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In SPARROW, a sparrow finds itself trapped in a mysterious mansion, where it must survive deadly encounters with terrifying creatures while uncovering the dark secrets of the place and desperately searching for a way to escape. Developed by Phantom Lake Games, the project is scheduled for release in 2025. We spoke with the studio to understand the creative process behind the game.

According to Phantom Lake Games, formed by brothers Michael and J.R.S. Storch, the inspiration for SPARROW came from a deeply unsettling personal experience. "Some years ago, a mother bird built a nest within the outer wall of my apartment. When the chicks hatched, they fell into the walls and became trapped. Despite my best efforts to rescue them, none survived. This experience left a lasting impression on me, compelling me to find a creative outlet for the disturbing images and sounds that were burned into my memory," shared Michael Storch.

When developing the game's concept, the brothers decided to set the story in a secluded mansion inhabited by biologically modified creatures, such as mutated insects, spiders, and cats. "The mother bird builds her nest in the mansion, unaware of the horrors residing there. The game begins with her returning to find her nest empty and venturing into the depths of the mansion to find her missing fledglings, while the mystery of what happened in the mansion and the origin of the creatures unfolds," explain the creators.

SPARROW began development three years ago, initially with just Michael Storch. "The first year was dedicated to experimentation and prototyping, during which the basic concept of SPARROW emerged. I then brought my brother on board to help with gameplay and level design, project management, and composing the soundtrack," Michael said. Additionally, the studio enlisted the help of external artists to create visual elements that were essential to establishing the game's identity.

Although the release date is yet to be determined, Phantom Lake Games has already assembled a demo that is being tested by a small group of people. "We plan to expand testing over time and release the demo during an upcoming Steam Next Fest. Our primary goal is to finish the game's design and focus on polishing and testing. We're in no rush to release until everything is ready," the developers state.

The creators of SPARROW have high expectations for the game post-launch and plan to release a post-launch DLC, though more details will be revealed only after the base game's debut. "We are very proud of SPARROW and hope its unique concept and engaging story provide a powerful experience for players. We’re excited to share SPARROW with the world and eager to see how people will react," conclude the Storch brothers.