Lost & Found by Pinoy Dev explores unique stories in lost objects

MANILA, Philippines – “We each carry our own stories,” said solo developer and animator, Kurt Reodica.

Reodica just released his first game, Lost & Found, an upcoming mystery-adventure game that follows Rico, a struggling artist that has returned to his rural hometown.

The player searches for lost items while discovering how much his village has changed, and uncovering the secrets behind each object.

The core story of returning home

The premise of Lost & Found is a familiar story for many Filipinos who sought better opportunities in the city and abroad while longing for their life at home.

Reodica remembers the returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) or the young professionals that travel back to their provinces after working in Metro Manila.

“I think there’s this fantasy for many people to stay in their hometowns instead of going back to the city or overseas,” Reodica tells Tech INQ in an exclusive interview.

“That’s one of the core fantasies the game fulfills. I think I can fulfill that fantasy, for people to feel homesick. I want them to be a different person after playing the game.”

Lost & Found is set in 2007 and based in Reodica’s own hometown in Luciana, Laguna.

Everyone has a story

Meanwhile, the core driver of the story–its gameplay–is based on a film and news report that Reodica has seen.

He mentions the film, Perfect Days by Wim Wenders, that narrates the routine of a Japanese public toilet cleaner.

“[In the movie], he may seem like a normal guy. But just like any other person in the world he carries his own thoughts, secrets, stories, and problems.” Reodica explains. “And I wanted to capture that in my game.”

He then combined this story with a news report he saw that became the base of the game’s mechanic of returning lost belongings.

“It’s about this woman who got her wallet back,” Reodica began.

“That wallet was lost decades ago. Inside the wallet, there were receipts, old photos, money, and basically endless stories. I remember, I think it made her cry when she received that decade-old wallet.”

Reodica found beauty in the idea that objects can hold memories and tell unique stories.

The art style inspired by The Amazing World of Gumball

The game’s art is obvious to those who grew up with the Cartoon Network hit. The Amazing World of Gumball is a series that’s known for mixing 2D and 3D design.

Reodica was an animation student who was under the mentorship of Nelson Caliguia. Caliguia is a film animator and director who has worked on Sulayman (2023) and Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.

Then he interned for Puppeteer Studios, known for their work in Ben&Ben’s music video, Triumph and the animated scene for ABS-CBN’s It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.

Throughout his training, he then began his YouTube channel, Shaggy Bear Games. There, he explored various mediums and found a comfort in mixing 2D and 3D. 

“I had this question in my mind. Why is no one making a game with this style, with the Gumball style, the mixed media style?” Reodica mused, and after contemplation he got to work.

He has been working on Lost & Found for just six months.

Release Date for Lost & Found

Reodica is currently looking for publishers to help speed up development. He sees 2027 as a potential release and possibly a demo late this year.

Lost & Found can be wishlisted on steam now. 

Watch the Trailer of Lost & Found here: