Sure thing, here it goes:
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Hey there! So, I’m Michael Frei. I’ve been working on this quirky little game called Time Flies. You get to be a fly. Yep, a fly. It’s buzzing your way to PlayStation 5 on July 31st! I remember when we first dropped news about it on the PlayStation Blog a few years back. Time has flown by, ha!
First thing you get to do is figure out where you’re playing from. That’s kinda important.
Check out this screen! Wild, right?
Okay, so if you’re chilling in Switzerland, the WHO says you’ve got about 83.3 years to live. But in our game? That’s 83.3 seconds. Cause you’re a fly, duh. Your mission? Tackle that bucket list before you kick the tiny fly bucket. If you’re in the U.S. of A., it’s 76.4 years—er, seconds. Whatever. Somehow it all feels more frantic.
Here’s your majestic fly-self taking flight.
This whole thing means some places in-game are more chill than others. Who would’ve thought?
### The Bucket List
What’s really worth doing in this short life? No easy answer, right? Luckily, the game hands you a list of must-dos. You just gotta figure out how to pull them off. It feels like life, and even if you crash and burn, you can always bounce back. Not that I’m advocating for wasting time—wait, maybe I am?
The hardest part of cooking up Time Flies was dreaming up what oddball stuff a fly can get into. My top pick? The “Find God” quest. Crazy, right? I won’t say how to pull it off, but seriously, it’s something you gotta experience.
Love this rough sketch. Classic.
### Step 1: Brainstorming Wild
Okay, ever played a game where you’re playing another game as a fly? Trippy, huh? The first idea was all about escaping from hell to heaven, but yeah, we hit a few snags. Couldn’t get my head around it.
### Step 2: Facing the Music
Being a fly means you can only smack one button at a time. All the action is flight stick magic. You bop around, hit stuff, maybe land a bit. No mad button combos here. It’s so simple, it kinda hurts your brain.
### Step 3: Getting It Right
The answer? Build a game with just three things: left-right pad and a start button. You don’t need to shoot for the stars—just peek both directions and wander off. Even if it’s super basic, maybe there’s more hiding there. A game within a game within a game. Fly-ception?
Hope you have a blast flitting around Time Flies when it hits PS5 this July 31st! 🖤