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Before diving into an early version of Crescent County, I had no clue how a magical, motorized broomstick could translate so well into a game. Yet, here I was, soaring over the soft, rolling grasses of the Isle of Morah. I found myself instinctively charting routes from flower paths, finding that perfect mound to launch off of, and, suddenly, it didn’t seem so strange after all. As the leyline-powered boost vibrated through my controller, I thought, “This might work.”
Developed by Electric Saint, a duo consisting of Anna Hollinrake from Fall Guys and Pavle Mihajlović of Erica fame, Crescent County is a mix of open-world exploration, dating simulation, gig-economy delivery challenges, racing, and life simulation, all orbiting around the concept of the motorbroom. Despite the complexity of its elements, its creation wasn’t as chaotic as one might assume.
For years, Hollinrake has captured imaginations with her "witch-tech" paintings, and fans have been drawn to the vibrant, imaginative worlds she brings to life. Deciding to leave the AAA game development world, she teamed up with Mihajlović to bring one of these worlds to life digitally.
She shared, “At conventions or on social media, the most common feedback I get is people wishing they could step inside my paintings.” As an art generalist who’s worked various parts of art pipelines, her specialty lies in weaving captivating worldbuilding into her creations, which she now wanted to offer in a more immersive form. “I want players to feel at home in a crafted space that is both joyful and tinged with melancholy.”
Crescent County’s mechanics weren’t randomly thrown together; each one serves the overarching theme. From what I played, this is evident. As Lu, all activities revolve around the motorbroom. Arriving at the island, you enter a race only to settle into a courier role, meeting new friends (and potential love interests), decorating your apartment, and upgrading your broom to explore even further. In Crescent County, motorbrooms transcend being merely vehicles—they encapsulate a culture.
Hollinrake likens motorbroom racing to an underground sport, inspired by roller derby and the DIY nature of roller skating communities, which she’s deeply passionate about. “It’s about friends playfully challenging each other, not about grand events with spectators,” Mihajlović adds. Winning might divulge a secret or get you the edge on a new broom part, but you could just as easily decide to spend time getting closer to a friendly competitor.
What’s enticing about Crescent County is how intertwined activities are. You craft Lu’s life on the island through choices that ripple across your experiences—racing could spark romance, a delivery gig may yield home décor, and seemingly minor activities could influence the main game.
Hollinrake explains their approach to house decoration is about driving the story forward. Drawing from personal experiences in shared living situations, she elaborates on how even one piece of furniture affects social dynamics. It’s not just aesthetics; it’s about fostering community among your new friends—who might critique your culinary skills or lack of furniture, like a missing TV during a movie night.
Each game day brings fresh opportunities—whether you desire gossip, a specific broom enhancement, or simply because Rava promised her old, unattractive couch in exchange for herding sheep. You can take calculated plans or ride around and see where the day takes you.
Lu’s broom customization extends into performance as you decide how you wish to tackle challenges—speed, shortcuts, or gliding. With Sigil Stickers, you can add unique powers like a phase shift to edge out rivals or a rewind to correct your course.
Electric Saint seamlessly intertwines narrative and gameplay mechanics. As Mihajlović mentions, ID@Xbox has been instrumental in this endeavor, allowing them the creative freedom not typically found in larger studios.
With Crescent County set to expand further before its launch, the potential of this magical, mysterious game world feels right. You can already wishlist Crescent County, which will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
