Pillar

• Title — Pillar • Designer — Michael Hicks • Artist — Gonçalo Antunes • Composer — Michael Hicks • Genre — Puzzle • Platforms — * PlayStation 4 • Windows • Xbox 360 • Xbox One • Nintendo Switch • Modes — Single-player

Pillar is made up of several levels, each starring a different character with their own set of gameplay mechanics. Examples include introverted characters who can only be around NPCs for so long before their energy drains, resulting in the player using stealth strategies. Extroverted characters are tasked with repairing and turning on lightposts throughout the town, they can only complete these puzzles by interacting with other extroverts, responding to moves they have made.

Hicks started work on Pillar in August 2012 and worked on the game in various locations, including a church. Artist Gonçalo Antunes worked on the art remotely from Portugal. A month before the game's announcement, Hicks wrote an article published in Develop explaining his struggles with burnout while working on the game. Pillar was officially announced in August 2014. Hicks cited the film Magnolia, the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and real life relationships as influences on the game. He also explained his goal to tell a story non-verbally through the gameplay mechanics and cited Jonathan Blow and Jason Rohrer as influences for this idea. The game was originally planned for a 2014 release but was delayed until 2015, releasing February 17.

Pillars soundtrack was composed by Michael Hicks and inspired by ambient artists Brian Eno, Sigur Rós, Nils Frahm, Peter Broderick and experimental musician Tim Hecker. Hicks approached the soundtrack in an unorthodox manner, composing each song as he designed the level it was intended for. He claimed the music influenced game design decisions and vice versa, resulting in a "cohesive experience". The soundtrack was independently released via Bandcamp a few months before the game's release.