Studio MDHR, the creative force behind the beloved indie game Cuphead, is marking the title’s sixth anniversary with a heartfelt gesture to its dedicated Xbox and Windows player community. In a celebratory move, the developer is gifting fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes DLC package, showcasing the game’s development journey. This special offering, described as a “love letter” to the game’s initial platforms, will be available on Friday, September 29.
The Cuphead DLC package comprises an extensive array of treasures for enthusiasts, including over 100 high-resolution behind-the-scenes photos. Among these visuals are “never-before-seen concepts and unused art pieces,” offering a unique glimpse into the creation of one of the gaming world’s most stylistically distinctive titles. Notably, this collection features early concept art, some of which possesses a charmingly rustic quality reminiscent of Microsoft Paint.
Chad Moldenhauer, co-director at MDHR, shed light on the creative process, revealing, “With our process being so painstaking once we put pencil to paper, we often use paint tools during brainstorming sessions to communicate ideas very quickly to one another for the broad strokes of a boss attack or phase transition.” A selection of these quick sketches is incorporated into the photo gallery, providing a delightful departure from the meticulously crafted art for which Cuphead is renowned.
In addition to the visual offerings, the DLC includes a musical treat for fans—a first-time release of the complete 86-track Cuphead soundtrack. The auditory experience is further enriched with the inclusion of a never-before-heard MIDI demo track, playing in the background as users navigate the DLC menus.
Moldenhauer revealed that the development team grappled with whether to include music from The Delicious Last Course DLC, expressing concerns about potential spoilers. However, they ultimately chose to give the Xbox community access to as much of Kris’s exceptional music as possible, particularly considering that most players exploring this content would likely have already experienced the full Cuphead game. Notably, The Delicious Last Course DLC involved over 110 musicians, a greater number than any of the tracks in the base game.
Moldenhauer reflected on the team’s decision, stating, “We thought it would be fun to give this to our Xbox community as a gift on the game’s anniversary, as our Cuphead journey really started with the release on Xbox.” He acknowledged the unpredictability of game development plans but expressed gratitude that all testing and finalization for the update aligned with the timeline for the game’s sixth birthday celebration.
This anniversary gesture is a testament to the enduring love and appreciation that Studio MDHR holds for the Cuphead community, showcasing their dedication to delivering memorable and cherished gaming experiences.
