over again, but I really love the idea and such of the game

[@mishagaming1075]

@@d4s0n282 You will actually die way less now, sure, there MAY be some situations where you die a lot, but they're way less common now!

[@GeneraluStelaru]

@@mishagaming1075 Die less? Why?

[@benox50]

From the art to the tech, Rain World is one if not the biggest indie achievement, an immersive and challenging journey I will never forget

[@nic37ry]

Project Zomboid is another one

[@monosodium-glutamate]

Rain World is and always will be one of my favourite games for all reasons a game can be loved. Seeing this all start from one guy over the course of so many years is so inspiring, and fascinating.

[@misterbeach8826]

it is okay but, please, the game itself and such eco systems are... rather simple? such simple so-called love&hate frameworks exist even for free. but i guess, this happens when you like a game and listen to a noob youtube channel with no experience in game design or game dev, or system design for that matter.

[@monosodium-glutamate]

@@misterbeach8826 okay.

[@1Kapachow1]

Any other unique games you especially like?

[@hollowknightenjoyer]

​@@misterbeach8826 wdym

[@shampoo2370]

​@@misterbeach8826who hurt you?

[@CableSpark872]

I love to see this game getting attention. I played it when it came out, pirated, I was a kid and my parents didn't want to buy me games, so I could only do that. I was stuck inside of Outskirts for almost two weeks. Still loved the game and perfectly understood its intention of not spoonfeeding the player with info and tutorials, so I didn't look a walkthrough and just enjoyed investigating the region and the creatures' behaviours, trying to understand them by my own. Then things happened and I lost my pc, months later I got it back, but I had to reboot it, I'm not american and at the time i didn't know much english, so I couldn't remember the name of the game. Then, years later, around 2021, I saw it while scrolling through steam, I bought it and had one of the most magical experiences I've ever had with a videogame. I'm playing Downpour rn, and it's the same feeling again. This tiny world inside of my computer is really special to me, and even though I like a couple games even more, I think that, objectively, Rain World is one of the best games ever made, and it has the best worldbuilding from any other piece of media that, at least I, have ever consumed.

[@elisnider8191]

thats like a disney movie... for games

[@vaakdemandante8772]

the AI engine in this game could be a whole separate product on its own, simply astonishing

[@earflapphat]

Rain World is truly one of a kind. The game perfectly makes you feel that you are just any other creature trying to survive the harsh environment, and get to a shelter before the rain comes. It makes the game frustrating, unfair, flawed, and I’m all for it. Since the creature spawns change every cycle, it keeps the game fresh every time you leave a shelter, because you’ll never know what danger could lead around every corner. Great video!

[@raghuvaidya5485]

Rain world has always been such a fascinating world to explore and to think it all came from the mind of a single guy ,wow!

[@The8merp]

Well it was started by a single guy, but going through this video makes it clear that the final product is the combined vision of multiple devs, both as part of the Videocult team and the forum members who gave their feedback and helped create the mods. It's almost like the entire game evolved over time, like in a game development ecosystem, kinda neat parallel to the concept of the game itself

[@ImJerri]

​@@The8merp Bravo, vince

[@Roughneck7712]

Did you and I watch the same video? The video I watched clearly explained that this game had a relatively large indie team responsible for getting it to the finish line

[@loggersviii1228]

@@Roughneck7712 “relatively large indie team” 3-4 people at most lol

[@loggersviii1228]

@@The8merp it was definitely more than just joar, but the modding isn’t nearly as impressive as actually making the thing that was modded. Joar is definitely the only person so far who has shown himself to be capable of making unique ecosystems and interesting creatures. Not that downpour and similar things aren’t good, but it would be a bit silly to group them in with Joar in terms of creating the game

[@Sinnamonsters]

Hi, I'm a speedrunner for this game! This video was absolutely fantastic, and summarized the development of Rain World really well, especially without having spoiled anything about the game. It's always amazing to see creators making videos and showcasing this game, as it's been my all time favourite for quite some time now. It's unfortunate that it's stayed so niche for so long, but that just makes seeing content of the game so much better, thank you very much for making this video!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it! I was very careful not to spoil anything story related since it's such a cool experience. I've received a lot of comments lately to cover Rain World so it's definitely becoming more mainstream, deservedly so!

