New Studio formed by Edith Finch and Journey developers
Gardens are about to flourish
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A new studio may be about to rise to prominence. Gardens is a currently remote endeavour that aims to bring unique narrative and multiplayer experiences to life.
Gardens has been established by developers Chris Bell and Lexie Dostal. Bell is best known for work on Journey and What Remains of Edith Finch. Dostal is the co-creator of Dustforce. Between them, Gardens boasts a pedigree of impressive narrative feats, matched with a comprehensive understanding of game fundamentals
And even beyond this, Gardens has recruited talent that have worked on impressive AAA titles before. From Fallout through to Skyrim and Insomniac’s Spiderman, Gardens is stocked with seasoned developers from across the industry.
Gardens’ Mission Statement
Right off the bat, Gardens appears to have a clear idea of what experiences they want to provide to players.
A post on the developers’ website reads “We’re named after the games we grow together — lush, living worlds that bring players together to cultivate lasting friendships. Worlds that offer surprising multiplayer experiences and flourish with the help of their communities.”
Coming from the people involved, this is more than a goal; it’s a promise.
Gardens’ Pedigree
To get a clearer idea of what Gardens’ might be working on, it’s worth looking at the portfolio of studio founder Chris Bell.
Journey is one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences of all time, forming a bond between players without any normal methods of online communication. a truly unique take on multiplayer. Journey’s story still resonates with players a decade later.
What Remains of Edith Finch is an engulfing, mournful story of loss and lies with a subtle wry streak. And without an overly long runtime, the game still manages to cover the sage of an entire family. A family with an almost unbelievable history and the curse that haunts them.
A studio dedicated to providing narrative and multiplayer experiences like these is very exciting news indeed.
The future of multiplayer stories
Whatever Gardens ends up putting out first, it will almost certainly be a unique, evocative experience.