Anthony Tan’s Journey with Way to the Woods: A Young Developer’s Triumph

A Moment of Triumph for Anthony Tan

As Anthony Tan settled into his seat in a dimly lit theater in Los Angeles, his hands trembled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The vibrant neon green lights flickered intermittently, illuminating the faces of around 7,000 attendees surrounding him. At just 20 years old, Tan was about to witness his creation, Way to the Woods, share the spotlight with an array of upcoming titles from industry giants like Gears of War and Halo.

Unlike those blockbuster franchises, crafted by teams comprising hundreds of talented individuals and supported by eight- or nine-figure budgets, Tan had developed his game entirely on his own during his spare time, with the help of grant funding. The anticipation in the air was palpable as he took in the enormity of the moment.

By the time he sat down in the theater for Microsoft’s annual showcase in June 2019, Tan had already watched his trailer over a hundred times. Every note of the soundtrack resonated within him, every camera angle was etched into his memory. As the lights dimmed and the screen faded to black, he found himself too nervous to look. Instead, he could only imagine the audience’s reaction as they watched the enchanting visuals of a deer and its fawn navigating a railway handcar across a breathtaking golden landscape.

The event had barely concluded when Tan’s phone erupted with notifications. Messages poured in from strangers on Twitter, each one a testament to the impact his game had made. Millions had tuned in to the livestream, and the reaction was overwhelming. Many praised the unique art style of his game, which he had drawn inspiration from the beloved Studio Ghibli films “Princess Mononoke” and “Spirited Away”. Others expressed their curiosity about the unconventional protagonists of his story.

In that moment, Tan felt a rush of adrenaline that replaced his earlier nerves. “It was absolutely exhilarating,” he reflected, a smile breaking across his face. His game, centered on animals navigating a forgotten world, had resonated deeply with the audience. The final moments of his captivating trailer left viewers with a tantalizing hint of what was to come: “Coming 2020 … for real this time.”