[@themurderofcoke]

I would argue it's best kept small - look at every game that got big. Passion dies with investment.

[@ciscornBIG]

There are no niche games anymore except for ones that aren't selling. Rainworld was hardly a niche game then and it definitely isn't now. Curious take.

[@Sinnamonsters]

@@ciscornBIG it certainly isnt the most niche game ever or anything but i definitely wouldnt call it "hardly niche"

[@felixramirez4402]

If your being on KZbin watching a video about a certain game you want to play just don't do it. Its your own fault if you get spoiled, and see or read a comment which again you can prevent by not scrolling through. Practice some discipline man and this goes for anyone that it applies to.

[@captaincuttlefish]

I always wanted to know more in-depth on the process behind rain world, and now I can learn more! Excited to watch!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Lots of people commented to cover this one so you’re not alone ;)

[@thingsinhouseb]

love to see this masterpiece getting the attention it deserves.

[@CeizoBro]

I bought the game in 2018, Downpour has truly grown the fanbase exponentially

[@tamkish]

Akapura getting the game from Adult Swim Games and doing it justice with all the new marketing is really cool. Rain World now receives all the attention it deserves and I'm all here for it.

[@ledumpsterfire6474]

What a surprise, game journalists rate another game poorly because they suck at games, which risks burying a game that people might've loved simply because they're unqualified and incompetent in their job. Glad it didn't pan out that way on this one. RIP Alien: Isolation 2

[@Disorder2312]

These critics seriously need to be fired from their jobs if they haven't been already. I can smell the skill issue and prejudice so much from their reviews.

[@ledumpsterfire6474]

@@Disorder2312 They haven't, sadly. Or at least most of them. The guy who wrote the Alien: Isolation review for IGN is still going strong as ever. Hope they at least learned to keep their people in their own fucking lanes, and not have any more, for instance and per my example, CoD fanboys doing survival horror.

[@ledumpsterfire6474]

@@thisspaceforrent5737 The frustrating thing is that it could be pretty well solved by specialization. Have one guy who does Metroidvanias like Rainworld, another who does competitive fps games, etc. Obviously you'd need to find people who are competent in multiple when it comes to some genres, because there aren't very many releases in some genres so there wouldn't be a ton of work available for them to cover, but all in all it would be a better system than just tossing anybody on whatever happens to come up.

[@unliving_ball_of_gas]

@@ledumpsterfire6474 Actually the same idea I had to solve movie reviews. Have sci-fi fans review sci-fi movies, romance for romance, and stop letting WW2 geeks review Avengers..

[@i.r.4378]

​@@ledumpsterfire6474they honestly should show their playthrough and review. And be transparant about things like time played, progress made in games etc.

[@TheCrayzeerayquaza]

Rain world was the first game in a long time to really draw my attention and get me truly invested, wanting to overcome the challenges and learn more about the hidden lore and complex mechanics.

[@bogged810]

Wow, I had literally just picked this game up a couple months ago, played it non stop since then and beat all the slugs campaigns. Seriously one of the best games ever made no exaggeration

[@noiJadisCailleach]

Rain world has always been the kind of game i've always wanted to play. Where a players' character is just another part of that world.

[@unknownself-kenshi]

Although Rain World is much more complex than Kenshi, Kenshi is another type of world where you exist - if you can.

[@Northflowo]

I can completely understand scrapping the pups from the original game :D I have 200 hours in this game and I still struggle to keep those brats alive

[@Chronically_ChiII]

Damn, replayability is this good?

[@Northflowo]

@@Chronically_ChiII YES! + the dlc added more content than there is in the base game in total - it came out in January and I'mnot quite done with all of it yet (very close though!)

