Parallel - Think Twice

Parallel is a stylish and challenging 2D puzzle-platformer. As a co-founder and developer at my indie studio, Polymad Games, I was deeply involved in the entire creation process, from initial concept to its successful launch on the Nintendo Switch. This project represents my first hands-on experience managing the full lifecycle of a console game, developed by our studio and published by 34BigThings.

The game

A stylish neon puzzle platformer where you control two characters at the same time. You will need dexterity, planning, and timing, to guide the two luminous squares efficiently. Split your brain in half to make it to the end of the level!

Parallel is also about friendship and synergy. Have a friend join in, and cooperate to get through the hardest levels.

• An original side scroller where two characters, living in separate universes, help and depend on each other without ever being in contact.

• Single player and co-op mode: each player needs only one Joy-Con™ to play. Use both Joy-Con™ to play alone.

• 30+ levels. Hours of guaranteed fun!

• Tons of time challenges and bonus levels to discover!

My Role & Contributions

This project required me to wear many hats. My core responsibilities were diverse and integral to shaping the final product:

• Level Design: I structured and built the game's levels from the ground up, designing the puzzles and platforming challenges to create a balanced and engaging difficulty curve.

• Game & Systems Design: I contributed significantly to the core gameplay mechanics, character abilities, and overall game feel.

• UI/UX Design: I designed the user interface, including menus, in-game HUD, and tutorials, to ensure a clean, intuitive, and visually cohesive experience for the player.

• Marketing & Publishing: I created the official game trailer used for the Nintendo eShop. Crucially, this was my first experience preparing and managing all the required assets and documentation for the Nintendo publishing pipeline, from submission to final release.

Solution & Impact

Parallel is a testament to the dedication of a small indie team. The game challenges players to control two characters simultaneously, navigating intricate, split-screen puzzles. My work in level design was focused on maximizing this unique mechanic, creating scenarios that are both mentally stimulating and satisfying to solve.

Successfully navigating the Nintendo eShop submission process was a major learning experience and a significant achievement. The result of our team's hard work is a polished, well-received puzzle game on a major console platform. This project showcases my ability to contribute to creative game design, technical level implementation, and the practical business of marketing and publishing a title.