Before experiencing the early iteration of Crescent County, I was skeptical about the idea of racing around a virtual world on a motorized, magical broomstick. Yet, here I am, swooping through the lush grasslands of the Isle of Morah, effortlessly picking the best spots for lift-offs and using trails of blooms to find hidden routes in this vast, open-world setting. The sensation of a leyline-triggered boost vibrating through my controller made me wonder, “Could this actually work?” And surprisingly, it does.
Crescent County is the ambitious brainchild of Electric Saint, a dynamic duo comprised of Anna Hollinrake, known for her work on Fall Guys, and Pavle Mihajlović, who worked on Erica. This game is a fascinating blend—it’s part exploration, part dating sim, part gig economy delivery challenge, part racer, and part life simulation, with everything revolving around the motorbroom. You’d think combining so many elements might lead to a disjointed experience, but its inspiration is rather direct.
For years, Hollinrake has fascinated fans with her “witch-tech” artworks, creating colorful and imaginative worlds that captivated imaginations far and wide. After leaving the realm of big-name game development and teaming up with Mihajlović for technical expertise, the duo set out to bring one of her bewitching settings to life.
“Whenever I showcased art based on this world, the overwhelming feedback I received is how people wish they could step into these paintings,” Hollinrake shares. “Having dabbled in various roles along the art development pipeline, I specialize in bringing immersive worldbuilding to life. I want to create a space that’s joyfully nostalgic yet tinged with melancholy, a place where people feel truly at home.”
Every aspect of Crescent County aligns with its theme; it isn’t just a mesh of random mechanics. The core experience centers around protagonist Lu and the indispensable motorbroom. You begin your journey on the island with a race and quickly morph into the island’s delivery courier. This role expands into making new acquaintances, kindling potential romances, personalizing your apartment, and upgrading your broom to explore further and faster. Within this magical realm, motorbrooms aren’t just transportation—they’re a lifestyle.
“Motorbroom racing is almost a secretive sport; it’s practiced by a clique of the coolest folks around,” says Hollinrake. “With influences from the roller derby and skating communities—having a personal love for quad skating—we wanted to infuse that independent, rebellious spirit into this motorbroom subculture.”
Mihajlović expands on the racing idea: “It’s about friendly challenges, like racing to the mountain’s peak, rather than full-blown competitions with sponsors and audiences. Winning might score you secrets of the island or tips for unique broom parts, but you can always choose to slow down and enjoy bonding with a racer you fancy.”
This interconnected gameplay means that one activity blurs into another, crucial for building Lu’s life on the island. Every delivery, race, and decoration contributes to the game’s living ecosystem, almost like a life in motion.
“We’re curious about adding narrative depth to cozy home decoration beyond aesthetics,” Hollinrake explains. “Just like scavenging a second-hand marketplace, you fulfil tasks for islanders who return favors with unused furniture. Reflective of our early twenties’ shared rentals, we know how every single piece of décor can shape social dynamics. You need a dinner table for gatherings, turning mundane meals into long conversations—even if the pasta turns into a disaster!”
This setup creates a fulfilling gameplay loop—the more you explore and interact, the richer your experience becomes. Crafting Crescent County as a vibrant world instead of a mere sandbox is key. Days and nights revolve around your choices. You could deliver packages in daylight and race under the stars, encouraging you to pursue fascinating options over efficient ones.
Mihajlović details, “Each day brims with chances to earn cash, spruce up your flat, and unravel island secrets. Decide who to help, whether it’s for gossip, a broom upgrade, or a quirky friend—Rava promises her old ugly couch for rounding up sheep. Map your day or let spontaneity guide you; bring your odd furniture back home, set it up, and invite friends for a movie night—though you’re without a TV.”
All these elements coalesce beautifully thanks to the engaging broom mechanics and the enchanting Isle of Morah. The game’s connection to Hollinrake’s art infuses the world with curiosity, inviting players to explore as much as they work on Lu’s tasks. A significant aspect remains the personalization of your motorbroom.
“Customizing your broom is about reflecting your style and optimizing island traversal,” says Mihajlović. “Whether racing fast, cutting across fields, or gliding over gaps, different setups allow diverse gameplay. Sigil Stickers offer unique powers, like nudging competitors or rewinding botched maneuvers.”
The seamless integration of mechanics and storytelling in Crescent County isn’t just remarkable—it’s rare. This project seemed unlikely to thrive in conventional studios, but thanks to ID@Xbox, Electric Saint enjoys creative freedom.
Mihajlović expresses enthusiasm, “The ID@Xbox program and its predecessor, Xbox Live Arcade, gave rise to many games we adore and significantly impacted indie gaming. I fondly recall the Summer of Arcade, how energizing it was to see indie titles on consoles—it’s thrilling to now participate in this legacy.”
With a petite but passionate team, Crescent County’s release remains on the horizon, sans a definitive launch date. However, the current build vividly displays the wild ambition and inventive spirit defining Electric Saint. Echoing its motorbrooms, this game may seem unusual, but it already feels just right.
Crescent County is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist today!
