High on Life 2 Releases – How Squanch Builds Jokes with Players

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High On Life 2 is now available, continuing the series’ focus on absurdist, rapid-fire comedy. Alongside the launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, the game supports Xbox Play Anywhere and arrives day one in Game Pass Ultimate. To mark the release, Narrative Director Alec Robbins outlined how the team approaches writing gags that work in an interactive setting. The core principle is simple and iterative – the joke has to land with the developers first, then be tuned to involve the player in the delivery.

What the Team Says About Making Jokes That Play

Robbins describes a development loop where ideas are stress-tested by laughter inside the studio before they ever reach the script or the level. Many bits are born from moments the writers personally find funny or from scenarios they have long wanted to see in a game.

“If it makes us laugh, nine times out of ten it makes it into the game.”

That can range from throwaway lines to fully built set pieces. Robbins points to wild detours as proof of the team’s commitment to a gag when it works.

“Sometimes that’s a random line of dialogue, other times it’s ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if we made a real, fully-fleshed-out murder mystery?’”

Character voice remains central to their process – the tone and personality of each character steer which jokes survive and how they’re staged for players.

“Most jokes in the game come from either something that’s making us personally laugh or from something we’ve always wanted to see in a video game… A huge amount of jokes come from the characters themselves.”

Designing Humor with – Not at – the Player

The sequel’s writing aims to tell jokes with the player – timing, choices, and moment-to-moment interaction are treated as part of the setup and payoff. This approach blends Squanch Games’ comedic voice with systems that let players help carry the punchline, rather than watch it from the sidelines.

Launch Availability and Support

The release targets a broad Xbox and PC audience with cross-ownership features and subscription access. Below is a quick look at where and how you can play.

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How Jokes Make the Cut

• Laugh test first – material that amuses the team is prioritized for prototyping.
• From quips to quests – jokes can be a single line or expand into full scenarios.
• Character-driven comedy – personalities dictate tone, pacing, and delivery.
• Player-inclusive design – interaction and timing are part of the punchline.

Why It Matters for Players

The Bottom Line – High On Life 2 doubles down on a collaborative style of comedy that treats players as co-conspirators. If you’re after narrative gags that flex with your actions, this sequel is built to let you be part of the bit.