During their E3 2019 press conference, Microsoft showed a new trailer for Way to the Woods. In the game, players control a deer and its young offspring, seeking light sources, solving puzzles, and completing other actions in a cartoony, cel-shaded world. It will be available on Xbox Store and can also be played via Xbox Games Pass at launch.
Originally announced back in 2015, Way to the Woods is a game created by Anthony Tan, who was sixteen at the time. Way to the Woods began picking up attention when Tan shared artwork for the game on social media, and the distinct style caught the attention of Hello Games' Sean Murray who praised it and brought the work to the notice of many others at the time. Tan began work on the game after a sketch inspired him to explore the world further and he drew influence from Studio Ghibli titles like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, as well as The Last of Us, which back in 2015 he called the greatest game of all time.
The journey forward for Way to the Woods appears to have been a bit rocky over the years. In 2015 he applied, and received in 2016, an Unreal Grant and signed with Team17. What happened with the Team17 signing isn't known, although they don't appear in the new trailer, nor does Way to the Woods appear on the Team17 website. According to Anthony Tan's personal Tumblr, he has in the interim also contributed to Job Simulator and a Rick and Morty game.
The new trailer confirms that the music is being done by Aivi & Surasshu, who are best known for their work together on Steven Universe. Check out the trailer below to see all about Way to the Woods!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDjbZyvvyu0
If you want to know more about this and other announcements happening at E3 then be sure to check out our E3 2019 Coverage Hub.
