Eclipse Town: Interview with Game Developer Sebastian Sommer

Sebastian Sommer made a name for himself with his AI feature film Dragon, bringing him to a commercial space. The film was initially acquired for distribution by Fawesome, streaming alongside Hollywood titles. It has since expanded to VOD platforms Plex and Xumo. But with his new project Eclipse Town, Sommer is turning toward video games and, as it turns out, toward a whole new way of telling stories.

Dragon was a bold experiment in AI driven storytelling, blending human creativity with machine generated ideas in new ways. It challenged conventional notions of filmmaking while maintaining a coherent narrative, earning both praise and controversy. The film’s success showed that pushing boundaries could resonate with audiences, even if it defied traditional expectations. Dragon also demonstrated that AI could be a collaborator rather than just a tool, opening doors to entirely new storytelling possibilities.

Although details remain under wraps, what can he tell us about the game Eclipse Town? “I am inspired by my favorite video games.” When asked about his creative journey and the hurdles he’s faced, Sommer replied. “Some of the people I worked with early on were creepy liars. They were trying to frame me negatively for their benefit. They were trying to use me. And all I did was make short films? What a joke.”

Sommer has officially become a video game developer. He laughs. “Eclipse Town has been in my head for a while.” he says.  He admits that parts of his life have been equally unpredictable. “I had to come to terms with the fact that my brother is lame.” he says. “He wanted to hurt me and put my life in danger and then try to flip it on me. I think back to all the times I showed up for him in life and I regret it. I just want distance at this point.”

It’s clear that for Sommer, art has become a way of processing what can’t be said directly. “When you go through stuff like that, you either shut down or you find a way to turn it into something creative,” he continues. “I also had to come to terms with the fact that Google is disappointing. They keep putting images and titles near my name that I want nothing to do with. It feels surprisingly
incompetent.”

When asked what drew him to games after a decade in film, he doesn’t hesitate. “I wanted to make games before I got into film.” He talks about wanting to make something that feels timeless and fresh, referencing Twin Peaks, Link’s Awakening, and Final Fantasy 9. He’s also realistic about how long it takes to build something from the ground up. “I would rather make something real and at my own pace than rush to fit a trend.”

Eclipse Town is envisioned as a living, breathing world where player choices ripple through the story, creating a sense of immersion unlike anything Sommer has done before. Sommer pauses for a moment. “I am excited about creating the music for the game. A big part of my love for some of these older games are their memorable soundtracks. I want the music to feel like a character itself, guiding players through the moods of the world.”

Eclipse Town represents not just a new creative direction for Sommer, but also an evolution. The lingering impact of Dragon, his AI feature that pushed boundaries, still echoes in his work. But Eclipse Town takes that further. This time he is shaping a world where atmosphere takes precedence. He is making the kind of game that he would have played growing up. With Eclipse Town, Sommer isn’t just building a world, he’s crafting an experience that lingers long afterwards.

You can watch his feature film Dragon here: https://fawesome.tv/movies/10649802/dragon