The upcoming multiplayer game Big Walk, developed by House House, is set to release on August 4th. The game's concept, according to developer Stuart Gillespie-Cook, emerged directly from the isolation and social challenges experienced during COVID-19 lockdowns. Specifically, a distaste for virtual birthday parties on platforms like Zoom served as a significant inspiration.
Gillespie-Cook described these virtual gatherings as unpleasant experiences, often involving large numbers of people with limited opportunities for individual interaction. "I remember thinking about how I'd been to a bunch of Zoom birthday parties, which were horrible: just like 40 people in one Zoom call and only one person could talk at the time," he stated. This led to the early inclusion of proximity voice chat as a core feature, aiming to create a more personal and interactive space for friends.
The initial prototype for Big Walk was developed rapidly, within approximately a week. The developers found that being confined indoors during lockdown and missing social connections contributed to a strong desire to create a digital environment where people could connect. "To have this little space where we could be together really meant a lot to us," Gillespie-Cook explained. "But once we tapped into that feeling, we were like, 'We need this game to be about this feeling.' And we've been chasing that for six years."
Further details about the game's development, including discussions on the concept of "friendslop" and the team's initial uncertainty about defining the game's genre, are available in a broader interview. The developers also touched upon the feelings of awkwardness, in a positive sense, that the game can evoke.