Devolver Digital and its in-house studio Doinksoft are set to release Volvy's Adventure: Reslimed, a 2D platformer styled after Game Boy Color titles, on November 19. This release date places the game in direct contention with the launch of Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6, a move acknowledged and embraced by Devolver Digital.
Doinksoft designer Britt Brady initially pitched the game to Devolver by sending a package containing an Analog Pocket and a Game Boy Color cartridge with a playable level. The game was prototyped for the Game Boy Color and initially planned as a small release for the system. However, the team decided the project warranted a larger platform and subsequently ported it to PC, with console releases planned for later.
Devolver Digital has a history of marketing stunts and internally had joked about releasing a game on the same day as Grand Theft Auto 6. As Volvy's Adventure progressed, the idea of its mascot, Volvy, facing off against the massive release of GTA 6 became an inevitability. The announcement of Volvy's Adventure coincided with embargo lifts for Grand Theft Auto 6 news, resulting in the former's announcement being surrounded by significantly more headlines.
Despite the overwhelming presence of Grand Theft Auto 6, Devolver and Doinksoft are committed to their release date. Nigel Lowrie, Devolver's co-founder and marketing head, stated that while GTA 6 will undoubtedly dominate the spotlight, Volvy's Adventure offers an alternative for players. The game is being positioned as 'counter-programming' to GTA 6, appealing to those who may not be interested in Rockstar's sequel or prefer a PC release on the same day.
Volvy, the official Devolver Digital mascot, is characterized by one large and one small hand. Initially conceived as a parody of mainstream mascot characters and attempts to revive older ones, Volvy has evolved into an actual mascot through appearances in various Devolver-published games. While not as globally recognized as characters like Mario, Volvy has gained a unique, albeit less prominent, identity.
Volvy's Adventure: Reslimed is described as a retro-style 2D platformer that emphasizes kinetic force, chain reactions, and dynamic combos. The gameplay mechanics are designed to keep players airborne, chaining combos and maintaining momentum. The control scheme is intended to be intuitive, allowing for complex, momentum-based sequences without fighting the controls, thereby prioritizing player expression and continuous movement. The game features four worlds of levels where Volvy attempts to rescue kidnapped friends from a slime-unleashing wizard. The developers have humorously noted that knowing details about the GTA 6 nudist colony might have inspired further in-game content.