Aussies Elfcat Studio, have announced Buru and The Old People. This is an upcoming narrative adventure game with D&D inspired mechanics, set in a vibrant anthropomorphic world, rich in Indigenous story-telling.
If this seems intriguing, then check out the trailer and more details below!
We’re excited to reveal our announcement trailer and Steam page, giving a first look at Buru and The Old People – an upcoming narrative adventure game with its roots in Dungeons & Dragons, rich in Indigenous storytelling and quirky anthropomorphic characters.
In the game you’ll take on the role of Bururrgan (Buru) a white ibis and retired thief who, in need of some extra coin, has returned to the vibrant seaside town of Pincher’s Cove for one last job. Chat with quirky locals, encounter TTRPG inspired mini-games, and try to uncover the truth before it’s too late in this short story about the connection between the characters and the land.
Buru and The Old People is the debut title from Elfcat Studio, spearheaded by AGDA Rising Star and Wiradjuri game-maker Ben Armstrong. The game has received government funding support from both Screen Australia, and Screen NSW.
Elfcat Studio is an Indigenous studio with Indigenous people in all key creative roles. It is also predominantly non-male. The vibrant, hand drawn environment art is the work of Naarm based illustrator Emma Sjaan Beukers, while the native Australian characters are by Kungarakan, Gurindji, Wardaman and Yanyuwa 2D artist Letoya Muraru, who previously worked on Wylde Flowers.
Buru’s story began as a character played by Armstrong during the global D&D Celebration 2021. A version of the story was then published in an anthology of Blak poetry and short stories ‘The Rocks Remain’ in 2024. Inspired by the film Zootopia, Buru and The Old People features a wide variety of native Australian anthropomorphic characters while tackling themes around culture, ignorance, colonisation, and exploitation.
