PigsFly is a short 2D platformer on the topic of freedom, where you help a little carefree pig escape his doom.
The Pig escapes the game space
The project was born out of a reflection on freedom, and on how it is affected
by personal perception. To reach the end, the player must actively seek out alternative
options and act upon the newly gained knowledge in creative ways.
The player character, a naive Pig, is initially faced with an unavoidable end,
as the only path he can take always leads to a slaughterhouse truck.
To proceed, the player must first be inquisitive, examining a nearby box to acquire
wings that will allow for a double jump. Then, they must be ingenious, walking in the
direction opposite to the one suggested to reveal a gated path. At this point they will
be able to access a platforming section, which will eventually lead the Pig to the end
of the game environment and allow him to walk off the screen, granting him actual freedom.
The simple and unassuming art style, inspired by Flash-based platformers, is meant to
generate a sense of artificiality and detachment from the game world, creating the
expectation of a basic, predictable 2D platformer. This should amplify the surprise of
the gameplay twists, leading to a more satisfying discovery for the player, who will feel
like they have “broken” the rules of the game.
The Pig is not a stand-in for the player, instead he speaks directly to them.
This separation is essential in fully exploring the concept of freedom: as a game character,
the Pig can become truly free only when he escapes the player’s control.
