ReDimension Games studio, an emerging game development studio in Kohima, Nagaland, is all set to make its mark in the gaming industry with its debut PC game, slated for launch in the first quarter of 2024. Themed around the concept of the five stages of grief, this game plans to take players on an introspective and emotionally charged journey.
Comprising a talented two-member team, ReDimension Games studio is spearheaded by Pekrukhrietuo, 30, who takes on the roles of both the programmer and the designer of the game, while Imlijungshi, 25, contributes through his artistic talent by creating most of the game’s assets. Notably, the studio receives musical inspiration from the third collaborator, Loyievi, who composes the music for the team.
The foundation of the game’s narrative lies in the five stages of grief: bargaining, denial, anger, depression, and acceptance. In an interview with Mokokchung Times, Pekrukhrietuo explains, “It is kind of like a journey of a psychological fight…like fighting against our inner demons. The enemies of the game will be based on those emotions. We are planning to keep it a little bit abstract. We are not sure if our players will be able to discern our theme, but we don’t want to force that theme too much. We will have some small bits and pieces of stories for the players to figure out.”
Drawing on this psychological premise, the team has designed the enemies to represent a specific emotion, with the bosses personifying those sentiments. For example, Pekru explains that anger will be visually depicted with colors like red, bright yellow, and orange, and the corresponding boss will be set in a lava-like environment.
Speaking about the hero’s name, Pekru said the hero is still unnamed.
Responding to where he drew the inspiration for the game concept, Pekru said that the creative process behind the game’s development has been a collaborative effort between him and Imli. The duo engaged in brainstorming sessions and discussions to weave together a captivating narrative that resonates with players on a profound level.
When asked what pulled him towards game development, Pekru elaborated on the decision to pursue game development, saying, “Our aim is to make this a job. Luckily, we are in a position where we are able to take this risk. Of course, we are still putting in our effort, and if everyone is striving for government jobs, it is not sustainable. So, those who are capable and interested in doing something else, I think they should pursue it.”
Before starting ReDimension Games studio, Pekru completed a B. Tech in Computer Science Engineering in Bangalore, where he also took a short course in game programming, driven by a childhood interest he never took seriously before. In 2015, his passion for programming games grew when he took a hobbyist course, laying the foundation for his career in the gaming industry. He later joined a studio in Bangalore, focusing on creating small mobile games. Despite city life, Pekru couldn’t shake his desire to return home and pursue his own path.
Feeling a strong responsibility to create opportunities for like-minded individuals in his hometown, Pekru made a life-changing decision. “I thought about the time I had. I was quite young, but I wanted to take a risk with my early years,” he said. Determined, he came back home and sought a partner who shared his vision.
Through Instagram, Pekru crossed paths with Imlijungshi, who shared his passion for gaming. Without delay, they started their dream project, setting up a small studio at Pekru’s home in 2018 and embarking on their ambitious journey.
Despite their determination and passion, the journey has been challenging for the young team. Lack of prior experience presented hurdles along the way, leading to extended development timelines. Additionally, technical issues occasionally surfaced, posing obstacles that demanded resourceful problem-solving.
Addressing these challenges, Pekrukhrietuo narrates, “The biggest challenge was the lack of experience. I didn’t work for a long time in the city…it was more of self-learning. Due to lack of experience and also, my colleague is not from a very technical background, so most of the time, some technical problems come up, and it took us time to fix them. Also, things that could have been completed in two days took us four weeks and so on. Additionally, we faced issues like power cuts and internet disruptions.”
With an interesting concept centered on the complexities of human emotions, the upcoming PC game will be able to run on most modern systems.