[@MarcelineIsADumie]

Omg it’s you

[@memeyartist5591]

@@Chronically_ChiII the replayability is insane, especially when you have mods. I've been playing since 2020 and I have around 630 hours in it!!! Downpour just makes it even better :>

[@mirellabarros8430]

Hello! Do you think this is a game a beginner could play? The youtube mentioned some easier versions of the game but I'm not sure it would still be a fit for someone who is only started to play games very recently. I'm not a big gamer but it just looks so so cool!!! I'm just a little scared it would be too hard for me and I would lose interest.

[@ejmc6378]

Rain world was one of the most profound gaming experiences I've ever had, and this video just makes me appreciate it even more.

[@matthewfronda3067]

Hello, can I play rain world on my phone?

[@elisnider8191]

@@matthewfronda3067 nah, you gotta buy it on PC, xbox, play station, or nintendo switch

[@MM-jf1me]

​@@elisnider8191 It makes sense as this game sounds like it needs a lot of processing power, but it's still a shame for people like me who only play mobile games. Sounds like a very interesting game.

[@docmarion8902]

Profound is a great word to describe it. Discovering it completely changed my views on how well made games can be. No other game until now made me feel so much like Rain World…

[@Charmlie.R]

I adore rain world, its unique strengths are not just rare to see, they are incredible. Ive seen loads of reviews, video essays, incredible lore analysis videos, but i havent seen something detail the technical and developmental side of things. I know a lot about rain world haha, but I was able to learn tons of new things about the buildup to my favorite game. Thanks for making this, it was a joy to watch through :)

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, I had a blast making it! It was a bit of a surprise when I couldn't find a similar video when I started making it, it's such an interesting development story to cover!

[@mildlymarvelous]

And I thought Hollow Knight coming from two or three people was incredible! I can’t believe this beautiful game came from the mind of one person. It’s so fascinating to watch it evolve into the Rain World we know and love today. Edit: shoutout to commenter Ostolero for coining the term slug cats!!!!

[@bignosh]

hearing all of the revolutionary stuff that rain world has done and will likely continue to do is so interesting, I didn’t even know many of these things existed and were so extensive and well put together shocks me, rain world is one of the most revolutionary 2D platformers to ever release this decade

[@EM-ES]

Great video. I don't remember where I picked this up, but I thought that James did all the level desing, lore and music. My man Jacob needs more appreciation. But James making a simpler version of the whole game soundtrack in a few hours still blows my mind. It's insane what a few people with passion and patience can create.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you! The soundtrack was actually made by James and Lydia, not just James. I mention in the video he also did level design and more business related things, but did not go into much detail. There is a whole part dedicated to just the audio though.

[@EM-ES]

I'm always forgetting someone 😅. I watched the whole thing, no worries 😂

[@hamzafasih]

I'm absolutely loving the art style of this game! 😍 And as always, Glen, you've done a killer job with the presentation of the video! 🔥

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, Hamza!

[@kalebgray1050]

Rain world is one of the most frustrating games I've ever played. It's a masterpiece.

[@neilobaoill6337]

Rain World is a fascinating game honestly (although brutal haha) , and the artsyle by jar Jakobson really just brings it all together , its nice to learn about the making of the game :D and backstory of the artist !!

[@qgdm6426]

A few days ago, I was thinking of games I really wanted you to create a video about game development. I'm so glad you checked out the best one of them. Gotta get Rain World soon.

[@lakewaltz]

Thanks so much for making this video I cannot express how much I love this game and to see you praise it like this is absolutely amazing thanks again man

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, it’s an amazing achievement!

[@Virtualblueart]

Rainworld is something I havent really encountered in other games. The randomness engendered by the various rules the creatures follow interacting both makes the game hard and fascinating. And often kind of spooky as you observe the interactions. I saw a fight between different styles of lizard over a dead scavenger, only for them all to freak out as a vulture appeared and running off in terror.

