Role and Contributions:

Production

Developed the production plan and milestones, defined the critical path, and established the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to guide the project’s success.

Game Design

As the sole game designer, created engaging game loops, a balanced economy, interactive mini-games, and meaningful quests for casual players.

Level Design & Art

Designed the village layout, including houses and gardens, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing environment.

Project Management

Oversaw task distribution, maintained an up-to-date backlog, and ensured the project remained on schedule and within budget constraints throughout production.

Designing Sunrise Roots

Focused on creating a mobile-first experience, prioritizing accessibility and intuitive interaction. Designed gameplay to be relaxing and cooperative, fostering a sense of community and enjoyment. Developed game loops to deliver meaningful gameplay within 3-minute sessions while also supporting extended play for more engaged players.

Team and contributors

• Technical Art: Benjamin Cid Pérez
• Lead 3D Artist: Casilda de Zulueta
• Concept Art: Carlos Cervantes
• Concept Art + UI: Sylvia Ulloque
• UI and Asset Art: Nicole Stegmann
• Story & Text: Rüdiger Brandis
• Story & Text: Joshua Astbury
• CTO: Daniel Nienhaus
• Lead Programming: Raheel Yawar
• Programming: Manuel Ott
• Concept Art: Sarah Netz

Core Game Loop

At the heart of Sunrise Roots is a rewarding and cozy gameplay cycle:

• Gather Resources: Explore the village and its surroundings by foraging, harvesting crops, and completing mini-games.
• Create Food: Use gathered resources to craft delicious meals and snacks.
• Complete Weekly Missions: Fulfill tasks for the villagers or the tree spirit to earn rewards.
• Earn and Customize: Unlock decorative items through missions. These items can be sold, gifted to other players, or used to personalize the protagonist’s home.

This engaging loop allows players to find joy in creativity, exploration, and choice, while shaping the future of a once-thriving community.

Story Setup

In Sunrise Roots, the protagonist returns to their grandparents’ village—a place once filled with joy, diversity, and a thriving community gathered around a majestic, ancient tree. However, what was once a lively haven now feels like a shadow of its former self. The grandparents’ home stands abandoned, the village appears eerily smaller, and the once-vibrant giant tree looks withered and frail.

As the protagonist gazes at the tree, a tree spirit emerges, greeting them warmly and sparking memories of childhood play. The spirit reveals a troubling truth: the corporate food giant “Disgusto” has introduced a vending machine offering convenient, pre-made meals. Gradually, the villagers became reliant on this machine, losing their connection to one another and the natural rhythm of their community.

Now, it’s up to the player to decide the future of the village. Will they reconnect with the community, revitalize the tree, and restore the spirit of the town? Or will the lure of convenience dominate, leaving the village’s fate uncertain?

Story Progression

The narrative unfolds dynamically through gameplay and interactions with the villagers. Players shape the village’s destiny by choosing to build relationships, foster community spirit, and nurture the tree—or lean into the ease and isolation of the vending machine’s offerings. The game embraces player choice, allowing a blend of approaches to suit individual playstyles.