Summer camp video games: 6 studios share their ideas

The American camp of the sleep-away has had a minimal impact on movie, television, and book productions.

Original Psychonauts placed its government training facility at Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp, and 2017’s Friday 13th is the game We were brought back to Camp Crystal Lake. Supermassive Games also recently released its latest release. QuarryThe nine camp counselors are in an epic battle against the supernatural to save their lives. These games, however, are not normal in the scheme of things. Movies like Meatballs, Heavyweights, Families Values of AddamsPlease see the following: Wet Hot American Summer Established summer camp movies as a force in pop culture, TV shows such Camp Lazlo American Horror Story: 1984 The rest followed. Summer camps are not treated by video games as a mainstream genre.

But that won’t stop us from dreaming. It has not stopped developers either. We reached out to six studios to ask what their ideal summer camp game would look like, regardless of budget or timeline, and their responses were as varied as the games they’ve actually made.

Now our conscience is unambiguous. It is up to publishers to make sure that classics like these are not forgotten.

Camp Gloom’s Last Summer

Image: Disney Channel

British-born, we get our ideas of American summer camps primarily from movies. The one that stays with us is Camp Chippewa. Families Values of Addams! We also really enjoyed the atmosphere and “out and about in nature with a map” gameplay of FirewatchWe would like to create an outdoor game with the same style but more emphasis on puzzle/detective components. We are. AlsoThe TV series is a great way to enjoy the humor and atmosphere of television. Gravity Falls.

Let’s sum it up. Our perfect summer camp game would have the combination of energy and mystery. Gravity FallsWith gameplay elements and visuals FirewatchIt is dark, but it’s wholesome! Let’s call it Camp Gloom’s Last Summer. —Bad Viking, Designer of Strange Horticulture

Bloodborne x Summer Camp Island

FromSoftware

Imagine what it would look like Bloodbornemet Summer Camp Island? Thousands of children will descend upon an isolated summer camp, with a colorful cast of “Camp Counselors,” “Forest Friends,” and “Bad Bullies.” You play as an unnamed, silent protagonist whose only special ability is to nod or shake their head. With your powers of communication you must unite the summer camp against the evil that lurks within the heart of “Wicked Woods.”

This is an always-online game, because a lot of the game will not make sense and you will have to rely upon “Fellow Campers” from “Other Timelines” to leave messages and items and the like. There is “The Lizard” in the game that will go “Buh.” I would like a significant amount of the budget to go into rendering “The Lizard.” If you connect a second controller, you can control “The Lizard.” ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not steal. —William Pugh, founder of Crows Crows Crows, developer of The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

Graffiti Evolution

Jackbox Games

It’s very Jackbox-y, but I genuinely love summer camp graffiti. Graffiti can be found on the walls of cabins, in bunks, or carved into trees and latrine facilities. Imagine a scenario where each player is 10 years old and draws and writes graffiti about their fictional summer. Five years later, you’re all 15. Your drawing wall is also getting older. While some lines remain clear, others are blurred or have disappeared. Your teenage summer is rewritten and drew again, using the rest of your lines. Then you’re a 20-year-old camp counselor. You draw again on the partly faded wall. Maybe over the years “Brad loves hot dogs” becomes “Brad loves Jenny” which later becomes “Stacy loves Jenny.” Or you just draw dumb stuff and over time one drawing’s nose later becomes another drawing’s butt.

The later rounds might include drawing from the viewpoint of wedding guests, corporate retreat employees, woodland creatures or serial killers in the off-season. —Arnie Niekamp, studio editorial director at Jackbox Games, developer of Jackbox Party Pack 8

Camp Earth

Schell Games

CAMP EARTHIt uses the next-generation mixed reality headset. The headset is worn to be able to observe a spaceship/summer camp bus landing outside of your home. You are home to eager aliens from across the galaxy. Your homeTheir summer camp headquarters will be in this location. As the aliens explore your house, you lead them through activities. Crafts, space s’mores, and interstellar romance abound. Learn the secrets of aliens and make new friends to keep your home safe. —Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games, developer of I Expect You to Die 2

Camp Tyrannosaurus teeth

Image: Frontier Developments

From a Frontier perspective, it’d be particularly interesting (if a little dangerous!) To see the possibilities at a Jurassic World Evolution IISummer camp! Last year we even added a Camp Cretaceous Dinosaur Pack, so Jurassic has had some fun with camp-related activities before.

While the sights at a dino-themed summer camp would be amazing, with awe-inspiring dinosaurs, flying and marine reptiles, and beautiful sweeping landscapes, there’s always that added risk factor — who knows what could go wrong! Campgoers will have lots to be proud of, from dino outbreaks to severe weather conditions like snowstorms or hurricanes. It’d be worthwhile to see a wildlife specimen up close. TriceratopsWhile traveling in the Gyrosphere or seeing the great MosasaurusDuring feeding times, launch yourself out of the lagoon water. We’d advise that all campers steer clear of the Tyrannosaurus rex enclosure, of course… —Rich Newbold, game director at Frontier Developments, developer ofJurassic World Evolution 2.

FOMO at Sleepaway

Image: Game Bakers

It’s summer and all your friends are going to different summer camps. They all except you. You stay at home with your grandma, and you have nothing to do except take care of all of your friends’ homes: water the plants, feed the cats and dogs, sort the mail, etc. By doing that, you discover little things you didn’t know about them, and about their relationships with you… and you can prepare something for each of them that will surprise them when they get back (crafting minigame). They return home feeling super touched. You and your friends will throw an enormous party to thank you for being such nice friends. —Emeric Thoa, creative director at The Game Bakers, Designer of Haven