In fall of the porcupine, Available today on Xbox, we tell a very personal story about a young intern who, among other things, deals with a very important and serious problem. Because although the health system is supported by the employees, their working environment is anything but pleasant. In addition, they have to deal with serious problems such as death or illness on a daily basis. We conducted dozens of pre-interviews to ensure we were able to represent this area in the game with the necessary sensitivity. The people we spoke to all came from the medical field and consisted of doctors, nurses and other staff. The answers provided us with a subjective impression consistent with our own impressions, which we in turn used to create the emotional and believable story Fall of the Porcupine.
Unique protagonist
The history of Fall of the Porcupine The focus is on Finley, a young intern who has started his first job at St. Ursula Hospital in the eponymous town of Porcupine. The developers came up with something special when designing the characters: All characters are represented as animals. For example, Finley is a dove, and the other characters he meets and accompanies him through the game are also portrayed as animals. “We decided to use animals to make the very serious issue of the health system more comfortable for the players,” says Sebastian, game designer at Fall of the Porcupine
dealing with serious issues
But despite the cuteness of some animals, there are also very serious issues that affect us all. Topics such as (severe) illnesses can always cause unpleasant memories for those affected. After all, one of Finley’s responsibilities as an intern is to diagnose and care for his patients. He also takes an emotional part in the fate of his patients.
variety in the game
Since Fall of the Porcupine is very narrative focused and the story is very, very important to us, the character relationships are central. By making decisions, they can also be influenced. In addition, we loosen up the narrative focus on serious topics with various mini-games and platforming elements as well as humor. We believe that we will manage this balancing act well. “So far we’re doing what we think is right and the feedback in that regard is positive. “What we write comes from the heart and is our feeling,” adds Sebastian. Fall of the Porcupine is now available on Xbox.
Fall of the Porcupine
ASSEMBLE ENTERTAINMENT GmbH
$19.99
Enter the town of Porcupine and make your way to the popular doctor’s office of Finley, the newest young doctor to join the ranks of St Ursula’s Hospital. As the seasons change in the small town and life moves, it’s easy to realize that things aren’t always what they seem: not everyone is honest with themselves and others, the healthcare industry isn’t as famous as it is it seemed his medical degree and the work-life balance Finley aspired to might be impossible to achieve. Fall of Porcupine is an original storytelling adventure and love letter to those who are there for us when we’re not feeling like ourselves. The game tackles sensitive issues with an accessible narrative, relatable characters, and engaging dialogue that offers tons of exploration, fun mini-games, and casual platforming. Discover a beautiful, diverse world. There is a lot to discover not only in the old hospital, but also in the small town of Porcupine itself. Take the time to meet the villagers and have a beer with them at the local pub, take a trip to the nearby forest or have some quality time with your friends. Hard-nosed professionals, nice friends The blunt chief physician, the selfless nurse, Finley’s smart friends and many other residents populate the small town of Porcupine. Engage in fun, deep, and sometimes serious dialogues that let you choose your answers and affect your relationships. Show your skills and empathy. You don’t even have time to check the clock because your patients are waiting! Investigate what’s wrong with them in your conversations and handle them in various mini-games that will challenge you in terms of logic, speed and skill. Uncovering social injustice and structural problems At first glance, the small town is a warm, friendly place where everyone knows and greets each other. But if you live there for any length of time, you’ll suspect that not everyone is as honest as they make it out to be – especially in an unhealthy healthcare system.
