Written by
Valo Motion
on
April 1, 2025
•
# min read
Behind the scenes of Groundfall's game development
What happens when you bring childhood nostalgia to life with cutting-edge technology? You get Groundfall, our most-played game in ValoArena – and our latest viral phenomenon! With millions of global views and gameplay hours to match, Groundfall is a testament to what makes our team tick at Valo Motion – creating fun, innovative, and universally engaging experiences. One of the maestros behind the game development was Lauri Lehtonen, our Lead Developer. Read on to find out how it feels to develop games that go viral!
What makes Groundfall a smash hit?
First of all, what is Groundfall?
“Groundfall is the ultimate reimagination of the classic childhood game “The Floor is Lava.” The game drops players into an arena where they must dash across safe tiles as the rest of the floor crumbles into, you guessed it, lava”, Lauri explains. “It was a very natural fit for the game mechanics because lava communicates danger really well, and it’s a recognizable theme for many.”
Add in ValoArena’s motion-tracking magic and the thrill of competing with friends, and you’ve got a game that has everyone hooked – kids, teens, and adults alike. Each quick-paced two-minute match tests your reflexes, keeps you moving, and leaves you craving “just one more round.” It’s no wonder that Groundfall accounts for over half of all gameplay hours in ValoArena.
Over the past two years, this game favorite has captivated audiences across the globe with its thrilling gameplay and nostalgia-packed appeal. See for yourself and you get what everyone thinks:
But here’s a fun twist in the tale. Did you know Valo Motion’s story began with a viral moment too? Back in 2016, a video of our Joni Vähämäki and Leo Holsti playing for a ValoClimb turned heads when it blew up on Facebook. Fast forward to 2024, and it feels like we’ve come full circle.
The creative spark behind Groundfall
Making a game like Groundfall takes creativity, teamwork, and a bit of luck. Lauri shares how the game came to life during ValoArena’s development: “We tried out lots of different ideas for a lava-themed game. One day, we tested a completely different prototype. When we started jumping onto safe tiles to avoid falling, it was instantly fun. That’s when we knew we had something special."
One day, we tested a completely different prototype. When we started jumping onto safe tiles to avoid falling, it was instantly fun. That’s when we knew we had something special.
What’s your favorite memory from Groundfall’s development, Lauri?
“The first time we saw the game running in the full setup with the complete floor space sticks with me. There was something oddly effortless about the way it played. It felt distinct from other games – more intuitive and light. It was engaging but required low mental effort. It somehow felt magical how the tech just faded away when you were playing it. I still remember the intuitive, lighthearted fun of that first run!” Lauri shares.
There was something oddly effortless about the way it played. It felt distinct from other games – more intuitive and light.
The creation of Groundfall was a lucky breakthrough. Lauri describes the process as almost magical. “It felt like everything clicked,” he says. “The gameplay had the right balance of challenge and fun, and the theme worked for everyone.”
Interestingly, one idea from the original prototype – having players walk on narrow paths – still appears in one of Groundfall’s levels, as a nod to its beginnings.
The game is still being evolved with new features, keeping it a fresh classic over the years.
“We recently added a ‘sudden death’ mode to the endless level because some players were getting too good at the game. It’s an exciting twist that pushes skilled players even further. Once they get far enough, the floor stops respawning, and players need to leap quickly from one platform to the next.”
The secret sauce behind Valo Motion’s games
At Valo Motion, going viral isn’t just luck – it’s about creating moments that bring people together. Whether it’s Groundfall, ValoJump, or ValoClimb, our goal is always to make games that are fun, exciting, and easy to share with the in-built video-sharing functionality, that allows you to receive game videos you played directly by email.
The secret is to start with the motion-tracking technology, add gameplay that everyone can enjoy, and design for active, social fun. Our games are simple to start but challenging to master, so players keep coming back for more.
Here, Lauri says the experience has reshaped his perspective on game design. “I’ve learned to appreciate simplicity even more now. Adding features just to utilize all available tech or because they’re in the backlog can overcomplicate things and hurt the experience.”
I’ve learned to appreciate simplicity even more now. Adding features just to utilize all available tech or because they’re in the backlog can overcomplicate things and hurt the experience.
He emphasizes relatability as a key element of appeal. “Is the game about something players know, but offers it in a novel way? If it’s too familiar, it can be boring. If it’s completely new, it’s hard for people to find it appealing. The magic happens when it’s a mix of both.”
What advice would you give to someone who wants to create games that are both fun and meaningful?
“A game has no meaning unless a player gives it meaning. Think about what novel emotional experiences your game can provide. Can it create excitement, offer tension and relief, or allow self-expression? The substance has to come first. Of course, the technical side matters too. If a game has flaws, players lose trust, and its meaning is lost. But just fixing flaws won’t make a great game: it needs heart”, Lauri says.
And most importantly, he reminds us about the importance of passion. “Players can sense the love and effort put into a game. If the development team didn’t care about it, players won’t either.”
Players can sense the love and effort put into a game.
On our way to 1M game plays a day by 2030
From our first viral moment in 2016 to Groundfall’s ongoing buzz since 2024, one thing has remained constant: our passion for pushing the boundaries of what games can do. Every round of gameplay motivates us to keep innovating. We have an ambitious goal to reach 1M plays a day by 2030 – so we are definitely serious about fun.
And who knows? Maybe the next big hit will come from an idea that starts from you? We are growing our team in 2025, so make sure to follow us on LinkedIn. Until then, you can play the Groundfall game by booking a playtime at ValoHalli in Helsinki! see you in the arena!
