When it comes to platformers, there are a few golden rules: fun gameplay, gratifying feedback (yes, that perfect sound when you pick up a coin), clear objectives, smooth difficulty progression, motivating rewards, and environments suited to the challenges. And very often, there’s a story — a common thread that connects all levels and worlds to form a grand adventure.
In Hopper and the Treasure of Spadebeard, the story isn’t just part of the experience – it’s the heart of it. The game takes place in a rich, colorful universe, already familiar to fans of the films, but here it’s the narrative that directly shapes the level design.
The film’s thrilling treasure hunt was an obvious choice for a video game adaptation. Our heroes must jump, run, climb, and dodge traps at the last second — a perfect recipe for a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled platformer.
“To maintain overall consistency — the story, cinematics, levels, bosses — we held regular meetings to align on what truly mattered,” explains Théo Pottier, game designer.
But beyond the narrative, fun remains the absolute priority — especially for a game designed for a young audience.
” The story was our starting point, but the most important thing was to keep it fun. Follow the fun was our rule ,” emphasizes Brice Mattivi, the game’s producer.
Finding the right balance was essential. Hopper’s new journey through the Kingdoms had to remain true to his character and the spirit of the films, while keeping a fundamental rule in mind: we are creating a game, not an interactive movie.
“At the beginning of production, we struggled to synchronize the gameplay — especially the level design — with the narrative,” admits Théo. ” To stick to the schedule, we sometimes had to simplify certain aspects of the design, which meant adjusting the story instead. It was easier to modify the narrative than to rebuild a level. “
Once the major elements were in place, the team went back for a second phase — refining the narrative flow and adding narrative touches where it made sense.
“We added small moments, cinematics, and dialogues to better reflect what was happening in the story,” adds Brice.
The result? A joyful blend of narrative and gameplay, carefully crafted to offer a coherent, thrilling adventure worthy of both the film’s legacy and the imagination of our youngest players.
