Constructing Lab Rat: Gwen Frey Discusses Wit, Strategy, and Laser Challenges

Gwen Frey, a seasoned veteran in the gaming world with experiences working on big-name titles like BioShock Infinite and The Flame in the Flood, has a fresh new offering for gamers: Lab Rat. This satirical sci-fi puzzle game is now available on Xbox and puts players head-to-head with an overly confident AI named S.A.R.A., designed to keep you on your toes.

Lab Rat serves up more than 100 meticulously crafted puzzles, filled with sharp wit and unexpected depth. Behind the curtain, I had the chance to chat with Gwen about the intricacies of designing puzzles, the experience of working on this project from scratch, and the unique challenge of voicing nearly all the game’s characters herself.

Corey: Let’s start with S.A.R.A. This AI is a big part of Lab Rat, known for its keen intelligence and relentless focus on metrics. It seems to embody the isolation felt during lockdown, expressing humor and tension in equal measure. Did S.A.R.A. come to life as the game evolved, or was she envisioned after the puzzles were in place?

Gwen: S.A.R.A. and the gameplay grew together quite organically. Initially, my puzzle designer and I felt like lab rats ourselves, working on a new puzzle system during lockdown. Everything in the game reflects this theme; you see it in puzzles, character animations, and even the electrifying blocks. It’s like being part of a scientific experiment gone haywire.

Visually, S.A.R.A. was inspired by my daily interactions through dual computer monitors, creating this notion of an overwhelming, all-seeing algorithm. Once I began interpreting the game through this frame, the pieces started falling into place.

Corey: Lab Rat is often described as a game that encourages both thought and laughter. In terms of design, which of these was more challenging to incorporate?

Gwen: Honestly, making people laugh was the toughest nut to crack! When players enter a puzzle game, they’re primed to solve complex problems. Thought-provoking content is often a welcome part of that journey. However, humor is an entirely different beast – it’s unpredictable and diverse, and crafting it took a lot more effort. Comedy, truly, is an art form.

Corey: In Lab Rat, the way puzzles build on each other is remarkably clever. Could you share how you approached maintaining the right level of difficulty throughout?

Gwen: Keeping players engaged relies heavily on the thrill of discovery and the challenge of mastery. I like to introduce new elements regularly, ensuring players have a steady stream of novel experiences. My goal is for every solution to feel well-earned, requiring just enough effort to be rewarding without being overtly obvious.

With block-pushing games, there’s a risk of players getting trapped without noticing. It’s demotivating! Thus, in Lab Rat, we’ve added features like undoing moves and detaching blocks from walls. This approach gives players freedom to explore without the anxiety of dead ends, making it far more approachable without losing its charm.

Corey: When you’re part of a small team, juggling roles is part of the gig. Which role came naturally to you, and which one was unexpectedly challenging?

Gwen: Coding, art, and animation are all second nature after years of practice. I thrive in the Unreal Engine space. What threw me off was voice acting. Before Lab Rat, I’d never considered voice work. Taking on nearly every vocal role was an adventure, to say the least!

Corey: In that vein, you voiced nearly everyone in the game, save for one line. Have you kept track of the total number of characters you lent your voice to?

Gwen: Oh, that’s a fun one! My programmer jokingly placed my name again and again in the credits, about a hundred times. Though it’s mostly accurate since I did voice nearly the entire cast. Besides one male line my husband helped with, I crafted distinct voices using effects to make each character unique.

Corey: Sitting with someone playing Lab Rat for the first time, is there a specific moment you’re eagerly awaiting them to experience?

Gwen: There are so many moments! My hope was that every half-hour felt richer and more unexpected than the last. I’m keen to see if we delivered on that promise.

Corey: Big thanks, Gwen, for sharing your insights on Lab Rat, indie development, and the wild ride of self-dialogue in a recording booth!

Lab Rat is now readily available on Xbox One with enhancements for the Xbox Series X|S. Dive into this distinctive, hand-crafted narrative puzzler, developed by a passionate indie team. Whether it’s outsmarting an AI or laughing along the way, Lab Rat offers a unique balance of challenge and charm that’s not to be missed.