The Story Behind ‘Exhausted Man’ – An Absurd Sitcom Game About True Fatigue

Life is exhausting. Whether it’s the daily grind, unfinished chores, or simply the weight of responsibilities, we’ve all felt that crippling fatigue where standing up seems impossible. The upcoming game Exhausted Man encapsulates this sentiment in a humorous and relatable way. Developed by Candleman Games, this “absurd sitcom” game will be available from July 25, 2024, on several major platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC via Steam.

How It All Began: A Burst of Inspiration at a Game Jam

The inception of Exhausted Man is rooted in a seemingly simple concept: exhaustion. Candleman Games co-founder Gao Ming shares that the idea sprouted during a 48-hour game jam—a creative event where participants develop a game within a short period. Ming always considered such events a great way to unwind, and it was during one of these that he landed on the theme of “running out of energy.” This sparked the creation of a character who was perpetually tired, slumped on a couch.

After posting a screenshot of this lethargic character, the overwhelming positive response was not due to graphical prowess but the relatable exhaustion the figure conveyed. Ming quickly realized he had something special. But a character can’t remain sedentary on a couch forever; he needed to move. Given the level of fatigue being depicted, standing up wasn’t an option, so Ming made him crawl.

From Ladybugs to Caterpillars: Perfecting the Crawl

Humans, by nature, aren’t adept crawlers, particularly on walls. To solve this, the development team studied bugs. A ladybug served as the initial inspiration for the character’s head maneuvering, but a longer body like a caterpillar became necessary to balance the crawling mechanism.

The team developed a unique feature they called “caterpillar bones,” which allowed the character’s body to anchor onto surfaces aptly. This innovative approach led to a fluid and somewhat comical movement style that made the crawling animation a focal point of the game.

Soft as Noodles: Aesthetic Choices

The original design of the character had bendy arms and legs divided into two sections, keeping a somewhat human form. However, promotional artwork drawn by the team’s artist led them to reimagine the character with more flexibility. They decided to break each limb into smaller segments, giving the character noodle-like flexibility. This decision resonated well with the theme of exhaustion and added an extra layer of humor to the gameplay.

Variable Energy States and Their Impact

One unique aspect of Exhausted Man is the protagonist’s variable energy states. Completing tasks like eating can increase energy levels, making the character faster and stronger. Stresses like fixing a game bug, however, have the opposite effect, leaving the protagonist haggard and exuding yawn bubbles that might even knock him out. Despite these varying states, one thing remains constant: the character never stands up.

Watch the Trailer

Get a sneak peek into the whimsical and absurd world of Exhausted Man:

Why We Need Games Like Exhausted Man

In a world where everyone is perpetually busy and exhausted, Exhausted Man offers a humorous yet raw reflection of modern life’s exhausting nature. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we all feel like crawling instead of standing. The unique premise, coupled with its relatable theme, makes it a game worth looking forward to.

Mark the Date

Come July 25, 2024, brace yourselves for a game that lets you lie down on the job—literally. Exhausted Man by Candleman Games will crawl onto PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam. Get ready to experience a night in the life of the most hilariously exhausted protagonist you’ll ever control.

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