A game about hotel management straight from Spirited Away. Hotel Galactic aims to earn Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaim

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Hotel Galactic, created by Ancient Forge, is an enchanting game that lets you construct and run your very own hotel. From the moment we launch the game, it feels like stepping into a magical storybook realm. The captivating, animated sequences, as well as the gameplay itself, bear resemblance to Studio Ghibli’s most impressive works, with Spirited Away taking center stage among them. Here’s a trailer to give you a taste:

The entire ambiance, encompassing the assortment of extraterrestrial species dropping by, the hotel decor, and the captivating cosmic sailboat frequently moored at our establishment, is nothing short of spectacular. In this age of AI, where anyone with a simple prompt can essentially be an “artist,” there’s always a risk of being labeled as ordinary, deceitful, or opting for the convenient route. However, when we unveil Hotel Galactic, a phrase resonates:

“Even in the vast cosmos, where extraordinary experiences are commonplace, our hotel stands out as an exceptional beacon of hospitality.

THIS GAME IS A PRODUCT OF ACTUAL HUMAN PASSION

NO AI WAS USED DURING THE DEVELOPMENT

I inquired from Kamila Zielinska, who is the marketing head at Ancient Forge studio, concerning this matter. She shared that when AI-generated pictures in a Ghibli-style went viral online, it was a source of sorrow for them. Their product was entirely developed using their own labor, talent, ingenuity, and artistic flair, and it was intended to honor the accomplishments of the renowned Japanese studio. However, they find themselves struggling against an overwhelming tide of stunning images that are swiftly produced by AI.

In simple terms, we pour a great deal of effort into our project, drawing inspiration while harboring the hope that Hayao Miyazaki might acknowledge it with a nod if he chanced upon our game. Unlike many others, we don’t purchase pre-made assets, animations, or riggings; instead, we craft them ourselves from the ground up. Our creation is entirely original, and without the contributions of our artists, designers, and programmers, there would be no such thing as this project we call Hotel Galactic.

Absolutely, they aren’t resistant to advancement out of arrogance. Developers understand and appreciate the advantages AI offers, particularly in rapid, pioneering research. However, they believe that if the game is to be truly their own creation, it should be developed by them personally.

Currently, Ancient Forge has 35 individuals working for them, all of whom are remote workers. This studio may be familiar to you due to the hit series The Tenants. At present, they’re preparing an exciting new game. Despite the ongoing global crisis, they manage to stay composed and cautious. As Kamila Zielinska put it, “A smaller team focuses on one project at a time.

According to Kamila’s explanation, the idea for the game originated from a deep affection for Ghibli. One day, Duszan Chaciej, who is both the CEO and Creative Director of the studio, expressed his vision on Discord, sparking enthusiasm among the team members. As the Art Lead, Marta Krzesinska oversees the artistic aspects, while Pawel Kafka leads the animation team, ensuring the project comes to life in the game.

Hotel Galactic is a relaxing cozy game

Examining the dedication shown by Ancient Forge studio in creating this game, I find it surprising that there’s minimal excitement surrounding it. The genre might be a factor: it’s management, but with a comfortable and unique twist. Although management games have seen a rise in popularity lately, cozy management still remains a relatively specific niche. In the upcoming title, Galactic Hotel, we assume control over, essentially, a space-themed hotel where we’ll accommodate various extraterrestrial guests, such as tiny aliens sporting trumpets for noses. During the Steam Next Fest, a demo of the game is accessible, allowing players to become acquainted with the fundamental mechanics through an initial mission.

We plan to construct rooms, some above ground and others below, all of which will be beautifully decorated and equipped. Our responsibility will extend beyond the hotel’s aesthetic appeal, encompassing cleanliness maintenance such as changing bedding after each guest’s stay. Additionally, we’ll ensure our guests are well-fed. It’s crucial to consider our staff too; they need their own sleeping quarters and private bathroom facilities, separate from those of our guests, to maintain a comfortable working environment.

In the brief preview, I didn’t get a chance to try out all the advertised aspects of the game, but based on what I experienced, it seems like this could be an exceptional choice for those seeking a tranquil gaming experience without significant financial investment. It might also attract children with its delightful visuals.

Hotel straight from a fairy tale

In Hotel Galactic, your adventure begins with a slightly rundown hotel that requires renovation before it can be opened. You’ll find yourself in a building mode reminiscent of Spiritfarer, an engaging game developed by the Thunder Lotus Games studio. As you progress, you’ll set the dimensions for each room, which will adjust accordingly to fit with those previously constructed. If you enjoyed Spiritfarer, don’t forget to check out Hotel Galactic!