[@Virtualblueart]

P.s. it's always funny to see the "jet" lizards exploding themselves into an oblivion pit when startled.

[@growthisfreedomunitedearth7584]

It only got bad reviews because some humans believe they are entitled to survival. You are not entitled to survival. this sounds like the best game I've ever heard of. Big fan of "the web".

[@manhwadude7981]

A really inspiration journey for all indie developers , seeing how this game was started by just one developer really convinced me to buy the game

[@Insanity5163]

I'm so glad this game is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Rain World really is one of those unique experiences that could come from someone with a vision and a lack of creative interference.

[@eleone8]

Given the praise soulslike games get, I won't forgive how many negative reviews this game got for being "hard".

[@dr7226]

entirely different

[@clarkpike2492]

​@@dr7226 Not entirely. Simplicity of mechanics are a core mechanic of Soulslike games, just as it is in Rainworld. Creates the sense of "difficulty" where you must make do with what you have.

[@squibster81]

Only reason it got bad reviews is because rain world is an indie game. The fact is that journalists have to play so many games that they don’t care as much about indie games, so they won’t put the time they need to put into this game. The fact is that they probably barely even got past the first area before writing the reviews. The other thing to keep in mind is that zelda breath of the wild and the nintendo switch had come out just around the same time as rain world.

[@dr7226]

@@squibster81 this is just wrong indie games have never been more popular and loved

[@dr7226]

@@clarkpike2492 thats true, but unlike the souls games rainworld has infinite layers of complexity under its simple gameplay that can be a very large hurdle to get over for a new player

[@straight-up479]

Rain world development video = instant sub, this game deserves so much attention

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you for subscribing!

[@straight-up479]

@@ThatGuyGlen your vids are so well-researched and structured in such an engaging way, I had to!

[@Wonky2]

I love all the positive attention this game has been getting lately, it deserves all of it

[@GamerReality]

What a great story, I really soaked in the story. It's also very inspiring to me as a game developer with small ambitious ideas that can build upon themselves, and I plan to make KZbin devlogs about it.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear it inspired you and good luck with your game dev journey!

[@Shayzis]

I have never heard of that game before, and I gotta say, I'm ashamed of myself, this is absolutely beautiful

[@ThatGuyGlen]

You’re definitely not the only one! It’s a bit more obscure I would say, although it seems it’s gotten more popular recently thanks to Downpour.

[@hiphyro]

Thank you for making a video on this game, it’s one of the best things ever made

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, had a blast making it!

[@solthas]

I just got into Rain World, and I have fallen so deeply in love with it. I wish the dev log's pictures were archived somewhere though.

[@brett84c]

Never heard of this game before but I need to check it out now. Thanks for bringing new people to this game. Looks so ground-breaking.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure!

[@eclipseslayer98]

It's always good to remember that whenever you think that something just came out of nowhere, you're only seeing less than 1% of what it took to actually make it.

[@rebeccahicks2392]

Possibly the best game I've played. Hearing that it was mostly the creation of one person working one hour a day in between his college classes is mind-blowing.

[@colinmiller513]

Between this video and your dwarf fortress one, I'm so eager to see what you make next. Well done on stellar video essays!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated! Working on the next one as I type this. It's going to cover something completely different than Dwarf Fortress and Rain World and probably not something people will expect.

[@cowl6867]

It's funny how the critics were angry and whining how difficult the game is. When in reality it's the closest thing we have to living a real forest without civilization

[@ze.ke811]

This was a great video, and great story! Rain world helped me go through some things, so finding out more about the process of making Rain World means a lot!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video! Though it can be very frustrating, it’s also quite a tranquil experience at times.

[@sakarain]

I can’t imagine how strenuous and difficult it was designing, debugging and tuning the creatures behaviors. It sounds really cool. Definitely gonna look in the references for this.

[@twomur_]

wow what an interesting game. i’ve always been interested in the environment of the game however i didn’t know the development was such an interesting story and made by only one guy! impressive!!

