Indie Game Sensation: Exploring the Success of a Miniscule Icelandic Game Development Team in Creating One of the Year's Most Anticipated Releases
In the heart of Iceland, a small but ambitious indie studio named Myrkur Games has been hard at work on their highly anticipated debut title, "Echoes of the End". The game is set to be released on the 12th of August, available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Myrkur Games was founded in an attic by Halldor Snaer Kristjansson, Fridrik Adalsteinn Fridriksson, and Daniel Arnar Sigurdsson back in September 2016. Initially composed of nine people, the team grew to around 40 during the development of "Echoes of the End". One of the key additions was Dadi Einarsson, who joined as performance director and senior cinematographer in 2018.
The team at Myrkur Games felt that Iceland's unique fantasy feel and breathtaking visuals made it the perfect setting for the kind of fantasy they wanted to create in "Echoes of the End". They started using phone cameras for photoscanning during the prototyping phase, as scanning technology was not as widespread at the time.
"Echoes of the End" is set in a fantastical version of Iceland named Aema. The game offers some exploration opportunities across its 10 chapters and focuses on combat, puzzle-solving, and platforming. The main protagonist of the game is Ryn, a warrior with a connection to ancient magic.
The development of "Echoes of the End" was a labour of love for the team. They started the project with the intention of creating a game in the genre that got them into the industry. The alpha version of the game was a significant moment for the team, as it was the first time they saw the game from A-Z, even though it was not fully polished.
However, the development process was not without its challenges. The team had to throw away parts of the game that they loved during development in order to maintain the game's cohesion and flow. One unexpected addition to the game came when a team member's speech was interrupted by a real-life volcanic eruption in the local area, leading to the inclusion of a volcano in "Echoes of the End".
The game has been compared to the critically acclaimed "God of War" by some online. Myrkur Games produced the game themselves before PLAION supported the project. The average playtime for "Echoes of the End" is estimated to be 14-15 hours.
"Echoes of the End" is a testament to the passion and dedication of the team at Myrkur Games. After years of hard work, the game is finally ready to be shared with the world. Get ready to embark on an epic journey through the fantastical landscapes of Iceland when "Echoes of the End" releases on the 12th of August.
