Exclusive: Unannounced Indie Toys To Life Game For 3DS/Potentially Switch (Patreon)

Moragami is an independent developer which, in the past, has focussed on digital games for Nintendo 3DS. Now, they're in the early phases of producing a unique toys to life action puzzle game for multiple platforms.

Unlike your average toys to life title, the toys in this project are planned to be fully optional. You should be able to access the entirety of the game's content without them.

The goal of each stage in the game is to hunt down and collect all the gems hidden around each level; a series of Mario Galaxy-esque planetoids. You can also lay down portals to jump around and reach otherwise inaccessible parts of the levels. Where the TTL element comes in is mostly linked to your main character. Using a fairly robust in-game editor, you will be able to design just about any shape/structure to use as a playable character. Each character is made up of volumetric pixels - small blocks that can be rearranged in an infinite amount of ways.

Here's where things get interesting. Once you're happy with your creation, you can then order a plastic figurine of it for a small fee from within the game. Your order will be sent to a third party 3D printing company in Europe who will make it as to your specifications. There are no set moulds, meaning there is plenty of creative freedom for players to come up with all sorts of bizarre pixel monsters. The figurines are relatively small (see the attached image) in order to cut down on costs. Not only can you use the editor to craft unusual creatures, you can use it to make objects that can be used in the game. Production on each figurine is estimated to take roughly a week to complete.

Once you have your figurine, you can then scan it into your game or a friend's to share it. The NFC figurines will be cross-compatible across all versions of the game. They're planning to release it on PC, 3DS eShop, iOS, and Android. The source which I've spoken to also hinted at a possible Nintendo Switch version coming in 2017.

It's certainly an ambitious concept. Let's see how Moragami's latest project pans out.