Our Hikers can be a bit mysterious. They don't have names (though we love hearing players' names for them), and we don't like giving them backstories that aren't discoverable in the game through conversation. Each Hiker definitely has their own personality, interests, and vibe though. We'd love to introduce them to you! [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/ebbd740145b85887cde7b418712c16af/898826089833a0cd-e5/s1280x1920/e22927bbfeaa84ef4ebac4478617ccfbdf5da33d.pnj[/img] A good place to start would be with the first Hiker we modelled for Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between. They were an entirely new Hiker (not one of the 6 Original Hikers featured in First Drive). As you may glean from their kin list here, this Hiker has a love of the natural world and science, but one that they'd rather experience through a glowing monitor than in person. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/ecf40bd9928fbea1182ee834a6d934fd/898826089833a0cd-29/s1280x1920/358592eb612e1063e499083c2fccf02978b377b8.gifv[/img] Still, being so intimately connected to technology means that they are acutely aware of the pitfalls, problems, and outstanding questions that all of our technological advances leave us with. They'd love to get your take on it all, if you find them for a chat during commercial breaks. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/8f7fee4686aefbd8c7cedf8afc3c88a8/898826089833a0cd-2b/s1280x1920/bd6042f4b2ae1176a600134180b1db8fc8492d18.pnj[/img] In their earlier design, we considered giving them a bit more of a volatile temper. In the original design, along with the yelling animation, this Hiker was to have an inner ring of rotating teeth that you would see when staring down their lens. We'd hate to add to negative cyborg stereotypes though, so later iterations had more of a subtle kind of snark than rage-filled murderbot vibes. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/fcf12619da23316181ba92668533d383/898826089833a0cd-d0/s1280x1920/d01a0fa3a9d6ed4a5558311befc312af3ee3bd11.pnj[/img] As you've probably noticed, one of this Hiker's defining features is the retro TV that they have for a hand. They use this device in the ways most of us use our cellphones; to learn, to connect with people, to watch their nature documentaries, and as a multipurpose tool like a flashlight, a beacon, and a mirror. Some more subtle features would be the comfy grey blanket they wrap around themselves over their PJ pants and black shirt. Their face is a camera lens. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/56d872828a03671b0a9f229524c55835/898826089833a0cd-b2/s1280x1920/41fc1ba89faf6422fad63aab167d3e2c856690dc.pnj[/img] As they were the first character that we generated a 3D model for, their design was where we really figured out the lowpoly style of Glitchhikers. Starting out with this very smooth plastic look, we decided on a need for more texture and geometric elements. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/d6610d112a0a835ed83756d8b9669766/898826089833a0cd-77/s540x810/57afa04dcb734c1ec9921becf7b701a2cae26df8.pnj[/img] Along with the general environments of Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between, the characters were remade into this triangle-heavy geometric figures. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/6388634b98465e3603d7605e1160c803/898826089833a0cd-26/s1280x1920/3b3243bc50866a8d73333571abaed41a1f1b94fc.pnj[/img] [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/7a5a618d84d4b26224cc8f6cc71b3654/898826089833a0cd-79/s1280x1920/c237e64846f2a7246a938affb93a2bd92a0e996d.pnj[/img] We also had some ways to go to figure out the final look of the glitching that occurs throughout the game. We wanted the atmosphere of the game to be chill and inviting, while still surreal and dreamlike. Some of the earlier attempts definitely fell on the "horror" or unsettling side of the line though. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/cb5034d8a5018aa24439f3dd45bd468f/898826089833a0cd-c9/s1280x1920/59643f2b61dee58a360a7dd3b9ae0a79480bc8c0.pnj[/img] Here is their Agender pride flag poster that we first tweeted out for Pride month 2022. [img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/5a1f6fa986dc24a2151ebeb99ee9c4df/898826089833a0cd-db/s1280x1920/f93b57932c515d3ed5b918d49489df8c9247a6b8.pnj[/img] You can meet this Hiker on The Highway, The Path, or The Terminal. Keep your eyes peeled for the glowing screen of their hand.