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A key creative force behind a legendary franchise has unveiled his return into game development. The upcoming game, called Coven of the Chicken Foot, signifies the first release for his development house, Wildflower Interactive, and it will build on his past achievements centered around dynamic AI partners.

Introducing a Novel Adventure Game Concept

Revealed at the 2025 Game Awards, Coven of the Chicken Foot functions as an adventure game blending puzzles and platforming. The game follows a seasoned spellcaster, a hero that defies typical power fantasies. The foundational premise stemmed from a desire to deconstruct what it means to be a protagonist.

"Imagine if you didn’t have traditional weapons? What if your character was physically limited? What if you’re a little old lady?" mused the creative lead. "I thought it was deeply interesting to think about the essence of heroism. A hero is about fighting your way through obstacles, but also encompasses selflessness and unwavering will."

A Living, Learning Partner Inspired by Past Work

Although this project looks different at first glance, its core innovation evolves from of the work pioneered in The Last of Us. This whole endeavor sprang from a central inquiry: "Is it possible to design an AI partner even more reactive and adaptive in response to the user?"

The companion creature that accompanies Gertie is far from a scripted follower. The director likens it to a curious child that reacts in three key stages. To begin with, it exhibits curiosity, resulting in playful hijinks. Then, it enters a playful state. Ultimately, it watches and learns grasping cause and effect.

• For example: When the partner witnesses the witch solving a puzzle, it learns the motion without knowing the purpose.
• This leads it to begin grabbing random objects and test fitting them, copying the action.
• True comprehension arrives when it stumbles upon solving an obstacle, creating a genuine learning moment.

A Personal, Player-Driven Narrative

This complex system is designed to create a unique story for each player. Straley stresses that Coven of the Chicken Foot will be a slower-paced, exploration-driven experience rather than a traditionally structured narrative.

"Each effort to insert more hardcore story beats for this project, the magic dissipated," he stated. "The core appeal of this relationship stems from how you as a player experiences personal anecdotes and outcomes compared to my playthrough."

By prioritizing organic narrative born from interaction, this upcoming game signifies both a continuation and a significant shift from the director’s iconic past work. This adventure remains being built for computer systems.