The World of Scaravan 66 Explained

Drawing from a blend of classic horror aesthetics, chaotic car combat, and engaging character and world development, Scaravan 66 promises to give players a wild ride. The team behind the roguelike car combat game has been super open about the development process, sharing insights into how they have shaped mechanics, characters and NPCs, and the world and atmosphere that players should expect.

From the onset of development, Scaravan 66 set out to deliver a unique, roguelike experience, with the team drawing from classic horror tropes, retro-apocalyptic design, and the thrill of car combat games for inspiration. With each decision, Lithic Entertainment sought to create a living, breathing world that reacts to player choices while delivering unforgettable moments of action and chaos. Game Rant recently spoke with Lithic Entertainment’s co-founders, Al Bellemare and Andy Wood, about the construction of Scaravan 66‘s world.

A Living, Breathing World: How Factions Make for Brutal, Adrenaline-Filled Gameplay

Factions, Fears, and Werewolves

The underworld theme of Scaravan 66 is not just about car combat, but it plays a significant role in how the game’s world evolves and reacts. Players will travel through biomes inspired by the real-world Route 66, but there are a few changes that reflect the environment and certain moods to keep the world from feeling static. According to the devs,

“World-building is one of the most rewarding parts of game development. We’ve leaned heavily into classic horror and Halloweeny aesthetics in visuals, but especially in enemy design. We have an entire team of football players who all intentionally became werewolves to give them an edge on the field, recklessly swinging baseball bats from the side of a pickup and throwing explosive kegs; a rock’n’roll vampire cult with self-healing abilities, if they manage to get blood; a band of radioactive scientists whose experiments have reduced them to glowing green skeletons who use Area 51-style retro-futuristic experimental technology against the player.”

One of the standout factions is a group of football players who’ve transformed into werewolves, enhancing their physical strength for the game of life and death. These explosive keg-armed werewolves are not just frightening foes, but part of this chaotic world where excitement lurks around every corner. And that’s an important part of Scarvan 66: these factions are so interwoven with the gameplay and narrative that progressing one impacts the other. For example, main protagonist Lucky D starts as a rugged individualist, maybe akin to the classic loner cowboy trope, but she faces dilemmas that challenge her beliefs and force her to grow, affecting her character and relationships with other factions. In other words, this is not just a car combat game, but one where worldbuilding truly matters.

Scaravan 66’s Visual Style Fleshes Out the World

Scaravan 66 features a very striking art style, but just like its factions, that art style is an important part of the game and world. The style was born from a collaborative vision, blending influences from popular games and the raw energy of psychobilly poster art. Whether it’s direct artwork in the world or something as small as tattoos, the game makes art that leaves an impact on players. For example, the devs explained how a subtle theme can be expressed in its approach to art and Lucky D’gs tattoos.

“Gambling is a very subtle theme hidden in our protagonist Lucky D’s tattoo designs.”

Lithic Entertainment embraces a “gardener” approach to art and game development, allowing artists to take creative liberties within the framework of any initial ideas. This, in turn, results in art that is bold and unpredictable, as well as fun and visually stimulating, perfectly matching the game’s chaotic combat and high-octane moments. The graphic-heavy aesthetics reflect the world’s underlying themes of fast driving, explosive action, and mayhem, all while leaving room for creativity that keeps Scaravan 66 exciting.

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Developer(s)

Lithic Entertainment Inc.

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Publisher(s)

Lithic Entertainment Inc.

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