“It's been a while since I was active here, but some of you might know me. I've been playing a little bit with some code…” 

Fifteen years have passed since we first caught a glimpse of Rain World, in a prototype known as runnMaze2. Joar Jakobsson was experimenting with procedural animation, seeking to create pixel-art characters that moved with a rare fluidity, and documenting his process via his TIGsource blog. No one could have predicted what this early prototype would go on to be, or how many people it would ultimately reach. 

Next year is the 10th anniversary of Rain World’s release, and we’re marking the occasion with the official, definitive story of its years in development – covering everything from the game’s earliest builds through its Kickstarter campaign to its release and extensive post-launch support with detailed insights from Jakobsson and James Therrien. We pick through its initial reception and audience response, and the modding and fan communities that have sprouted up around it. Finally, we map out the narrative scattered throughout the ruins of this captivating world, combining fan theories with critical analysis to shed light on the secrets and mysteries within.

Written by Grace Benfell (Paste Magazine, PCGamesN, GameSpot), and designed by Lost In Cult, this book takes you deep inside the creation of a meticulously crafted modern classic. In partnership with Videocult and Akupara Games, we present to you Rain World: Design Works.