Hello, Dinovanians!
Ever wished for a certain kind of game and wondered why it hasn’t been made yet? That's exactly what happened to me with Primal Planet.
I’m Albert van Zyl, the solo caveman behind this dinovania. Today, I’m thrilled to share the journey and inspirations that have shaped Primal Planet, giving you a glimpse into the heart of this game.
Passion for the Prehistoric
Rewinding back to a few years ago when I was watching Jurassic Park for the first time since I was a kid. The nostalgia hit hard, reigniting my childhood love for dinosaurs. Growing up in South Africa, I was surrounded by breathtaking nature and wildlife, which left a lasting impression. Combining this with my love for metroidvanias, the idea for Primal Planet was born—a game where you could immerse yourself in a world of dinosaurs.
Crafting a Living World
My vision for Primal Planet was clear: create a metroidvania where the environment feels alive. Not just obstacles to overcome, but a world where creatures interact with each other—predators hunt, prey flee. Inspired by the conceptual depth of games like Rain World, I wanted to craft a dynamic ecosystem that keeps players on their toes.
Inspired by the Greats
In Primal Planet, I aim to immerse players in the life of a cave dweller who must hunt, gather resources, and craft tools. However, I'm cautious to avoid turning these activities into a tedious grind. My objective is to ensure these systems are streamlined, sustainable, and enjoyable. Three of my favorite games — Subnautica, Far Cry Primal, and Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie — have been massive inspirations for Primal Planet. Although none of these are traditional 2D platformers (though one might argue Subnautica shares metroidvania elements), they all excel in creating systems that remain engaging throughout the game. These games also feature richly atmospheric worlds with incredible flora and fauna, all underscored by compelling, high-concept stories. If these three games had a pixel-art dinosaur metroidvania baby, Primal Planet would be it.
A Metroidvania Enthusiast’s Dream
I've been a fan of metroidvanias since childhood. Back in the early 90s as a little kid, I played my first ever metroidvania called Zeliard—a classic crafted in 1987 that completely captivated my young imagination. Since that moment, I've dreamed of creating my own metroidvania, and now, with the necessary skills and resources at my disposal, that dream has become a reality.
I draw inspiration from some of the giants in the genre, such as Hollow Knight and Axiom Verge, as well as newer additions like Outbuddies and The Messenger. Each game has contributed to the fabric of Primal Planet, influencing everything from storytelling to gameplay dynamics. I'm also a big fan of the fluid movement found in platformers like Celeste, which has inspired the responsive controls in Primal Planet.
Storytelling at Heart
At the heart of Primal Planet lies a story designed to resonate deeply with players. My goal has always been to create a game that not only entertains but also evokes strong emotions and creates lasting connections with its characters and narrative. Over the past few years, my increasing fascination with story-telling structure has significantly influenced Primal Planet's development.
Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal and H.G. Wells' War of The Worlds, has enriched the storyline. I even find value in unexpected places, such as the conceptually intriguing, but very poorly executed film Battlefield Earth. While controversial, its core ideas have contributed to the depth of the game's narrative.
Primal Planet is a story about the bonds of family and how far one would go to save your loved ones, while also reflecting modern society issues., But above all else, it is meant to be an entertaining and action-packed adventure on a dinosaur planet.
Join the Dinovania
I hope this gave some idea of my inspirations for Primal Planet, but if you have any comments, questions, or if you would like me to clarify some things, feel free to ask.
Join the Discord community, follow on Twitter, wishlist and follow the game on Steam to ensure you’re always kept in the loop.
Thank you so much for everyone's support so far, it means the world to me!
Seethingswarm
Primal Planet’s developer
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2350270/Primal_Planet/