[@matthewpublikum3114]

The ai behavior is fascinating! I'd love if there was a deeper dive in its development

[@sodiumsovereign]

Awesome stuff, absolutely loving the game! My daughter chants 'SLUG CAT! SLUG CAT!' when I ask if she wants to watch me play. Can't wait to get a go at Downpour on Switch!

[@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

[@lunactiathemoth]

pizza tower i think

[@1stdarthvader48]

Maybe slime rancher since the sequel is on early access and great vids I love them

[@_JEANIUS]

Pizza Tower Could be interesting for sure 🍕👨‍🍳🗼

[@andrewganbold9909]

Patch quest or Ultrakill

[@empoleonmaster6709]

Might I suggest an incredibly small indie game called Reprisal? It's on steam and very hard to put into words, but it's sort of like a god simulation game but you're trying to get your faction/tribe to expand and be the last one standing against a bunch of other enemy factions/tribes but apart from having your units get out and build settlements or generally attack, you can only influence the world through terrain manipulation or weather effects.

[@Wingedmagician]

“Creatures are always in a state of existence no matter if they’re on screen or not” I love this so much

[@handsomeavocado14]

Rain world is my favorite game of all time. I found it in late 2018 and decided to check it out. At first I was slightly frustrated at the sheer lack of direction, but after a few months I had finally finished the first slugcat. Genuinely this game is so replayable, the lore is very well madec and the art is beautiful. The ecosystem is so complex and sometimes I can just watch stuff interact with each other. I got really back into rain world when downpour released and now I play whenever I have free time. :)

[@Big-Chungus21]

Rain World Downpours map is so massive and complex that im ashamed to say i needed to use a map for a few bits for the last few slugcats… i didnt want a 40 hour saint run like my first ever playthrough 6 years ago. Besides this Rain World might be my favourite game of all time. Its a 20 - 40 hour experience the first time you play it, but as you get more confident it becomes down right addicting to discover all of the games secrets, like regions, arena unlocks, taming creatures, raising slugpups, fighting lizards etc… I think this was what stopped me from giving up due to its unforgiving nature and quite high difficulty. Every time i died i wasn’t upset, because i discovered something new each time, often times something entertaining. This game singlehandedly also got me into game dev because it changed my perspective on what a game could be, as the journey is unique to each player and so is the story they interpret. It really takes advantage of the benefits of using video games for storytelling beyond other games that rely on dialogue and text in order to figure it all out. Of course there is also a more specific story outside of this that you might completely miss if you dont pay attention. Your role is that of a scavenging rodent-like creature trying to make its way through the world, so it makes sense that your character wouldnt casually know about all of the worlds history etc, as it wont make you any less hungry or at any less danger from the rain… although even this story is told wonderfully and takes heavy inspiration from buddhist philosophy to really create something unique, and surprisingly dark at times. Still insane how ambitious the base game and Downpour is… so much content, about 70% of which a player may never find out about unless they choose to take detours. And Downpour really listens to fans of the base game rather than trying to expand the audience or make it more accessible, which in my opinion is a good thing.

[@Jakepearl13]

It’s fascinating how realistic they made the ecosystem,and really captured that feeling of just being another entity existing in the ruins of a once advanced world. Cant wait to see what videocult does next!

[@JossOwX]

Such an underrated masterpiece and will stay as one because of the difficulty

[@ATS5VCSS5]

the ecosystem is insainly creative. i wonder if future game versions of Rainworld have more creative creatures

[@Enceos]

Thank you so much! Just the stuff I wanted after watching the lore videos. It's amazing how you gathered so much info for this documentary.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure! Joar's devlog made it easier than usual to gather lots of interesting behind-the-scenes information :D

[@levelzero8445]

Thank you so much! I was looking forward to seeing you cover this amazing game and you did not disappoint. Particularly, the origins of the production were new to me. Keep up the great work

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure, glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@THEZWOBB]

This just popped up on my autoplay today, I rarely comment on anything on youtube but this is amazingly high quality. I can't believe I hadn't seen any of your videos until now, but based on the few I've had time to watch your videos are great. Especially the level of detail in the dev history you go into is extremely fascinating, keep up the good work!

