Playdead – developer of INSIDE and Limbo – have tweeted a teaser for their next game.

At first glance it appears to be quite similar to their previous two efforts. A muted palette, a silhouetted figure and scenery, minute details, all done in a painterly style.

The light/meteor/flare/UFO in the background looks especially similar to the loose brushstrokes of a painting. The character seems to be illustrated with a tighter style. Could Playdead be toying with the differences of light and darkness?

The character is wearing an enclosed helmet, what appears to be a one-piece jumpsuit, and pulling tattered material and line that could be the remnants of a parachute. It’s easy to assume at this point the character has landed on a planet. The bright light could be the ship they were piloting, or another character landing as well.

The sparseness of the terrain and the continued wearing of the helmet suggests an inhabitable or alien planet, while the character’s stance and weight of the parachute convey gravity. Based on the fantastical imagery Playdead has already conjured up on Earth environments, I can’t wait to see what they create on other planets.

2D, or not to 2D

Based on the side profile of the character and its raggedy belongings, I’d guess Playdead’s next game will feature the same side-scrolling mechanics of their first two. A third game done in a similar style could be worrisome coming from most developers, but Playdead is in a league of their own. INSIDE was indeed similar to Limbo but refined the formula into a masterpiece while extending the vision to mind-bending lengths.

There were six years between Limbo and INSIDE, so don’t expect a release anytime soon. Normally, I’d hope to see more info throughout development, but as far I’m concerned, Playdead can tell me when it’s done and take my money.

Does this teaser say anything differently to you?