Guide
How to get a custom video game made about someone, step by step
A custom video game about a real person is an unusual gift, in the best way: nobody sees it coming. To get it right you need two things, the stories you tell us and the moment you give it. This guide covers both.
From 59 € · You get it within 7 days of completing the guide (72 h with Rush).
The demo is the game of Grandad Ray, a made-up grandad turning 70.
What it is, exactly
A retro 16-bit game, like those of the early-nineties consoles, where the main character is a real person: the one you choose. Their places become the maps, their people become the characters and their stories become the plot.
It's short and memorable, 15 to 25 minutes: adventure chapters, action minigames, a few hidden secrets and a final boss. It opens from a private link on a phone, a computer or a TV, with nothing to install.
Step 1: gather the stories
You don't need to write well. What we need are details: the line they always say, what drives them mad, their favourite food, the place they're happiest, the story they tell at every dinner.
Tip: ask two or three people close to them. Each remembers different things, and the best moments of the game usually come from combining them.
Their lines
What they always say. It ends up in the characters' mouths.
Their people
Partner, friends, family, pets. Each can be a character.
Their places
Home, neighbourhood, work, hometown. They become the maps.
Step 2: choose the edition
Adventure (59 €) is their personalized game: about 15 minutes and 3 chapters. Celebration (89 €) has 4 or 5 chapters, party mode to pass the controller on the TV, more characters, more secrets and a soundtrack in their style: the one to choose if it'll be played in a group. The Special commission (from 179 €) is for groups and big moments, with several main characters or a longer story. Prices are in euros, VAT included.
If the date is close, 72-hour rush delivery adds +40 €.
Step 3: approve the script
You start free: tell us their story with the guide (about 10 minutes) and pay at the end, once you've seen how it looks. Before building it we show you the script: if it doesn't convince you, we refund 100 %.
The script shows what happens in each chapter, who appears and what they say. You can correct, add or remove anything before we build it.
Step 4: choose the moment
The game works solo but shines with an audience. If you can be together, put it on the TV: a laptop with HDMI or phone screen mirroring is enough. Let the person play while everyone else watches, because they'll recognise themselves too.
If you're far apart, send the link with a short message and don't over-explain. The surprise is seeing their name on the title screen.
What the recipient needs
Just the link. No install, no account, no gaming skills: four arrows and one button, or on-screen buttons on a phone. The link is private and doesn't appear in search engines.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to tell you their story?
About 10 minutes in our guided questionnaire, which saves itself: you can stop halfway and continue another day, even on another device.
Can I ask for changes once it's built?
Yes: every edition includes rounds of changes (1 for Adventure, 2 for Celebration and 3 for the Special commission).
Who would yours be for?
From 59 € · You get it within 7 days of completing the guide (72 h with Rush).
The demo is the game of Grandad Ray, a made-up grandad turning 70.
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