Donut County doesn’t glaze over gentrification

Donut County is an adorable game where you play a hole in the ground. Minimalistic though that may sound, it’s neither easy to make — nor does it have a simple message to convey. Developer Ben Esposito has teamed up with publisher Annapurna Interactive to launch the title on PC, PlayStation 4, and iOS on August 28.

Esposito describes himself as “in love with L.A. in a serious way,” and much of the scenery in Donut County evokes classic Los Angeles landmarks — like Randy’s Donut, which advertises itself with an enormous rotating treat; or Griffith Observatory, which has appeared in movies like Rebel Without a Cause. His love affair with the city is also reflected in the symbolic importance of the donut, which is ubiquitous throughout town.