Laika: The Space Dog
Space Dog is a cozy puzzle-platformer following Laika, the first dog in orbit. Players explore a retro-futuristic space station, manipulating gravity with Laika's collar to collect components of her spacesuit along the way.
My Role
Game Designer:
Designed the core gameplay loop, mechanics, and puzzles
Programmer:
Implemented player movement, obstacles, and BARK/BARK+ system
Game Artist:
Animated player movement and created visual assets and environment tile sheet
Narrative Designer:
Wrote the story, dialogue, and suit descriptions
Cinematographer:
Edited and animated cutscenes and trailer in Adobe Premiere Pro
Historical Researcher:
Researched the real flight logs of Laika, other Soviet space animals, and Yuri Gagarin.
GRAVITY IS THE PUZZLE.
Gravity isn't just a mechanic in Laika. It's the foundation of every puzzle. Players must manipulate gravity, using their momentum and orientation, to navigate through each room of the Sputnik-Vostok spaceship.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY.
Players learn through gameplay, not just mechanics, but also about the other Soviet dogs that have been sent to space and the sacrifices made to get us to the moon.
Laika: The Space Dog is based on the real history of early spaceflight and the animals who paved the way. The player controls Laika, one of the famous "Soviet space dogs," who flew aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft in November 1957, cementing herself in history as the first living creature to orbit the Earth. Unfortunately, Laika was unable to return safely, passing away due to stress within the craft's fourth orbit around the Earth. Since her death, Laika has been colloquially dubbed the "Patron Saint of one-way trips."
Her in-game companion, Yuri Gagarin, similarly reached orbit in 1961 aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. Thankfully, Gagarin returned from his flight unharmed.