[@paulolsen2197]

Wow! This is very well timed, as I’ve recently become obsessed with it! Glad to have the ability to hear the whole story.

[@Virtualblueart]

I finished the original version and it felt like a real achievement. But I'm glad of the remix options because it made exploration with the new cats a lot less punishing while not making it a cake walk.

[@simonisenberg4516]

Rain World is such a gem. Didn't realize how much has happened since release and I should revisit it. Thanks for the great video. Just the right length and detail and tons of stuff to look at.

[@randomcommenter10_]

I really wish Freethinker got completed and released as Joar said on the forums that it was a mega project but sadly he abandoned development on the game when it was 1/3 complete and the game also had 100 scenes. Now that I think of it, Freethinker is basically a predecessor to Rain World and it even had some systems carried over into it from Freethinker. Joar did say that he hasn't completely given up on Freethinker and hopefully one day he'll get to completing it so I'm hopeful to finally play it after all these years.

[@gooose7]

I haven't enjoyed a half an hour long video so much in shuch a long time! Keep up the good work man! I never knew this game existed but now I will definitely check it out! Such an amazing game with an awesome concept!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and will do! Working on the next one as I type this ;)

[@j0d29]

Hearing they ported the project to c sharp unity made me really happy, just proves that it doesn't matter what game engine or language it is, as long as you can realise an idea, amazing game

[@yentried]

I don't have time to watch this right now but I already know it's going to be incredible, these videos always are. You do fantastic work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated!

[@draconisrus9273]

My first experience in Rain World was painful, but even then it fell in love with the design, the music and all these creatures that are different not only in body (texture and model) but also in soul. The first time I did not realize how well they worked just noticed that some want to eat me immediately, others fly next to me for a long time before pushing me and some poke me first with their claws and then throwing spears.

[@neerkum5428]

Rain world (arguably) isn't even a game, it's a simulator and probably the most organic simulator out there, which is such a HUGE technical marvel for one programmer.

[@krubbington]

Excellent game dev video as always, Glen! Such a joy to see these pop up in my subscription feed. It's funny how the slugcat's name originated from a simple youtube comment, lol. I've heard about rainworld before, but this video made me put it on my wishlist (along with the dlc); it truly does seem like a one-of-a-kind experience, and I'd love to survive in this simulated environment firsthand (as well as support the developer). As always, great work!

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Much appreciated, I had a blast making this one! It's always working on a video where there's so much cool behind-the-scenes material available .

[@MysterySmell]

I wanna hear that 16bit shit

[@_JEANIUS]

I really wish you get even more subscribers one day cause you are always making quality videos and are highly deserving of it! You are one of my favorite KZbinrs 😊💛

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you, awesome to hear that! I couldn’t believe it when I got 100K subscribers so everything after that has been the cherry on top!

[@DamageMaximo]

Rain World is an absolute masterpiece for many reasons, what a game!

[@TheAdvertisement]

It's crazy how there's games like Minecraft, Terraria and Mario Maker that are literally intended to either be sandbox games or creation games, where everything is intended to interact with each other. And yet one developer trying to create a maze game with an ecosystem manages to stand up there with them, if not above.

[@yeyebussington6966]

Very proud to hear the devs wanted to collaborate with those that saw more potential in the game and a possible sequel, rather than shut them down ❤️😎👍

[@machinech183]

How integral a teams cohesion and compatibility are cannot be understated. With so many examples of failure it's really nice to see and hear about a team that grows organically along with the premise of their game. Much like the game itself they managed to successfully navigate something that too often ends in demise.

