Defying the Odds: The Unlikely Success of Planet of Lana
The journey of Planet of Lana is a testament to the power of persistence in the face of overwhelming skepticism. While the final product is a polished masterpiece, its origins were defined by a lack of industry experience and a series of strategic choices that defied conventional wisdom.
A Bold Entry into a Crowded Market
Most industry veterans advise fledgling studios to begin with modest, low-risk projects to build their reputation. Wishfully Studios, the Swedish team behind the 2023 hit, chose the opposite path. Rather than starting with a simple mobile title or a small-scale puzzle game, they dove headfirst into a complex, cinematic adventure. This ambitious undertaking spanned six years of development-a massive commitment for a debut title.
Entering the platformer genre is notoriously difficult today. As Chris Wigley of 11-Bit Studios noted in a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the market is currently flooded with high-quality platformers. Standing out in such a saturated space requires more than just competence; it requires a unique hook that can cut through the noise of thousands of competing titles released annually on platforms like Steam.
From a Sluggish Prototype to Critical Acclaim
The path to success was far from linear. In fact, the studio’s initial attempts at pitching the game were met with hundreds of rejections. During a presentation at the Nordic Game conference, creative director Adam Stjärnljus candidly admitted that their early prototypes were far from impressive. The initial demo was rudimentary, featuring little more than a character walking back and forth across the screen.
Stjärnljus described the early build as “sluggish,” noting that the team’s initial production roadmap was disconnected from the realities of game development. By their own admission, the team was navigating the industry with a degree of naivety, lacking the established processes that usually guide a studio’s first project.
The Lesson in Persistence
Despite the initial lack of polish and the unrealistic timelines, the team’s dogged determination eventually paid off. The success of Planet of Lana serves as a reminder that while industry “best practices” exist for a reason, they are not the only path to victory. By iterating on their vision and refusing to abandon the project despite constant rejection, Wishfully Studios managed to transform a shaky, slow-moving prototype into one of the most visually striking and emotionally resonant platformers of the year.
