43 Studios on Hell of an Office – Interview Series

Here’s one for you: a stapler, presumably made from the same hellish materials and sadistic personality nodes as Satan himself, has asked you to perform a series of ludicrous tasks from within the fiery depths of Hell. Will you subject yourself to them? Tough — Hell of an Office doesn’t necessarily care if you’re up for the challenge or not, for when the Devil clocks in, you had better believe that there’ll be a watchful gaze looming over your shoulders like a rabid hawk cloaked in ash and crimson. Suffice it to say, if the stapler asks you to jump, you, without hesitation, will be the one to ask how high. Welcome to Hell of an Office, folks — you’re going to have fun here.

Yes, 43 Studios’ first-person platforming game has just arrived on Steam, which means, if you did have any plans to delve into its wicked workload, then you’re in luck. Not quite convinced? Don’t sweat it. In a bid to make the job description seem a little more appealing, the team over at 43 Studios kindly filled me in on all of the “corporate” benefits. Just eh, don’t expect to be paid for any overtime, though.

The hellish quarters of your latest platforming game, Hell of an Office, are finally ablaze in the full-fledged PC debut — and we’re super excited to see more of it! For the sake of covering all bases, however, let’s dial it back a bit. Tell us, what is Hell of an Office?

Hell of an Office is a fast-paced 3D first-person platformer that throws players into the depths of a chaotic, corporate Hell. Armed with an explosive stapler, you’ll perform rocket jumps, dashes, and a variety of movement mechanics to escape an infernal workplace. Alongside intense platforming action, the game features a humorous narrative, poking fun at corporate culture, and includes a level editor where players can create their own hellish courses. With leaderboards and the freedom to tackle levels in multiple ways, players can compete for the fastest times or simply enjoy the chaotic atmosphere.

Tell us a bit about the story. Who are we in this satanic melodrama, and how exactly will we be involved in the events that take shape in the underbelly of the, well, underworld?

You’re a newcomer to Hell, having signed a contract with Satan out of desperation for a job — a satirical nod to the feeling of being trapped in a corporate job just to make ends meet. Satan is your boss, and you’ll be receiving constant orders from Mr. Stapley, your manager, who literally has a stapler for a head. The story revolves around your efforts to escape Hell before it’s too late, solving the challenges thrown at you by your corporate overlords. Along the way, you’ll uncover secrets of the underworld and find ways to break free from your demonic contract, all wrapped in a comedic and lighthearted tone.

And how would you best describe the gameplay style? Of course, you’ve mentioned that the game itself features platforming elements, but what else are we likely to find in the crags and crevices of the fiery workspace?

The gameplay is incredibly fast and fluid, with each level presenting new platforming challenges that revolve around mastering movement mechanics like rocket jumps, dashes, and much more. Every 10 levels, the game introduces a new mechanic, requiring players to combine them as they progress. There’s a constant sense of urgency, as rising lava serves as a time limit, keeping players on their toes. The game also includes a ranking system where players can earn rewards by completing levels faster, unlocking cosmetic stapler skins. There’s a lot of flexibility in how players approach each level, which caters to both speedrunners and casual players alike.

Do you mind if we ask where you sourced the inspiration from for this project? If you had to compare it with another platforming game of a similar style, what would it be? Or would you say that Hell of an Office bears the hallmark qualities of something a little more, shall we say, unique?

We drew a lot of inspiration from fast-paced platformers like SEUM, Clustertruck, Cyberhook, and Neon White. Aesthetically, we were influenced by the surreal and bureaucratic world of The Stanley Parable, while the infernal themes took cues from games like DOOM. That said, Hell of an Office blends these inspirations into something unique — it’s not just a speedrunner’s dream, but also a satirical look at corporate life, with a distinct narrative that offers humor and surprises around every corner.

We’re real suckers for tips and tricks here at Gaming.net. Tell us, is there anything we should know before slipping into the depths of the crimson office?

One of the best tips is to study the level layout before diving in — finding the best routes and using the environment creatively can give you a major edge in beating the clock. Also, if you can master the “dash-rocket-dash” combo, you’ll unlock bursts of speed that will propel you through levels much faster. Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks with movement, as the game rewards bold and creative strategies.

HELL OF AN OFFICE is OUT NOW on Steam! 🔥

Get it here 👉 https://t.co/MyxRz8JBTN#steam #indiegame #steamgames#gamedev #pcgaming #indiedev #newrelease pic.twitter.com/K7rs6QOMcp

— HELL OF AN OFFICE ➡️ OUT NOW 🔥 (@HellOfAnOffice) October 3, 2024

What’s next for 43 Studios, if you don’t mind me asking? Aside from Hell of an Office, are you planning on exploring any other IP over the coming months? If so, please could you shed light on what it is that you’re working on?

We’re still in the early stages of exploring what’s next, but Hell of an Office has taught us a lot about designing fluid movement mechanics. We plan to build on that knowledge for future projects. Right now, nothing is set in stone, but we’re excited to dive into more player-driven movement systems and explore new genres.

How can we stay up to date with 43 Studios and the latest developments in the Hell of an Office universe? Are we able to keep track of any social feeds, events, or streams, perhaps?

Definitely! You can join our Discord community, where we frequently interact with players and share announcements. We’re also active on Twitter (X), posting updates and fun content, and on Steam, where we provide detailed updates about the game.

Is there anything you would like to add for our readers?

Just a huge thank you to everyone supporting us! We’ve put our heart into Hell of an Office and can’t wait to see how players react, especially with the level editor. Whether you’re a speedrunner or just here for a laugh, we hope you enjoy the chaotic ride!

Amazing! Thank you so much for your time!

You can check in with 43 Studios’ X/Twitter channel for even more information and live coverage here. You can also wishlist the game on Steam for more updates here.