Annapurna Interactive’s annual showcase included a new trailer from Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg’s (van Hohokum, I’m dead and Wilmot’s warehouse) next match Herd. The game was originally announced during the 2022 Annapurna showcase, but Thursday’s look gives a glimpse into the creature collecting experience. In fact, it is a short walkthrough as the developers explore the fantastic world.
Herd seems to be as much about collecting and exploring as it is about hanging out with friends. The cooperative multiplayer game is designed to emphasize the collective joy of discovery. It almost has one pokemon snap feel – albeit not on rails, nor with photography. Instead, the similarities are in exploring and finding new and rare creatures that are all busy with their own worlds and environments. Collecting these creatures will add them to your herd – hence the name, Herd. With other players you move like pendulums through a colorful parade of your own making.
Once your flock grows, you can also get resources from the creatures, especially wool from the flying sheep. You can make “hats, vests and even socks” from the wool, according to the developers.
Herd has no release date yet, but is expected in 2024 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.