Unsinkable Sam
The jump’n’run action adventure UNSINKABLE SAM tells the story of the most famous ship’s cat of the Second World War — a cat that survived three sinkings. From July, the project will be on show in the special exhibition “Animals on Board” at the German Maritime Museum.
Nine lives, three sinkings
UNSINKABLE SAM was created as a funded serious game with the support of FFF Bayern and the German federal computer games funding programme. The goal: to give young people a low-threshold, interactive way into the history of the Second World War and its consequences.
At its heart is the true story of the famous ship’s cat Sam, who survived the sinking of three warships in a row. By shifting the perspective — away from heroic soldier narratives and towards the view of a small tomcat — the game makes historical events emotionally tangible without glorifying war.
A graphic novel in motion
UNSINKABLE SAM was designed in a hand-drawn graphic novel style. The visual language draws on classic illustration, old wartime posters and a storybook look.
This creates a distinctive tension: the charming, almost comic-like artwork builds emotional closeness while leaving enough distance to convey the serious historical content with sensitivity.
Historically grounded, playfully told
In production, UNSINKABLE SAM combines hand-drawn 2D elements with spatially constructed game environments. Historical settings, ship interiors and level sections were developed on the basis of real events and original plans — with a particular focus on the Bismarck, HMS Cossack and HMS Ark Royal.
The gameplay follows Sam’s perspective throughout: jumping, climbing, picking up objects, interacting with sailors. Mechanics such as meowing, claw actions and “charming” create playful puzzles closely tied to the story — complemented by diaries and info panels with historical background.
Sam goes aboard
A roughly 15-minute gameplay demo of UNSINKABLE SAM is now playable at the German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven — as part of the special exhibition “Animals on Board”.
