Inspiration
Embedded Files
In the world of Avatar the Last Airbender, Toph Beifong is and a blind Earthbender introduced in season 2 of the series. Earthbending, and any type of “Bending” is this world’s “Magic”. Characters are able to manipulate and the elements to their will at proximity. Born blind, Toph was overly mothered by her parents which pushed her away to them into discovering earthbending on her own. Being taught by blind animals, she eventually learned to “see” as long as she has ground.
Prototype
The first thing I did was test out how it would be to be a fish, in a coral reef. Snooping and swimming around, blind, trying to find food and run away from pay. First thing I did was the shader, which is an intersection shader I used for another game, and it worked perfectly with this game. Next I did the swimming. I then realized that the effect was satisfying to look at, specially in organic geometry, and enclosed geometry like a cave.
THE REALIZATION
The game does not need, enemies, external pressure or anything. Looking at this effect, listening to sounds, and moving around was enough. It felt like ZEN
THE GAME
DANIEL and TOPH
Like DANIEL, there are many people who actively use Echolocation to navigate around the world. So even if TOPH used “magic” she could be real… why not make a game about her?
SPOILERS
What if I make about a girl “lost” exploring a cave. Instead of being scared of the sounds, (an average child would be scared of), she is intrigued and attracted to them. But like TOPH’s parents, her parents are worried looking for her. Will she come out of the cave as soon as she hears them… or will she keep exploring until she gets bored?
ART
The Enzo, a popular Zen Buddhist icon similar to the circle above, is the depiction of a masterful action, done in such a freeing way. It is perfect in its imperfection. It uses brush strokes. So I made this digital art with that in mind.
FONT
Bing inspired by Zen, I wanted a font which shows freedom but elegance… I started looking at cursive fonts, but they seemed more elegant than free. Therefore I stuck with Playful Design, a google font.
PERHAPS
FROM GAME TO MORE
The game is to experience the world in the shoes of a blind girl with heightened hearing sense. But what if this game could also be for people that are actually blind? If I had the expertise, the time, and the resources, I would love for this game to be played by someone that is actually blind. Perhaps this game can show that it is possible. And although there are many things I would love to add to this game, that would be my priority.
A Final Note
It has been a pleasure making this game for the Expressive Game Design Module… I fell in love with the concept of the language games speak, with the idea of the magic circle. But what I will take from this project the most, is the power of making games from an experience. The fact that Zelda was made from a childhood experience of it creator has allowed me to view at Game Design from a refreshing new perspective and has given me confidence to design games.
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