In it's press kit, Snowman says that "Distant takes you on a wondrous voyage through pastel dreamscapes, to prevent a calamity from consuming the world you once knew. Along the way, you'll confront an inescapable past, and learn how much you're willing to sacrifice in your search for solace."

While vague about gameplay, Snowman told Kill Screen that Distant "focuses on the elegance of movement," and aims to "marry traditionally disparate concepts like 'zen play' and tight, satisfying challenge[s]." Thematically, it was guided by "that feeling of searching for home and trying to satiate the desire to belong," says Slingshot & Satchel's Megan Campbell, adding that the original title, Hiraeth, roughly translates to homesickness and grief for things past.

Snowman says that while it's publishing the game and acting as a "creative partner," it was originally conceived by Slingshot & Satchel. Nevertheless, it bears some similarities to Snowman's Alto's Adventure, the ski game with addictive gameplay, clever artwork and a zen-like soundtrack.