A life simulator isn’t complete without a dynamic cast of NPCs that the player can get to know, befriend, and, in many cases, fall for, andStarsand Islandis no exception. However, the cozyindie game, which is currently in development by Seed Lab, has a twist not often seen in the genre.Starsand Island’sintricate relationship system allows its NPCs to not just get closer to the player, but also interact with one another as they go about their relaxing lives on the titular island. In addition, they don’t just automatically like the player: each NPC makes their own choices about when to deepen the relationship and how to express it.
“From the initial design phase, we established a core principle of realism,” saidStarsand Islandtechnical producer Golton Gao in a conversation with Game Rant. Inspired byThe Simsseries, where NPCs can bond with each other and aren’t simply limited to interacting with the player, Gao and his team wanted to ensure thatStarsand Island’scast of characters felt dynamic and alive. “Every NPC processes environmental cues and player behavior signals to perceive in-world interactions… Upon detecting events, NPCs evaluate their interest level and priority to determine whether and how to respond.”
NPCs Spend Time With Each Other And Develop Friendships
As players spend more time on Starsand Island, they will grow closer to its many residents and may even have the opportunity to invite a romantic partner to live in their house with them if they so choose. However, the NPCs will also spend time with one another while the player is going about their day, adding the realism Gao and the team sought to the dynamics of thecozy island community.
“When designing the behaviors and schedules of NPCs, and even small animals, we carefully considered their individual personalities and relationships,” Gao explained. NPCs are not just a set of identical beings that all act and behave exactly the same. They have schedules, habits, hobbies, friendships, and more. This doesn’t just apply to the island’s human residents—for example,capybaras have been shown to enjoy riding on chickensand participating in races.
Gao explained the interactions NPCs can have with one another inStarsand Islandin greater detail:
“We focused on highlighting key interactions that reinforce their character traits and enhance the game’s atmosphere. For example, NPCs greet each other and engage in conversations. Those who enjoy animals may pet or feed them, while gaming enthusiasts might invite each other to play at the arcade.”
Some Relationship Steps Occur When NPCs Choose
Of course, the relationships between the game’s NPCs and the player are at the heart ofStarsand Island,as they are in manyfarming and life simulator games. However,Starsand Islandis unique in that not every relationship step is taken by the player. Some are player-motivated: it is their choice, for example, if they want to move an NPC into their home, which is the game’s equivalent of marriage. But other times, it will be the NPC who takes that step forward, as Gao explained:
“NPCs will address the player with increasingly familiar and affectionate terms…[and] NPCs may initiate certain actions, such as writing love letters, giving gifts, or inviting players to share special moments.”
If a player chooses to form a romantic relationship with an NPC and invite them to move into their home, it will truly feel like an honor they have earned, because they spent time getting to know the NPC and both sides chose to deepen the relationship. The depth and dynamic nature ofStarsand Island’srelationship system have produced a cast ofwell-rounded NPCsthat players can truly become attached to—and perhaps even fall for—as they enjoy their relaxing island life.
