Case Details
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Frostin
Indie game studios are independent creators that operate outside the traditional publishing structure, typically without any financial backing from large corporations. They are characterized by smaller development teams and budgets but make up for it with boundless creativity and flexibility.
author:
Brian Craner
client:
Cybery
budget:
$8M
Year:
2022
Frostin is a side-scrolling survival platformer set in a frozen world on the brink of collapse. Players take on the role of a lone explorer navigating through a desolate, icy landscape where the temperature constantly drops and time is a relentless enemy. With limited resources and an unforgiving environment, every step forward in Frostin becomes a battle between instinct, timing, and resilience. The game combines atmospheric storytelling with precision-based gameplay, wrapped in a minimalist yet emotionally rich visual style.
Our Role:
From concept to final build, we handled the full development cycle of Frostin. The core idea was to capture the feeling of cold as more than just an environment—it had to feel like a character in itself. We built custom temperature-based mechanics where the environment not only posed visual obstacles but actively influenced gameplay, movement, and the player’s survival. The visual direction was designed with a soft, snow-muted palette and dynamic fog, while the music evolved based on how close the player was to freezing.
One major challenge was designing a temperature system that felt organic rather than gimmicky. We approached this by integrating temperature as an invisible enemy that impacted not just visuals, but character speed, stamina, and even how sound echoed through the environment. Another technical hurdle involved optimizing the visual effects for mobile platforms without sacrificing immersion. We built custom shaders and used layered particle effects to simulate snowfall, breath condensation, and environmental decay in a lightweight yet powerful way.
Results:
Frostin received strong positive feedback in early playtests for its immersive pacing and emotional tone. Players were particularly drawn to the way the game made them feel the cold—not through dialogue or exposition, but through sound, light, and mechanics. As a project, it allowed our studio to explore new directions in minimalist storytelling and tension-building through design. Frostin continues to stand as a quiet yet powerful showcase of our ability to blend emotion and gameplay into a seamless experience.