Pillar

Pillar is an independent video game designed by Michael Hicks for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Described as a collection of minigames where each game represents a different type of personality found in people, each level in Pillar has different gameplay mechanics to examine various personality traits and themes. Reviewers noted the game's exploration of themes such as love, religion, capitalism, aging and regret. Gameplay Pillar is made up of several levels, each starring a different character with their own set of gameplay mechanics. Examples include introverted characters who can only be around NPCs for so long before their energy drains, resulting in the player using stealth strategies. Extroverted characters are tasked with repairing and turning on lightposts throughout the town, they can only complete these puzzles by interacting with other extroverts, responding to moves they have made. Development Hicks started work on Pillar in August 2012 and worked on the game in various locations, including a church. Artist Gonçalo Antunes worked on the art remotely from Portugal. A month before the game's announcement, Hicks wrote an article published in Develop explaining his struggles with burnout while working on the game. Pillar was officially announced in August 2014. Hicks cited the film Magnolia, the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and real life relationships as influences on the game. He also explained his goal to tell a story non-verbally through the gameplay mechanics and cited Jonathan Blow and Jason Rohrer as influences for this idea.