Peak

"So, I assume the task is to climb that giant peak up there."

I look at the mountain and tell Bennett Foddy he is correct. The creator of Getting Over It and co-developer of Baby Steps has agreed to my unusual journalistic request. He must conquer a mountain in co-op climbing game Peak and answer my questions while doing it. And he won't be ascending alone. With us on the beach at the foot of this mountain are two other hardened developers of climbing games. Holly Jencka, lead developer of urban clambering sim White Knuckle. And Emeric Thoa, creative director of sci-fi alpine sim Cairn. They are currently rummaging through suitcases and collecting coconuts. I don't say it out loud but I have a strong feeling none of them will survive.

After messing about on the beach for a few minutes, I tell the trio they're "on their own". I'll be following, but mostly hanging back and asking questions. I want to see how three developers of climbing games will manage when faced with a mountain not of their own making. Maybe we'll uncover gems of game design wisdom along the way. Maybe we'll just plummet to our doom.