What to know
- A Toronto-inspired video game called Capy Castaway is turning the famous 2016 High Park capybara escape into a cozy adventure game set around themes of family, friendship, and home.
- The game was created by Canadian creative director Saffron Aurora and Toronto-based Kitten Cup Studio, and draws inspiration from Toronto culture and history, featuring local easter eggs like TTC subway cars and references to the escaped capybaras Bonnie and Clyde.
- It uses a painted art style inspired by titles like Untitled Goose Game and A Short Hike, with simple “pick-up-and-play” gameplay and two-player co-op.
- Capy Castaway is expected to launch later this year on Steam and Steam Deck, with the official release date set to be announced during the Wholesome Direct showcase on June 6.
One of Toronto’s most beloved animal escape stories is getting a second life, this time as a cozy indie video game.
Canadian creative director Saffron Aurora told Now Toronto she was thinking about what her next game development project would be in 2023, when she remembered the social media fad of capybaras just a few years prior.
“[I] just sort of formed this video game around the capybara and around Toronto, and around all of these sorts of things that we’re passionate about locally, and of course the capybara that escaped 10 years ago were perfect inspiration,” Aurora explained. “It all sort of came together really nicely, and they’ve served as a great inspiration both narratively and mechanically in the game.”
What is ‘Capy Castaway’?
In May 2016, two capybaras, named Bonnie and Clyde, escaped their High Park-based enclosure and led zookeepers on an over month long expedition as they evaded them until the end of June of that same year, according to multiple news outlets.
Aurora said she translated the antics of the two real-life capybara into her upcoming game Capy Castaway.
“It features very heavily on themes of family, found family, friends, and this feeling of home, especially because all of the characters are affected by a big devastating flood that displaces all of these characters,” she explained. “So, it very much has lots of funny moments, and also heartwarming moments.”
While Bonnie and Clyde aren’t the stars of the show in the video game, Aurora said they are referenced heavily, along with other Toronto easter eggs from around the city and in its history.
Why does the game feel like a love letter to Toronto?
From the classic red-seated subway cars to signs from retail stores’ past, the game is one big love letter to the city.
Aurora said making the game so Toronto-centric was important to her and her team with Kitten Cup Studio.
“I think both for the game and us as a studio, we’re based in Toronto and Ontario, and and I think we’ve always sort of been proud of that fact, we wear it on our sleeve that we’re a Canadian developer,” she shared. “…We also like to make sure that we’re being sensitive, that we’re referencing things, but also that we’re connecting with people, and I think that when you do the research and you make sure that you’re clear with the intent of what you’re referencing, that comes across and it connects better with people.
The game is an experience for players visually as well, with a painted art style inspired by popular games such as Untitled Goose Game and A Short Hike, another Canadian-based game.
“I hope that fans of Untitled Goose Game, and also A Short Hike, are both fans of our game. They both feature little chaotic guys who want to just be curious and creative in a new world,” Aurora shared.
She said her game, despite not being released yet, has already gained a lot of positive reaction online.
“It’s been really nice, I think getting the support from our local community, and talking with with people who are like, ‘I saw that on the news, that’s the capybaras, I totally know what that is,’ or even like trying to collaborate with other businesses, other devs, other people in the city, it’s been very heartwarming,” Aurora said.
When does Capy Castaway release?
Aurora describes Capy Castaway as a “pick-up-and-play” experience designed to feel relaxing, accessible and easy to return to. The calming atmosphere of the task-based game makes it easy to get into.
The game has two playable characters, something Aurora said would be nice when a parent and child play together.
“There’s a lot of communication that happens between the two players, of the intent that they want, so I do think it helps with a fun bonding moment with your game,” she explained. “But it’s also very chaotic and silly.”
While Kitten Cup Studio has yet to announce a specific release date and price point for the game, Aurora says the information is releasing very soon.
“We will be announcing our launch date soon, in June, as part of the Wholesome Direct,” she said, talking about an online streaming showcase of “cozy” style games happening on June 6.
As of now, the game is expected to release at some point this year, and will be available for purchase on Steam, online and on Steam Deck.
