GamesSimulationTiny GladeMaking Studio Ghibli buildings in cozy builder Tiny Glade gives me purposeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesSimulationTiny GladeMaking Studio Ghibli buildings in cozy builder Tiny Glade gives me purposeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Pounce Light, Studio Ghibli)
I started making these Ghibli buildings in the Tiny Glade demo on a whim. I’d had some time to get used to the controls and the countless easter eggs the devs have thrown in. There are just so many versatile tools to work with here, and although I’ve had to take some liberties due to the lack of fences, and no gable overhang, I’m actually quite proud of these.
Anyway, starting my cosy Ghibli Build series has got me wondering why I feel the need to have a goal in sandbox games.
Home sweet Studio Ghibli home
I made Ponyo’s house in Tiny Glade - YouTubeWatch On
I made Ponyo’s house in Tiny Glade - YouTube
I made Ponyo’s house in Tiny Glade - YouTube
Boundless creativity(Image credit: Future Friends Games)I built the most peaceful tiny homes in a cozy building sim that prioritizes creativity, and now I want to move in
Boundless creativity
(Image credit: Future Friends Games)I built the most peaceful tiny homes in a cozy building sim that prioritizes creativity, and now I want to move in
(Image credit: Future Friends Games)
I built the most peaceful tiny homes in a cozy building sim that prioritizes creativity, and now I want to move in
If you’ve ever challenged yourself to design a real-life city in Cities: Skylines, or followed along with a fan-made design challenge on The Sims (like thoseBerry simming challenges I was obsessed with), you’ll understand the need for self-imposed goals in a sandbox game. For those of us who flirt with the muses daily, it’s important to find somewhere to put all that excess creativity or we’ll simply shrivel up – at least it feels that way. Thankfully, freebuild games like Townscaper, or Tiny Glade give us that quick hit for channelling the creative urge without all the clean-up non-digital artforms come with. In one way they’re exceptionally freeing, but while games with unlimited creative freedom sound great in theory, all that choice can make you feel a little paralyzed. It’s the overwhelming fear of the blank page coming back to haunt me in game form.
If this is all sounding familiar just remember: there’s no shame in wanting a specific goal to work toward. There are entire gaming communities out there based around this goal-oriented sandbox habit. I’ve always loved that players will rally together to give each other direction in playing with what’s ostensibly a digital toy.
With clear prompts like “Make some Studio Ghibli buildings”, that spooky blank canvas becomes a roadmap – something to be accomplished. It keeps us from feeling adrift in an ocean of possibilities. And when you finally hit those little creative goals you’d set for yourself, it feels like you haven’t just wasted two hours when you could have been doing housework (shhh). It’s testament to how adept you are at using a limited toolset to design something beautiful, and you’ll often surprise yourself using it in unexpected ways.
(Image credit: Pounce Light, Studio Ghibli)
Freebuild games like Townscaper, or Tiny Glade give us that quick hit for channelling the creative urge.
Freebuild games like Townscaper, or Tiny Glade give us that quick hit for channelling the creative urge.
If my Game Design Masters course taught me one thing, it’s that a solid framework and light limitations really encourage players to think outside the box. It might sound counterintuitive but, with the right mindset and a good set of tools, restrictions actually have the power to improve the creative process. Even in its limited demo state, Tiny Glade has so much potential for improvised wonders. I mean, take for example this player who’s been usinglamp-posts as raised walkways. It’s amazing what people can do with a little creative licence.
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The Tiny Glade devs understand that people like us want goals for their little builder, so they’ve been driving engagement with prompts like #TinyHouseonaHill and #TinyWizardTower, to give their players little creative goals while they wait for the full release. The fact that the game just slipped past the million wishlist mark goes to show it’s working.
Check out some of thebest city builder gamesto play next
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