Scaravan 66 began with a simple caravan concept but evolved into a high-octane, very alive, psychobilly-inspired world. Unlike standard racing games, Scaravan 66 relies on a lot of worldbuilding, horror aesthetics, and a unique player experience. Scaravan 66 revolves around a series of encounters, consisting of multiple waves of enemies. This structure gives players the time, space, and choice to approach each situation however they want. Of course, game development can often be defined by its challenges, and Scaravan has its fair share from initial concepts to the challenges of balancing fast-paced combat with roguelike gameplay.
In an interview with Game Rant, Lithic Entertainment co-founders Andy Wood and Al Bellemare discussed their humble beginnings, from brainstorming sessions to balancing unique mechanics, as they approach the release of Scaravan 66. This is a story of creativity and the birth of a game that is set to deliver a unique experience when it hits the road in 2025.
From Cute Fantasy Caravans to Hellhounds and High-Speed Carnage
Iteration, Execution, and Scaling
When the devs first set out to create the game, the idea was centered around a low-tech fantasy-themed world featuring a literal horse and carriage. They quickly realized they needed to amp up the gameplay to deliver the intense action envisioned. High-speed, high-intensity combat just fit right in with the experience they were aiming to bring players, and shifting from the initial idea to the hell-themed high-speed action of Scaravan 66 was a game-changer. As the devs explained,
“One day, we were rifling through some old game-jam design notes from years before and found some vague scribblings of a game based on a psychobilly track, about rampaging in a car and running from hellhounds that were trying to drag the protagonist back to hell. That’s when we sort of had our “Aha!” moment and realized this type of world was way more in line with the target pacing.”
The psychobilly aesthetic helped them unlock a new direction for the game, providing the opportunity to explore better gameplay for better experiences. The shift from cutesy caravans to a crazy ride down Route 66 impacted the core mechanics, visual design, and character creation. The punk-rock, post-apocalyptic vibes of psychobilly gave the devs the perfect backdrop to create a horror masterpiece associated with car combat.
No development process is without hurdles, and according to the devs, the real challenge was narrowing down their feature set to fit within the time frame. With this huge vision in play, testing and creating a game that is functional, fun, and polished took time. Combined with the complexity of chain physics between vehicles, in adherence to the time frame and feature set, took a lot of work. But after some fine-tuning, the devs managed to create their preferred experience without compromising quality.
Of course, cut content exists for a reason, and some things had to be left on the cutting room floor. As the devs explained,
“We’re particularly hard-headed about not having to cut features, but originally we did want other Road Reapers (allies in the game) to be romanceable. They were visually designed with that in mind; in case any of them look a little flirty, that’s why. We encourage players to do whatever they want in their head canons though. You wouldn’t have been wrong if we had the time or budget for that feature.”
The Core of the Player Experience: The Birth of Scaravan 66
The blend of the notorious life-or-death risk of roguelike games promises intense action and the strategic depth players crave. With those features, Scaravan 66 is set to keep players on the edge of their seats. This isn’t just another car combat game but a unique game with a unique world that’s filled with personality.
The core of a game keeps players locked in. Whether it’s the mechanics of a game, rewarding challenges, world-building, or the characters who feel alive, Scaravan 66 is set to deliver something that keeps players coming back for more. For the developers, the most rewarding part of their journey on Route 66 has been bringing their vision to life.
