Indie game studio Twice Different is set to push the boundaries of what can be done with a beloved character when it enters the public domain. Their debut title, Winnie’s Hole, takes the iconic Winnie the Pooh and turns him into the star of a body horror game that promises to be a truly unique experience. While no official release date has been announced, the game is already generating significant attention and curiosity among gaming enthusiasts.
In Winnie’s Hole, players assume control of a raging and rapidly mutating virus that is developing within the lovable children’s book character. The objective is to “refine his primitive form,” as stated in the game’s Steam listing. The trailer offers a glimpse into the gameplay, showcasing an internal Tetris-like puzzle where players must align block patterns within the blood and organs of Pooh Bear. Successful alignments result in new mutations, such as extra limbs, additional mouths, and more eyes, akin to the unsettling body horror seen in works by David Cronenberg. These mutations are designed to enhance Pooh’s abilities as the virus spreads throughout his body.
The game’s mechanics go beyond mere cosmetic changes, as revealed in a screenshot showcasing a skill tree. Players will have the opportunity to choose different strains of the virus, potentially increasing their damage and making Pooh stronger, faster, and deadlier in his pursuit of infecting the unsuspecting wildlife inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. The trailer even features a disturbing scene of Pooh vomiting onto Piglet, further emphasizing the grotesque nature of the game.
Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain in 2022, as determined by US copyright law, which allows works to be used 70 years after the original author’s death or 95 years after publication. Given that the original book was published back in 1926, it falls under the latter provision.
Interestingly, Winnie’s Hole is not the first project to take advantage of Winnie the Pooh’s public domain status. The movie “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” claims that distinction. However, the film was met with poor reception, earning a meager 3% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 3/10 on IMDb. With Winnie’s Hole, the gaming medium aims to deliver a horror spin on the beloved character that captivates audiences and provides a nightmarish experience in a more satisfying and engaging manner.
Although the exact release date remains unknown, gaming enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the launch of Winnie’s Hole. The game’s innovative concept and dark twist on a beloved character have piqued curiosity and sparked discussions within the gaming community. As Winnie the Pooh embarks on this unsettling adventure, players can prepare themselves for a truly unique and haunting experience unlike anything seen before in the Hundred Acre Wood.