[@elijahclaude3413]

WOW!! This is truly incredible!! I heard of this game here and there, but didnt think much of it because I usually dont play 2D games. I never realized they built a whole freaking ecosystem!! I LOVE that!! This is exactly the type of game I'd like to create one day (but in 3D). Definitely going to check it out!!

[@MalakaiDerg]

Thanks a lot for your video. Everything here is why I consider this game so fascinating and so unique, hope it helps other people see what's so special about it.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure! Glad I was finally able to cover it, there’s nothing quite like it.

[@MalakaiDerg]

@@ThatGuyGlen There really isn't. Also I support your decision of not talking about the story basically, I'm glad that the other video about the ecosystem that's been around got good reception but it made a bit sad that it also spoils the whole game lol.

[@Lordradost]

Thank you Glen, I hoped you would do this one and just found out. Massive respect to this underrated game, although as we keep seeing over the years, game reviewers and critics are not what their job title implies. The audience score is the most authentic rating system.

[@MigWith]

rain world is one of if not my favorite game, such an interesting world and mechanics. got it about a year ago because ive always been fascinated by alien worlds, and in a video it was shown to me that rain world had exactly that! playing and exploring was awesome. so good that i wanted to create my own creatures in a similar or the same scenario, i had wondered and created a couple speculative creatures way before that(having inspiration from subnautica and othe spec-evo projects), but since rain world i have this idea in the back of my mind to create my own living breathing ecosystem, with many differing concepts (i want the game to be a alien experience) but with the same purpose of "being a thing thrown into this living environment", if i ever get the passion to code i might have a game of my own with the interesting creatures and scenario i already planned. your video really came in handy.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

I hope you get to make it someday! Perhaps you could find someone that could help you out with the programming.

[@frahohen]

This shows how beautiful it can be to allow modding in a game and having a community around it that does the heavy lifting. This is what AAA studios forgot these days. 😢

[@luanfonseca1508]

Rain world é um jogo fantástico, eu quando o conheci fiquei espantado como que algo tão incrivel não é famoso nem reconhecido mundialmente. Eu nunca pedi um jogo assim mas eu precisava e é uma experiencia inesquecivel poder ter tido a chance de jogá-lo, disfrutá-lo e aprender como ele mesmo foi feito. Quando executo esse jogo eu me inspiro e quanto mais jogo mais viciado nele fico

[@StormyYay]

I really appreciate how well the videos on this channel are made, they incorporate all the facts necessary and maybe even more. As an indie game dev, i find it really interesting to see how other people have created different systems with different genres, solely powered by an idea, inspiration and pure drive to finish what they want in different ways and with different perspectives. The creators are genuinely interested and willing to create these games without anything else to derive the work from their original goals and ideas. I think these videos clearly display these feelings from the original creators to the viewers on this channel.

[@Whatthetrash]

Rain World is indeed a fascinating game. I personally think it's more fun to watch stuff *about* Rain World than play the game itself, but it definitely made its mark as something different and interesting in the gaming space (which is no easy feat).

[@darkowl9]

Kind of reminds me a little of how in STALKER, all the other NPCs are being sort of simulated... not quite the same level, but certainly a feel that things are much more unpredictable and dynamic. Nice dive into the designs behind the game.

[@ViHtor]

