How Fishbowl Became a Unique Coming-of-Age Puzzle Game

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Rhea, co-developer of Fishbowl from I Miss My Friends Studio, joined the Six One Indie team to discuss her game, her journey into development, and the challenges of crafting something deeply personal. Despite having no prior game development experience, Rhea transitioned from a decade-long career in photography and sustainability consulting to creating her first indie game.

Inspired by her passion for storytelling, she began this journey with her partner during the pandemic. Together, they transformed their tiny home studio in India into a creative hub. Fishbowl is a narrative-driven game centered around Alo, a young woman navigating isolation and grief. Her job as a video editor for a famous streamer introduces you to a unique arcade-inspired mini-game.

This playful twist reflects the often-overlooked complexity behind content creation, offering engaging gameplay that evolves as the story progresses. Alongside this, you will enjoy unpacking puzzles, delving into Alo’s memories, and exploring Indian culture through sentimental objects. These objects carry personal and cultural stories, to enrich the game’s narrative depth.

With Rhea’s artistic skills, Fishbowl shines with beautiful visuals, well-crafted settings, and lively characters. Her talent for combining photography’s storytelling with the interactivity of games creates a one-of-a-kind experience. With plans for more complex puzzles and deeper gameplay, Fishbowl shows the creativity and determination of indie developers.

The game has no specific release date, but is set to launch on PC via Steam.