The Collage Atlas, a labor of love crafted by designer John Evelyn, is now available on Steam. This dreamlike storybook adventure, meticulously hand-drawn by Evelyn, immerses players in a world where every tiny flower, insect, towering building, and drifting cloud is brought to life through intricate pen and ink illustrations. As players explore this enchanting realm, the environments respond dynamically, unfolding the game’s mesmerizing narrative.

“I couldn’t walk away from the pen and ink thing,” Evelyn reveals. His unique approach involves drawing directly with ink, embracing the incidental details and happy accidents that arise. This technique, akin to improv music, occasionally goes awry but often yields surprising and delightful results, forming the cornerstone of The Collage Atlas’s artistic experience.

Attention to detail is paramount

In this game, attention to detail is paramount. At the beginning, a pinwheel emerges from a grassy plain; a simple gaze causes it to spin, inviting players into the interactive world Evelyn envisioned. Originally conceived as an app to accompany a picture book, the project evolved, exploring themes of agency and disempowerment amidst life’s chaotic moments.

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Evelyn recounts how everything “clicked into place” when the pinwheel spun, symbolizing the meaningful impact of one’s presence in the world, even through mere observation. This profound realization guided the development of The Collage Atlas, transforming it from a personal art project into a fully-fledged game showcased at the Leftfield Collection at UK gaming convention EGX in 2016.

Despite initial intentions to keep it as a small art experience, the positive reception and curiosity from “business-type people” at the show encouraged Evelyn to expand the project. Over the next four years, he poured his heart into creating a game that offers a deeply absorbing experience lasting several hours. Utilizing his background in Flash game development, freelance illustration, and music production, Evelyn also ventured into new territories, mastering Unity to bring his 2D illustrations into a 3D world.

After nearly five years of development, The Collage Atlas debuted on Apple Arcade in 2020, only to be delisted in 2023 when its exclusivity ended. Determined to preserve his work, Evelyn re-launched the game on Steam, ensuring it remained accessible to players. Reflecting on the impermanence of digital media, he emphasizes the importance of keeping creative works available.

Initially considering a break from game development after The Collage Atlas, Evelyn found himself inspired again within six months. He began working on his next project, The Wings of Sycamore, a hand-drawn spiritual successor to The Collage Atlas, exploring themes of flight and the joy of rising above challenges.

With The Collage Atlas now on Steam, players can dive into Evelyn’s beautifully crafted world, experiencing the artistic and emotional journey that has captivated audiences since its inception.