Sure, here’s a reimagined version of that article with a more human touch:
Hey there! I’m Michael Frei. I’ve been brain-deep in this quirky game, Time Flies. It’s all about living the chaotic life of a fly, and guess what? It’s fluttering onto PlayStation 5 on July 31st. If you caught wind of this on the PlayStation Blog awhile back, well, it’s finally dropping soon.
So, you’re a fly. But wait, before you start buzzing around, the game wants to know where you’re coming from.
Okay, here’s the deal. If you’re chilling in Switzerland, congrats, you get 83.3 seconds. Why? Because according to WHO, that’s your life expectancy in years. Flies are speedy little things, though. In the US? Just 76.4 seconds to live your best life.
This whole thing makes the game weirdly harder or easier based on where you’re playing from. Mind-boggling, right?
A Bucket List
So, what do you even do as a fly before you, well, die? Honestly, it’s a tough cookie. But don’t sweat it; the game’s got you with a bucket list. Figure it out, do the thing, and squeeze it all in one fly-lifetime. Feels impossible at first, but you get the hang of it with some trial and error. Live, die, repeat or something like that.
Creating Time Flies was a roller coaster. We scratched our heads about what flies actually do. “Find God” is my favorite list item, no spoilers here — just a fun tease.
Step 1: Brainstorming
Alright, picture this: you’ve played a gazillion games, but have you ever been a fly within a game within a game? Trippy, right? And hey, what if you’re on a mission to Find God? It was going to be this platformer where you escape hell and soar to heaven. Hit a snag, though.
Step 2: Facing Limitations
Here’s the hiccup: you only get one button at a time as a fly. Everything’s on flight stick controls, you bop around, land, and kinda interact. But forget fancy button combos — no can do. Just hover, land, and stride.
Step 3: Nailing It
So, here’s what we did. We crafted this bare-bones game reliant on three inputs: left-right pad and a starter button. No celestial climb needed to Find God, just peek both ways and choose your path (left is cool too). And if it seems too basic, hang tight. There’s a sneaky game within the game — a fly in a game within a game in a game. Yep, a fly inception moment!
Hope you’re ready to dive in and have a blast as a fly in Time Flies on PS5, come July 31! 🖤