Defy Gravity, Touch the Sky in Piloteer

Piloteer , a new game from Fixpoint Productions , attempts to simulate the probable difficulty that one might have when trying to use a jetpack in real life.

, attempts to simulate the probable difficulty that one might have when trying to use a jetpack in real life. The main character is an inventor who is persuaded that jetpacks would be the ideal mode of transportation for most anyone; unfortunately, public sentiment does not share that opinion, and so the inventor sets out to change people’s minds.

The game takes place in a sketch-style world heavily inspired by the skyline of Chicago, which is the developer’s home base. Whitaker Trebella, the primary creator of Piloteer , was enraptured on a visit to the Chicago lakeshore, where he marveled at “the beautiful strong contrast between the nature around him and the buildings towering over him.” He sought to recreate the feelings in the world of Piloteer , “making the player feel as if they were opening a secret box and entering a fantastical environment.”

The game has deceptively simple controls, but may be more difficult than it appears. Integral to the adventure are both ragdoll physics and trick-based games, which are utilized in the sixty increasingly-challenging missions spread out over three distinct areas. The player must learn to fly with the jetpack, mastering balance, navigation, aerial stunts, and the ability to land gracefully. Failures will occur frequently as the player slowly gains aptitude. Progress is measured through rank, beginning at “Cadet” and going all the way up to full-fledged “Piloteer,” and completing the assorted missions will earn the player medals that are used to unlock new missions and areas. The missions themselves focus on things like collecting items, performing stunts, completing tasks in a time limit, and executing proper landings.

Piloteer launches today in the App Storefor all iOS devices, and is priced at $2.99 USD. The developers have plans to release it in the future for Android devices, as well as for PC gamers on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Learn more about what this developer of “truly artful products” has in store for indie gamers by looking them up on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.