From the all deepness of my heart I want to give my absolute respect and a “Thank you” to Videocult. Rain World. This game probably changed my life. This is a masterpiece among other masterpieces. This is a literal magnum opus of all the games in the world, or maybe anything other. At least its that for me. Not many games impacted me so much that I could cry. But Rain World did. And there is no other game that made me so these many times. Particularly, the music that you used in that video, Digital Sundown, it was muffled by your voice and I had my volume low, and even with all this, when I hear it, I get that strange, sad feel of nostalgia. I remembered what I thought that game was when only things I knew were a few screenshots, a very brief explanation and the plot that I’ve read. I spoiled it two years before I launched it for the first time, so many memories faded for me (and also, I never heard the soundtrack), so, to be honest, the fact that I knew everything that was there actually gave me more of an experience than if I played it blind. Rain World, that game, I see it everywhere, even in my life somehow. It changed me, gave me another perspective about things. It gave me something that is, if you excuse me, godlike in comparison to any other game experience. Even after 3 years after completing it I continue to reminisce. It gave me not just incredible, incredible amount of inspiration, it not just gave me something that would make my whole life already “complete” (true love), it also shown me that for making SOMETHING so much powerful you don’t need to have much. You just do it, with love. Iterate, iterate to finally make something truly worthy of an affirmative. This game for me is... everything. Nothing triggered so many feelings in me in my entire life. Rain World did. The music. Its absolutely beautiful. This game… it just puts feelings directly inside you. The melancholy, the frustration, the life that lives with all of this, the ecosystem that just lives for living, the peaceful melodies of a breathing world. This is what I hear and see, this is what I feel.

[@djbusx]

I literally had no idea of this game/project/creators until just now. Thank you @ThatGuyGlen for making this video and showing the the love, passion, and complexity behind it. I’m a fan without even playing it! Can’t wait to buy a copy and support these people.

[@raghuvaidya5485]

this and no clip are my favourite channels related to game development. Great video as always.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thanks, awesome to hear that!

[@Rezornch_and_Dvelenktronx]

This is an awesome documentary... I have marked it on my "watch later" playlist and have watched 1/4 of this vid more than once... I just have to stop watching so I will not receive any spoilers or guidance... I played Legend of Zelda on NES when I was a kid with no guidance (before internet) I am grateful for having experienced it as intended by the creators. I appreciate developers that are making games to be enjoyable with no info! (I played the video while I left the room so you could receive the credit for a complete viewing)

[@docmarion8902]

Rain World is for the few. For the very brave, downright crazy people. But damn it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced on all ways imaginable, no words can describe my appreciation for this masterpiece.

[@chickenmaster3879]

I went from knowing nothing about this game to knowing a thorough history of it, and better yet, being inspired to make my own. Amazing video, great work.

[@RenderingUser]

It was a game I discovered through its amazing art And I stayed playing it for the amazing ai and the feeling of an isolated world done right

[@palyername]

just wanted to say I'd never heard of this game before but the title description fascinated me, I clicked on it, and I got 10 minutes in and decided to buy it

[@IvoryMadness.]

This video was amazing! You really said everything that has to be said, I think. This was super fun to watch! 😄

[@ThatGuyGlen]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it! There’s actually plenty more interesting stuff I didn’t cover, but it can all be found on Joar’s devlog ;)

[@tomsterbg8130]

Now I just feel bad about not giving the game as much chance as i should have. I usually am very patient, but i ended up spending a bit of time in the game and remember being in awe looking at the giant mosquitoes attacking the lizards, but i barely saw anything. It felt weird, like i didn't know where to go, there was no clear path, and that it relies more on me being motivated to explore rather than the game motivating me to explore. So i just forgot about it and i personally love emergent behavior so it would probably have been very cool for me to just stay longer and explore all the behaviors that these creatures express. Given that i saw one fight and it immediately made me feel like i'm watching a movie set.

[@reinderp5967]

I did not know about this game, thanks for taking me on this super interesting journey. I now know what to play next!

[@cprogrammerguy]

Good luck on playing this, this game can be very frustrating to new players but once you get a hang of it, you can easily traverse the harsh environments and unseen lands.

[@ThatGuyGlen]

My pleasure!

[@rizzbod]

You and Joar both are insanely talented! Thank you for the content, both of you

[@polandsilver3419]

I love this game as an art, as a game and as source of deep thoughts and one of those arts that changed my personality :D

[@russellwaring2354]

I had stumbled across Rain World during it's Kickstarter days and have remained aware of the game since; however, I did not realize the depths that the games creators took to create such a unique experience. After all this time, this video has convinced me to purchase the game. Looking forward to it, and thanks!