As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for indie games that tell compelling stories, I found myself drawn to Camille and Laura at MIGS 2024 like a moth to a flame. This game, with its crayon art aesthetic and focus on single motherhood, is a breath of fresh air in an industry often dominated by epic adventures and cosmic battles.
2024 at MIGS found me stumbling upon some jaw-dropping game displays, brimming with colossal backdrops, cosmic dread, and robotic dinosaurs. Yet, nestled quietly in a corner, Montreal developer Olivier Bouchard was unveiling something unexpected: an indie game that follows the journey of a mother guiding her daughter through her first week at elementary school. There’s no looming mystery or shocking revelations here – just a heartfelt tale about one of life’s ordinary yet impactful moments.
What immediately caught my attention about the game is its unique visual aesthetic. The artwork appears as if it was drawn by a child using crayons, complete with the rough edges and uneven lines that give children’s art its genuine charm. Bouchard is very transparent about this design decision. “I’m not the most skilled artist,” he confesses, sharing how the style came from necessity as well as artistic vision. However, watching the game in action, it’s difficult to picture it appearing any differently.
Camille And Laura: The Charm Of Crayon Art
This small title carries a warmth that’s hard to describe. As a point-and-click adventure, it guides players through the steady pulse of daily life. Laura balances work, handles household tasks, and faces the constant quiet challenges of raising Camille alone. The game unfolds in Montreal, where conversations drift naturally between French and English, creating a sense of place that feels lived in rather than designed.
As a gamer, I navigate through my daily gameplay, making choices that range from the apparent to the subtly hidden in managing tasks effectively. Each decision I make, no matter how trivial it may seem, impacts Laura and Camille’s bond in subtle yet significant ways. Bouchard explains that excelling in specific mini-games will alter the storyline later on, but these changes feel organic rather than rigid or mechanical. Just like real-life parenting, there are moments that seem insignificant at first, only to reveal their importance much further down the line.
Initially, Bouchard was employed as an editor for children’s television programs before creating games. This background is evident in the way Camille and Laura handle their themes. Unlike games such as God of War and The Last of Us that portray parenthood through epic adventures, this game centers its narrative around everyday experiences, finding emotional depth in simple triumphs like surviving another day.
Small Victories, Big Stories
The project was made possible by financial support from the Canada Council for the Arts, enabling Bouchard to bring his concept of portraying “ordinary individuals facing ordinary challenges” to life. In a sector where many walking simulators culminate with profound cosmic disclosures, it takes courage to create a game that believes in the captivating potential of everyday existence.
What sets Camille and Laura apart is not only their emphasis on single motherhood, but how they handle this theme with authentic respect. The game acknowledges the burden of unpaid labor that predominantly affects women, the solitude that often accompanies single parenting, and the relentless nature of adult duties. However, it avoids transforming these difficulties into symbolic representations or challenges to be overcome in a traditional sense. Instead, they are portrayed as everyday struggles, faced one step at a time.
As I delve into the timeframe, this game roughly lasts an hour and a half to finish, immersing me in a realm where tiny triumphs and peaceful battles unfold. Amidst daily rituals like morning routines and nighttime tales, players can encounter a giraffe, enjoy a shared chuckle, or discover heartfelt connections. These aren’t mere side activities or additional features; they embody the essence of what makes parenthood truly meaningful.
Why Everyday Life Matters
Camille and Laura resonate deeply, unlike many games, as they highlight the significance of everyday life. Unlike games that delve into deep artistic or autobiographical themes, their unique appeal lies in emphasizing the importance of the mundane, a refreshing perspective in an industry often preoccupied with the extraordinary. Essentially, they communicate that the ordinary is also worth noticing and valuing.
2025 marks the initial release of this game exclusively on personal computers. Other platforms are being looked into as well. At present, a sneak peek into Laura and Camille’s universe can be found in the form of a demo on Steam.
As a gamer, I find myself peering into these humble digital worlds, where sometimes the most captivating tales unfold.
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2024-11-21 16:35