Upcoming point-and-click adventure game Neyyah is set to evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia with its design, despite being a modern creation. Developed by solo creator Aaron Gwynaire under the Defy Reality Entertainment banner, Neyyah draws inspiration from classic games like Myst and Riven, intentionally harking back to a simpler era in PC gaming.
“With a game like Neyyah, it’s pre-rendered and it’s point and click. Being completely honest, it’s probably not going to feel as immersive as if it was real-time,” Gwynaire told ScreenHub. “But the cool thing about pre-rendered is … it really captures light in a very realistic way … even though it’s point and click and you’re clicking to move through the world, the environments feel so real.”
Building Neyyah Brick by Brick
Gwynaire’s journey into game development was deeply influenced by the games of the 1990s, which first sparked his love for creating. He recounted a pivotal moment watching a behind-the-scenes feature on how Cyan made Myst. “I thought ‘wow, this is such a cool way, of how they did it.’ It’s a very simplistic way, where they were pre-rendering the artwork, so it was just images, you would click to move forward,” Gwynaire said. “That really appealed to me. And then I got into more of the game dev thing, and I found how my interests in art and music and storytelling could all combine together.”
Over the years, Gwynaire taught himself game design and 3D modeling, starting with simple structures and gradually moving to complex environments. His early work culminated in a demo for a game called Portals: Journey to the Pearl Islands. After relocating from the UK to Australia, Gwynaire pursued various creative projects, eventually leading to the inception of Neyyah in 2018.
“I take inspiration from the places I’ve lived, as well as the environments,” Gwynaire explained. “Even though I take the inspiration from Myst and Riven, I use my own story and background to really pull from that, to make it quite unique to the game … A lot of its roots stem from being in Australia, especially the environments, being so warm and so sunny.”
Nostalgia as a Powerful Inspiration
As Neyyah’s development progressed, Gwynaire began sharing his work online, initially not expecting it to become a full-time endeavor. However, his passion resonated with audiences, garnering 2,000 wishlists on Steam through grassroots marketing efforts. This caught the attention of David Lagettie, CEO of game publisher MicroProse, who appreciated the game’s nostalgic approach.
“The main thing [was] the passion for the game,” Gwynaire said. “For me, it’s a huge passion project. It’s huge creating not just the game, for me, but it’s being inside this world and discovering it for myself, and then being able to pull that out, and bring it to everyone else … I think it gives you more enthusiasm, more passion, more motivation to keep going [when you have that support].”
Nostalgia serves as a vehicle for reminiscing with rose-colored lenses, allowing players to forget the technological limitations of the past and instead revel in the simplicity and charm of early PC gaming. Neyyah aims to transport players back to a time when point-and-click adventures were at their peak, offering a unique blend of classic and modern gaming experiences.
Pushing Neyyah Out the Open Door
With the core of Neyyah solidified around nostalgia and memory, the years of development flew by. Gwynaire continuously refined the game, adapting to technological advancements and incorporating new ideas. After seven years of work, Neyyah is finally ready for release.
“It’s a bit of sacrifice,” Gwynaire admitted. “I’ve been at this game now for so long, I feel like I want to push this baby out into the world.”
Looking ahead, Gwynaire is already contemplating new projects, although he plans to take a break after Neyyah’s release. This pause will allow him to appreciate his work’s fruition and consider Neyyah’s potential legacy.
“Even a month ago, I’d say, ‘wow, it would be so cool just to feel like the game is finished,’” Gwynaire reflected. “You’ve still got this to do, and this to do, and suddenly, it kind of happens really quickly. You get to that point where it comes down to other feedback – QA, very little bugs … You kind of get reassurance from other people, and that gives you the boost. That blows away all the possible doubts you have in your mind.”
Neyyah is currently set to launch for PC on 2 September 2025, marking the culmination of Gwynaire’s dedication and passion for game development. As players prepare to embark on this nostalgic journey, the game stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic point-and-click adventures.
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