Does Not Commute

Received positively for its gameplay, the game won the 2015 edition of the Apple Design Awards.

• Developer — Mediocre • Publisher — Mediocre • Released — April 23, 2015 tvOS: October 19, 2015 • Platforms — Android, iOS, tvOS • Writer — Simon Flesser • Composer — Douglas Holmquist • Modes — Single-player • Genre — Puzzle, strategy • Artist — Henrik Johansson • Designer — Henrik Johansson • Programmer — Dennis Gustafsson

Set in a 1970s suburb, Does Not Commute is a puzzle and strategy game where the player starts with controlling a vehicle to a certain point on a level within a set amount of time. Once completed, time will reset, and the player will have to control a new vehicle that is added to the level. Previous vehicles will repeat their route the player has set. Marked collectibles can be picked up to increase time; the player may also use a rewind feature to undo their previous moves, but it will cost them one second. They may use shortcuts to avoid other vehicles, and an in-app purchase unlocks checkpoints. A practice mode is available.

Does Not Commute was developed by Mediocre, a Swedish indie studio composed of Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson. They had previously created games such as Smash Hit, Sprinkle Islands and Granny Smith. Does Not Commute 's soundtrack was composed by Douglas Holmquist. The time period the game was set in was decided early in development; initially, Holmquist opted for a "loungey" soundtrack involving the flute, vibraphone, and light percussion. The first version of the game's soundtrack was inspired by music from the movie Sideways and musicians such as Yusef Lateef, Cal Tjader, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. However, since the concept of the game became more "action-based", the soundtrack was considered "too soft", so "Sorta Blue" by Henry Mancini, was used for inspiration. The soundtrack for a level titled Beach was conceptualized after a bike ride with the game's co-developers Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson, and a band was scheduled for a four-day session. Showcased at GDC 2015, Does Not Commute was released on Android and iOS for free on April 23, 2015.