Bug & Seek: 2024 Small/Indie Game Winner

“I don’t get what people see in bugs, they aren’t cute and cuddly like animals,” muses one character in “Bug & Seek,” the INDIE category winner of the 2024 GEE! Learning Game Awards. This sentiment, shared by many before playing the game, is precisely what “Bug & Seek” sets out to challenge and change.

Developed by So Peculiar, a two-person team from East Tennessee, “Bug & Seek” stood out for its exceptional ability to foster curiosity and appreciation for insects in a meaningful and engaging way. The game’s strength lies not in teaching bug facts — though there are many — but in cultivating a holistic appreciation for insects, their habitats, and their day/night patterns.

“Bug & Seek” excels in creating empowered learners through its focus on player autonomy, adaptability, and manipulation of the game environment. Players’ decisions significantly impact their progress, from choosing which bugs to catch to how they customize their Insectarium. The game accommodates various play styles, allowing players to focus on collecting, quest completion, or Insectarium design according to their preferences. The developers say that players report the “game inspired them to spend more time outside looking for insects, that it lessened their fear of insects.”

The core loop (explore, collect, level up, expand) is mixed with story and a relaxed, open-ended sim/creature collector. Players have bought an abandoned bug museum and must fill it up. The game provides detailed control over elements such as bug-catching techniques, Insectarium layout, and quest prioritization, allowing players to tailor their experience and make each playthrough unique and personally meaningful.

“Bug & Seek” is an excellent example of subtle, problem-based learning. The game offers a well-paced introduction to its mechanics, with the central mystery of the “Great Bug Heist” providing a clear goal and engaging unfolding quests. As one bug explains, “I lay my eggs in water, but only healthy water, and my nymphs can improve water quality. This does mean I’m a favorite meal for fish though, which is why so many fishing lures look like me.” Such details are provided just-in-time, avoiding information overload while satisfying player curiosity.

The game maintains a pleasant level of challenge, keeping players at the edge of their competence. “Like a superhero, just smaller,” quips one insect, while another challenges, “I challenge you to a cage match!” These amusing interactions encourage players to grow and embrace new challenges in their bug-catching adventures.

A deep understanding unfolds with time, as the developers sought to capture their own bug journey which started with the insects of their local Tennessee woods. “Bug & Seek” captivates players with its charming 8-bit aesthetic and engrossing gameplay loop. The game creates meaningful learning experiences by situating bug knowledge in the context of the game world, helping players develop a holistic understanding of insect habitats, behaviors, and ecological roles.

The game’s world-building depth shines through in the diverse cast of insects, each with its own personality and story. Even the most impressive insect abilities are presented with a touch of humor: “I use these incredibly fast and powerful jaws to kill prey, or as a catapult — either to send myself flying up and backward away from a threat or to send a threat flying away from me,” boasts one bug, making its remarkable adaptation both fascinating and entertaining.

“Bug & Seek” surprised the judges by offering an even deeper systemic appreciation of bugs than initially claimed. Players naturally learn which bugs are diurnal or nocturnal, and where different species can be found — under rocks, in hollow logs, flower beds, or marshy reeds. This depth of information is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, making the learning process natural and engaging.

Congratulations to So Peculiar for their standout game that entertains as it educates and inspires. By turning a niche subject into an engaging, educational adventure, “Bug & Seek” exemplifies the potential of games to spark real-world curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. Players who begin the game thinking bugs aren’t “cute and cuddly” may find themselves, by the end, seeing the insect world through new, wonder-filled eyes.

Thanks to category lead, Michael Douma (IDEA Games), and judges: Jenny Saucerman (Credit Union National Association), Matheus Cezarotto (New Mexico State University), Morgan Smith (MCS Design), Mark Backler (Sketchbook Games), Krista-Lee Malone (UW-Madison).