Adventure Time Creator Pendleton Ward Credits Super Smash Bros. and Skyrim Glitches as Inspiration for New Animated Project
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward discusses how Super Smash Bros., Skyrim glitches, and Noita inspired his new Adult Swim animated special, The Elephant.
Pendleton Ward, the creative mind behind Adventure Time, is returning to the animation spotlight with a new project that leans heavily into his unique gaming habits. Titled The Elephant, the upcoming Adult Swim special reunites Ward with fellow industry heavyweights Rebecca Sugar, Ian Jones-Quartey, and Patrick McHale. As reported by Polygon in their original feature, the three-part special features plenty of distinct video game nods, including side-scrolling aesthetics and platforming sequences directly inspired by team members who play Super Smash Bros.
While working on the special, Ward leaned into his identity as a casual player who prefers exploration over intense competition. Instead of engaging in high-stress multiplayer matches, Ward shared that he often finds more joy in breaking games, such as spending hours trying to scale restricted mountains in Skyrim by exploiting physics vertices and glitching through the terrain. That appreciation for chaotic game mechanics also extends to his current rotation, which heavily features the notoriously punishing indie roguelike Noita.
For Ward, Noita remains a staple because of its fully destructible pixel physics and the sheer absurdity of its procedurally generated deaths. He noted that the game's steep learning curve and infinite hidden depths provide the kind of replay value that keeps him coming back years after release. Fans of both Ward's animation style and his eclectic gaming tastes can catch The Elephant when it premieres on Adult Swim, with streaming availability following immediately on Max.
Tags: Animation, Gaming Culture, Indie Games, Super Smash Bros, Television
Original article: Polygon