The people and the idea
Behind the game
About Novemtails
Novemtails is the independent game development label of Roberto Ortiz, a game programmer based in Mexico and the solo developer behind Under Canopies. Working alongside nine cats, he creates games with a focus on craft, atmosphere and interactive detail.
Roberto has worked with teams including Estación Pi, Amber Studio, 1SimpleGame, Macula Interactive and Jettelly. He is also the creator of Game Publishers, a reference site cataloging game publishers for developers and industry professionals.
A different kind of survival
Under Canopies began with a desire to explore a calmer side of survival crafting. Roberto wanted progress to come from understanding, patience and care. Planting, cooking, building and observing wildlife became ways to encourage players to slow down and feel present.
As a solo-developed project, its systems, atmosphere and pacing are shaped around the same idea of living alongside nature. Feedback from the Steam Next Fest demo helped shape the game, and community feedback will continue to inform development during Early Access.
About Early Access
The current version includes exploration, gathering, crafting, cooking, shelter building and decoration, photography, hidden letters and animal interactions. The narrative conclusion and further content are still in development. See the Steam page for current details.