In a newly created space, it’s wise to add some furnishings. At our crafting station, we manufacture various items, although the demo didn’t show many, we had options among three distinct styles, offering beds, wardrobes, tables, decorations, dressers, rugs, lamps, and more. Once you select your furniture, our workers collect materials: wood, twigs, metals, and so on. The furniture can only be used once it’s assembled, at which point our employee will transport the package with the furnishings to the designated room. This is a standard practice at Hotel Galactic. We don’t immediately construct walls and furniture; they must be built by our workers. We work leisurely, allowing us to progress at our own speed. Interestingly, guest ships do arrive frequently, but I haven’t observed any adverse effects from declining guests in any manner.

To renovate and extend our hotel, we must manage the resources as stated. We plan to accomplish this by marking trees for felling or rocks for breaking down, which are situated near our establishment. Unfortunately, we won’t get a chance to try it out in the demonstration; instead, we’ll explore mining ore underground, where I believe we’ll find it.

Hotel management entails overseeing aspects that don’t occur naturally at first. This means assigning each arriving guest to a room and ensuring those who check out pay their bills, as manners dictate. When a guest dines in our restaurant, we must take their order and verify that the chef is in the kitchen, not elsewhere on the property. The waiter will then deliver the order slip to the kitchen and post it on the board, initiating the cooking process. Similarly, when a client leaves dirty sheets, we must request for them to be changed. Once the soiled linens are in the laundry basket, we can choose which items to wash. Upon washing, they should be hung up to dry. This is how our hotel operates; we’ve replaced complex economic systems with straightforward daily supervision. Although the full version offers automation of certain tasks and advancement in the research tree (not present in the demo).

Instead of being a struggle from the get-go, Hotel Galactic concentrates on optimization in the latter stages of gameplay. As Kamila Zielinska explained to me, even something as seemingly trivial as an elevator’s position becomes crucial when managing a 40-story hotel. While you can multitask and watch something on your secondary screen if you choose, those who aim for perfection in running their hotel efficiently and earning stars (with the Michelin star equivalents available only in the full version) will need to pay close attention to details such as using appropriate ingredients for different guest races or optimizing a staff member’s route from the dining room to the kitchen. However, it’s important to note that Hotel Galactic isn’t a complicated simulator; it simply caters to those who prefer a more challenging management experience within the “cozy” genre.

Absolutely, as time goes by, we’ll unveil additional features; let me give you an example: To enhance the quality of the food in our restaurant, we plan to cultivate plants in our hotel garden. As we expand with more rooms, we might need more staff members, which would allow us to accommodate more guests. Since other races might have specific needs, we’ll need to focus on entertainment and overall upgrading our hotel standards as well.

It’s intriguing to note that the complete edition of the game is planned to encompass a narrative, which will touch upon themes such as love, tranquility, wealth, along with elements of redemption and vengeance. While I wouldn’t overemphasize this aspect, it’s reassuring to know that the developers are committed to providing this world with a history and quests. Given the game’s breathtaking beauty and intricate hand-painting details, a compelling storyline seems fitting.

Hotel Galactic in Early Access soon

It’s premature to delve into the game’s problems at this stage because it hasn’t been released in early access yet, which is scheduled for July 24th. Instead, I would like to point out a few areas that could use some quality-of-life improvements. For instance, it would be more convenient if we could view both the employee list and their locations on the same screen. The game’s vibrant and detailed visuals make it challenging to quickly identify employees or guests amidst the colorful backdrop. Furthermore, it would be beneficial if we could see the specific skills or traits of our employees without having to search for them on the map, check their abilities, and then go to a separate screen to assign tasks. Lastly, I encountered an issue with the pop-up wheel that appears when you right-click on an item. Although I didn’t click on it intentionally, I found myself accidentally deleting items like beds, wardrobes, sinks, etc., multiple times because of this feature.

During the preliminary phase, minor aspects might fade away. Intriguingly, I’ve inquired about what we can anticipate on July 24th when early access goes live on Steam from Ancient Forge. Thus, Galactic Hotel will unfold for us, unveiling the entire initial chapter of the game, featuring its gameplay mechanics, technology advancements to discover, characters with rich backgrounds, and our first VIP visitor (unique individuals who require more from us). Culinary aspects will evolve, allowing us to design our own recipes. A new location, Farming Island, will be incorporated, where we can construct our hotel. Novel room types and a multitude of new items will be presented. Additionally, we’ll have the choice to establish a spa, a cinema, or a game room within our hotel during early access. Moreover, sandbox mode will become playable from the onset. With the launch of early access, the developers will disclose their future strategies for the game, such as tending to animals and embarking on expeditions.

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2025-07-03 11:02