I’m Tom Beardsmore, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Coatsink Software. Co-Founder Paul Crabb and I established Coatsink in late 2009. Early on, our studio developed a few mobile titles including Pinch and Fatty as we continued to expand the size of our team. We’re now a team of 12 developers and in recent years we have pushed forward and began to develop PC/console games. In 2013, we met another indie team called Secret Lunch and decided to help them out on upcoming PlayStation title: Shu!

Shu was originally conceived by our friends at Secret Lunch. However, in order to make the game a reality and bring it to Playstation platforms, we decided to go into development partnership together. In building the concept, we really liked the idea of a colorful world juxtaposed with a sinister villain; the idea of saving relics of your past and present, and moving through the remnants of earlier civilizations. In gaming, our inspirations are classics like Klonoa and Abe’s Oddysee (to name a few).

Shu is a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer, where the player can harness the unique abilities of a group of unusual and adorable hand-drawn characters. A deadly storm has forced villagers to seek refuge across the land, but many have become trapped. Your journey will take you across savannah and through forests, all the way to the very peak of a desolate mountain.

As you (Shu) climb your way to the top with the storm hot on your heels, you will happen across these stranded villagers. Take them by the hand (or beard) and guide them to safety while harnessing their unique abilities. Keep an eye out for the sinister storm, because if it catches you, it’ll snatch your companions away one at a time. You’ll then lose them and their abilities for good, so it’s wise to stay on your toes. Fortunately, there can be more than one way to survive. Can you outrun the end of the world?

We’re aiming to release the game on PS4, PS3, and PS Vita by the middle of 2015. Stay tuned here and at our website for updates.