Game developer and producer Arthur Lee, also known as “Mr. Podunkian,” took to X on Jan 25 to announce his latest game Sunkissed City is now available to wishlist on Steam. Lee said he is aiming to launch the PC version in Q4 2024, with hopes of releasing console versions soon after.
According to Steam, the game is described as a “life-sim set in an upbeat, sun-kissed seaside metropolis full of funky vibes and quirky characters.” The main objective of the game is to help bring life back to the once-vibrant streets of Apollo City while learning new skills and building life-long friendships. Much like Stardew Valley, the protagonist of the game is also looking to start a new life, but instead of moving away from the typical “nine-to-five” routine, players are just starting their journey in the corporate world.
As a recent hire for the Pico corporation’s new “Peco Pioneer” pilot program, players are tasked with getting to know the community and spreading the word about Pico’s new eco-focused initiatives. However, it is soon revealed that monsters are pouring out of the sewers, local wildlife is getting more aggressive, water is lacking life and all the city-folk have migraines.
Aside from restoring the glorious Apollo City, players can also engage in side quests. Some fun features include tending to DIY gardens set up by a local band of “plant-punks,” spending a quiet afternoon in the park with a good book, having coffee with the locals at Weird Dog Café and photographing wildlife.
Much like Stardew Valley, players in Sunkissed City can converse with NPCs and develop relationships.
Working for ConcernedApe in 2019, Lee contributed to the development of Stardew Valley’s 1.4 and 1.5 updates. He ended up leaving the company in 2022, but many similarities can be found between Sunkissed City and Stardew Valley. Players can still build relationships with the NPCs and they will share their daily successes and hardships. Giving the NPCs gifts will also help strengthen your relationship with them, and might even lead to marriage. Just like Stardew Valley, forest-loving creatures known as the Keby will work with you to stop the strange forces polluting the city.
There are also some brand new features that will set Sunkissed City apart, for example, players now have the option to completely reinvent their character. The Threads shop will offer a variety of clothing options for players to discover their next favorite fit, allowing them to personalize their new look with hundreds of colors, patterns and materials to choose from. Players are also now able to get a complete makeover at Salon Flamingo, or spruce up their home with dozens of wallpapers and floors.
While responding to some fans on X, Lee said he has already put hundreds of hours into the game, mostly focusing on the gameplay system, but will now shift his focus towards adding context like friendship events, cutscenes and NPC dialogues.
While the game plans to be available for other consoles in the future, it’s most likely mobile will not be one of them. Lee said in a tweet that lending a hand on the Stardew Valley mobile port has “scared” him off from committing to a mobile version release.
Demo releases and public playtesting have not been confirmed, but Lee said he is not entirely against a Steam Next Fest demo if the timing matches up. Either way, Sunkissed City is set to release sometime in late 2024.
