Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Slime Rancher 2 is a colourful and whimsical first-person life simulation and adventure game. Ever since it was released in early access in September 2022, the game has sold more than 5M copies, further spurring the developers over at Monomi Park to steadily support the title with a series of major updates, which have, over time, introduced whole new areas, a dynamic weather system and more. The most recent patch, Gadgets My Way, came out on February 8th and brought with it a comprehensive building system overhaul and more thematic settings, amongst other things.
Looking ahead into the future, Monomi Park has two more updates for this year, with one expected to drop sometime in the summer, while the other is targeted for a fall release. No more details have been revealed beyond that as of now, but fans can expect the team to continue to complete the story of Slime Rancher 2 whilst also expanding the established gameplay of the title as they gear up for an eventual full release.
Shortly after the November release of the update titled Come Rain or Slime, which brought the aforementioned dynamic weather system to the game, I had the chance to ask Norma Martinez, the Lead Artist on Slime Rancher 2, some questions about the team’s journey of experimentation, the challenges that they have faced in achieving the right look for the water effects and what fans can expect next:
Hello, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Would you mind introducing yourself and your career in the games industry so far?
Norma Martinez: Hi! Thank you for the opportunity. I’m Norma Martinez and I’ve been working in the gaming industry as an artist for over a decade, mostly working in environmental design, and also some concept art and weapon design in the past.
Having not worked on the original Slime Rancher, how was it giving pre-existing assets a fresh update going into the sequel, Slime Rancher 2?
Norma Martinez: When I joined the team, we were still unsure if we wanted to expand Slime Rancher or move onto something new. When we eventually decided to move to something fully separate, with completely new environments, I spent some time researching and testing how to make assets that still had the Slime Rancher iconic aesthetic while introducing more detail and form. It took some balancing to find what we were looking for.
My initial focus was not just on the final placement of these assets but on ensuring they complemented the existing beloved elements—like slimes, the world itself, and the vacpack. It was an exciting challenge to balance inspiration from real-world references and a highly stylized approach to craft assets that felt at home in the vibrant and whimsical world of Slime Rancher 2.
In the process of asset creation, I focused on softening edges and toning down painting or sculpting to maintain softness, lower contrast, avoid noise, and ensure that slimes and gameplay assets were the focal point. The goal was always to preserve a sense of charm and playfulness, adhering to a “soft-chunky” aesthetic that has become iconic.
The evolution of our lighting system played a significant role in refining the look and feel of these assets. As the game’s visual environment matured, I revisited some of the initial designs to ensure they remained cohesive within the broader context of our enhanced world and lighting effects. This iterative process helped us stay true to the spirit of Slime Rancher while bringing a fresh perspective to the game’s beloved universe.
How does the new weather update for Slime Rancher 2 change up the look of the game as a whole? And what was your role in fine-tuning the visual aspect of this update?
Norma Martinez: The new weather update introduces a new dynamic layer to our existing world, enhancing the game’s ambiance without smothering what we already have or adding too much noise. Each weather type contributes a distinct vibe to the world and gentle feeling. Even the more intense and extreme weathers have a peacefulness to them…from a safe distance.
My role was maintaining visual harmony, ensuring that even during the most dramatic weather changes, the gameplay remains clear and assets continue to stand out. When the sky darkens for a big storm, we’ve ensured that there is still enough visibility to run around and that important gameplay assets are not washed out too much. We never wanted the world to feel too dangerous and scary during storms.
In an article on GameDeveloper.com you wrote that, for this weather update, it was important to ‘maintain a high level of fidelity while upholding the game’s whimsical style.’ What were some of the challenges you’ve faced in achieving the right balance?
Norma Martinez: One of our main challenges was the depiction of rain. With elements like raindrops, we went back and forth on how detailed and realistic they should look and tried a variety of approaches. We studied many different games as reference, from more realistic ones to more stylized ones, and experimented with different methods and refraction and density.
Ultimately, we chose a style that harmonizes with our existing water assets. This meant finding a middle ground where the rain is neither too realistic nor too abstract, thus complementing the whimsical world of Slime Rancher 2.
In the same article, you also mentioned you and your team’s journey of experimentation, which involved, for example, having trees bend in heavy wind and figuring out the density of raindrops. Are you happy with your results so far? And do you think the work you did here will pay dividends for future updates as well?
Norma Martinez: I’m really excited about the current weather system. Although some aspects proved more complex than anticipated, the foundational work, like the dynamic wind movements, sets the stage for fun future developments in Slime Rancher 2.
What’s your favourite thing you’ve worked on for this Slime Rancher 2 update?
Norma Martinez: It’s always tough to pick a favourite thing! But, the addition of water streams stands out. It felt like such a simple task at first, but as I started placing them, I felt it was a really cool way to subtly draw attention to certain details in the world or side paths. The puddles and water streams added a lot of depth to the world by having heavy and dense rain.
In November, Slime Rancher 2 won the Unity Award for Best 3D Visuals – what does this award mean for you, as a 3D artist, and for your team as a whole?
Norma Martinez: Receiving this award was a humbling and proud moment for the entire team. We’re extremely grateful and proud! It’s not only an acknowledgment of our hard work but also fuels us to continuously evolve and refine the distinctive style of Slime Rancher 2. The art team always strives to push the boundaries of the style we have established, and it’s incredible to be recognized for the work we put into the game’s world.
How has the Slime Rancher 2 community responded to the “Come Rain or Slime” update?
Norma Martinez: The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Players have shared their experiences, ranging from very silly moments like slimes getting wrapped up into tornados or being hit by lightning, to peaceful moments of hanging out in the rain. It’s rewarding to see players embracing and enjoying these new dynamic elements within the game.
What can you tell us about what comes next as Slime Rancher 2 continues its Early Access journey?
Norma Martinez: Our latest update is set to revolutionize player interaction with the game world. We’re introducing the all new ability to place gadgets anywhere, providing unprecedented freedom in gameplay and personalization on ranches. This feature will enhance players’ ability to tailor their experience, from practical uses like placing teleporters and jump pads anywhere they’d like to creating personalized, cozy spots within the game world.
Slime Rancher 2 is available on Early Access on Steam and EGS and on Game Preview on Xbox for 34.99 CAD.
