Xalavier Nelson, Jr. — the award-winning narrative designer, writer, and former journalist — doesn’t just make games that are out of the box, he supplants the box with stock photos of dogs and then has them run an airport for aliens. As silly a concept as it may sound initially, Xalavier and his team at Strange Scaffold released an indie game earlier this year whose premise was just that, and folks really dug it. Xalavier is sincere in his approach to video game development, with a particular emphasis on sustainability, and he strives for it when thinking about any game idea.
At this summer’s indie showcase during E3, gamers got a look at a new title coming out of Strange Scaffold that acts as both an homage and a passion project come full circle. El Paso, Elsewhere is a supernatural neo-noir third-person shooter with a lot of love for the original Max Payne aesthetic. The game is a bloody adventure through a seemingly innocent motel that suddenly gains 46 stories below ground, with werewolves, fallen angels, and other damned creatures going for your throat.
It’s a wild ride through the imagination of a creator who’s putting representation on full display in the game and bringing with it refreshing art and a unique narrative. I had the chance to catch up with Xalavier to talk his new title and everything game development. You can catch the full conversation below and be sure to wishlist El Paso, Elsewhere on Steam ahead of its planned 2022 release.
