Picture this: a gaming experience that’s the antithesis of famed titles like Half-Life 2, Left 4 Dead, or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Unlike these first-person shooter games staged in devastated, post-apocalyptic urban landscapes, imagine a third-person game void of weaponry. Envision instead a vibrant, friendly city filled with charming characters, and starring, of all things, a delightful cat. Bizarre as it may sound, this is the essence of Little Kitty, Big City, the maiden venture from Valve’s former designer, Matt T. Wood.
During his extensive 17-year career at Valve, Wood was instrumental in creating renowned titles such as Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2, CS:GO, and both Half-Life 2 episodes. From founding the CS:GO project to choreographing Half-Life’s combat scenes, his prowess in level design was a standout quality.
Wood bid Valve farewell in mid-2019, subsequently forming his own game development company, Double Dagger Studio, in Seattle, Washington. Though never part of his post-Valve plan, he’s now deeply engaged in building and self-publishing a game about a lovable cat named Little Kitty, Big City.
“It’s primarily about cozy exploration,” Wood revealed to BuyTechBlog. He describes the game’s light platforming elements and the joy of vertical exploration, mirroring his personal interest in crafting spaces that are enjoyable to explore.
Little Kitty, Big City exudes Saturday-morning-cartoon charm, featuring hand-animated scenes and an appealing, friendly artistic touch. The protagonist, Kitty, possesses expressive green eyes and bat-like ears and is on a quest to find its way home, all while being encouraged to procrastinate in an open world teeming with cute animals and quirky quests, such as wearing various hats, purely for fun.
According to Wood, the game’s hats are cosmetic rather than functional—a refreshing design decision that emphasizes enjoyment rather than stats or abilities.
Double Dagger Studio’s birth lies in Wood’s rich history at Valve. He acknowledges Valve’s unique position in the AAA space and the company’s libertarian-inspired structure, which has created a wealthy corporation that’s become a bit complacent.
When Wood describes the joy and liberty he experiences while building Little Kitty, Big City, he contrasts it with Valve’s top-heavy bureaucracy, which he felt was not a place he wanted to be long-term. After years at Valve, he decided to venture out and control his own destiny.
Although appreciative of the stability and opportunities Valve offered, Wood was ready for a new challenge. Now, leading a small, passionate team at Double Dagger Studio, he’s enjoying his work more than ever.
Despite having approached potential publishers, Wood is self-publishing Little Kitty, Big City under Double Dagger Studio. He emphasizes the freedom he has without publisher involvement and the investment he’s made into his company.
In 2022, Little Kitty, Big City has made waves, being announced for Switch, featured at Summer Game Fest, and introducing adorable Kitty merchandise. As the Double Dagger team works towards completion, Wood’s vision continues to unfold, and it seems to parallel his own career journey.
Scheduled to launch in 2024 for Switch and PC, Little Kitty, Big City represents a delightful detour from the conventional gaming experience. It might be a game about a lost soul searching for home, but it seems to be exactly where Wood found his. And yes, fans can expect to find the game on Steam—Valve’s influence continues to linger, even in the cozy corners of a big city inhabited by a little kitty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Little Kitty, Big City
What is “Little Kitty, Big City” and who is developing it?
“Little Kitty, Big City” is a third-person game developed by Double Dagger Studio, headed by former Valve designer Matt T. Wood. The game is set in a warm, buzzing metropolis starring an adorable cat, focusing on cozy exploration and light platforming.
Who is Matt T. Wood, and what has he contributed to the gaming industry?
Matt T. Wood is a former designer at Valve, where he worked for nearly 17 years. He helped build and ship some of Valve’s most notable titles, including Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2, CS:GO, and both episodes of Half-Life 2. His specialties included level design, choreography, and combat scenes.
Why did Matt T. Wood leave Valve?
Matt T. Wood left Valve in mid-2019 due to dissatisfaction with the direction the company was taking. He felt that Valve was not challenging itself or taking risks and decided to create his own game development company, Double Dagger Studio, to make his own decisions.
What makes “Little Kitty, Big City” unique?
“Little Kitty, Big City” offers a warm, friendly environment for exploration, adorned with hand-animated scenes and a clean, playful art style. The game features an open-world filled with adorable characters, quests, and cosmetic hats, focusing on the fun and cozy exploration rather than combat.
Will “Little Kitty, Big City” be published by an established publisher?
No, despite exploring potential partnerships, Matt T. Wood decided to self-publish the game under Double Dagger Studio. He turned down publisher offers as he felt they did not justify the money they were going to take, relying on his own funds to support the game’s development.
When is “Little Kitty, Big City” scheduled for release, and on what platforms?
“Little Kitty, Big City” is on track to be released in 2024 for the Nintendo Switch and PC, and will be available via Steam.
More about fokus keyword Little Kitty, Big City
- Valve Corporation
- Double Dagger Studio
- Steam
- Nintendo Switch
- Summer Game Fest
- Half-Life 2
- Left 4 Dead
- Portal 2
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
7 comments
Always inspiring to see a big name like Wood break away from the big studio and start something fresh. It’s hard but so worth it. Good luck to Double Dagger Studio!
This game sounds so fresh, something completly different from what Valve usually does! cant wait to explore Little Kitty Big City. Those hats, tho. LOL!
remember when Valve made like Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, and all those serious games? Now we got a cat wearing a fish head. Times have changed, my friends…
Wait, it’s coming out in 2024, on Steam, even though Wood left Valve? That’s, like, poetic justice, or irony, or something. Anyway, I’m down for a game that lets me procrastinate.
Wow, Matt T. Wood, the legend, creating a game about a cat, who woulda thought? Looks cute, will defintely try it when it’s out.
From the creator of Portal 2’s co-op mode comes a cat adventure! You never know what to expect in the gaming world. Looking forward to those “light platforming” elements, whatever that means.
The description makes me curious about the soundtrack! Will there be Saturday-morning-cartoon-like music too? Really excited to see how it all comes toghether.