Non-Euclidean Worlds
Added 2019-07-22 08:59:11 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
A recent concept image from Jennifer for a Croquet Coaster found in the Circus Domain got me thinking about Escher-esque design concepts. There are a number of game developers implementing non-euclidean geometry in game engines and this is work I think we can continue when we start dev work on Alice: Asylum.
Posted above is a video which illustrates the implementation of this sort of thinking within a 3D-engine. Can you imagine the sort of fun we might have in Wonderland with this sort of tech?
Joey also sends along her efforts on a "Tear Maze" where I can imagine we would use these concepts in order to extend and expand the maze beyond what appears physically possible.
Now imagine for a moment that we take the fractal pattern-within-pattern visual concept and apply it to several critical elements of the game and narrative. How might the story of adult Alice fold into child Alice who then folds into adult Alice... on and on ad infinitum. Can you recall a fractal narrative?
Definitely a theme worth exploring. Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments below!
Crowd Design Session
We'll host a fresh new Crowd Design Session over on Discord tomorrow.
What is Discord? Click THIS LINK.
Pirate Jam 2020
A few of us (me, Alex, Jen) have spent some recent cycles developing a Marketing Pitch which we're sending to Unity. This idea is called "DOTS Ahoy" and turns Pirate Jam and related activities into a year-long effort which starts with a 3-month online game jam.
STOP - The following information is for Patrons only! - STOP
Please DO NOT share the following link. What's contained there is Work in Progress and it's not yet published to the public. It's for YOUR EYES ONLY.
I've published the DOTS Ahoy Jam details over on itch.io - hit THIS LINK to check it out.
We're looking for feedback on what's presented there. Here's a couple of questions to consider while reading through the page:
- Do you understand what's on offer?
- Do you want to participate?
- Is there anything unclear or in need of improvement?
Again, leave your feedback in the comments below. We're hoping to make what's presented as informative and compelling as possible. Thanks!
See you all on Discord tomorrow!
From Shanghai with Love,
-American (and Lulu)
Comments
RE: DOTS - 1) At the top of the page might be good to have a quick blurb that ties some reasoning around DOTS/Pirate Jam, like 'Forge new seas of game development with Unity cutting edge tech, etc....' 2) The teaser video would be good to edit down into something much shorter.
2019-07-23 02:52:46 +0000 UTCOk, I re-read the page.....I meant June (point one on the program details.
2019-07-23 00:20:54 +0000 UTCI feel that the website for Pirate Jam looks very compelling. I pretty much understand what is going and would be 100% on board with participating myself as a Game Art and Design student (I would love the experience). QUESTION: (more of a clarification for myself) Projects that are started after the start date (i.e. the June/July date) will or will not be accepted for entry? This is mainly clarification for myself. I understand that this is still a work in progress, and I may very well be misinterpreting or words. All in all, I'm actually quite excited. Looking forward to it!
2019-07-23 00:06:34 +0000 UTCFractal narratives and Non-Euclidean geometry, all sounds positively freaky, and big yes!
2019-07-22 20:57:24 +0000 UTCYes! Escher, Mandelbrot! Great game design inspirations. American: - I'd recommend the book Godel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid - I'd also recommend the game ANTICHAMBER, which uses very similar mind-bending game level puzzles including the "go around a corner that keeps going" featured in the Non-Euclidean video you posted here. - Also, if you told your music producer for Alice Asylum to use the VST called "Box of Tricks" by Soniccouture (made in collaboration with Imogen Heap), it has a Euclidean Beats sequencer which allows easily making beats which work according to maths and polyrhythms rather than traditional rhythm conventions. Google "box of tricks Euclidean" for a groovy demonstration! It could really benefit the music and sound design of these areas of the game
Connor Sol
2019-07-22 17:18:26 +0000 UTCThat is such a cool concept for like a way create escher type stuff in the game!
2019-07-22 15:09:20 +0000 UTCHe reminds me of Beaker from the Muppets. XD
2019-07-22 14:50:45 +0000 UTCReminds me of the game "untied chamber" they use the same method.
Saleh Abu-Rashid
2019-07-22 13:05:35 +0000 UTCOh my lord that tear maze, just beautiful.
2019-07-22 12:37:02 +0000 UTCLOVE the idea of non-euclidean geometry playing into the level design. There's something so Wonderland about it. I think the coaster and maze both look fab. As for Pirate Jam, I think it's pretty clear but I would offer a few SUGGESTIONS: Pirate Theme and Bonus category seem too similar. Either make the distinction more obvious or just lump them into one. Also, just a small nitpick, but shouldn't the graphics for the scoring go under Voting and Scoring Criteria, not Official Rules? In the Program Description you use winners (plural) several times but on the fourth bullet you use winner (singular) Under "Sail and Explore" you have 'get amongst' which doesn't sound like Standard English or Standard Pirate. XD Perhaps you could say "get away amongst"? Looks pretty good for the most part! Looking forward to the live stream this week.
Anna Lepper
2019-07-22 11:24:28 +0000 UTCOMG This idea of trickery would be amazing in the labrinth. This would add to that unsettling feeling. One thing thing I find many psychological horror game fail at is well the psychological part. LOL They rely on senses which Yes is kinda psychological, but it more related the it it’s self. I look forward to this game because it feels deeper and darker. It looks like it will not only mess with you senses, but you perception, and with your mind it’s self.
2019-07-22 11:08:33 +0000 UTCFern can be a metaphor for family too as each plant growing from the same rhizome. No flower! Now suck on something else bumble-Bumby.
Make Nine Inch Nails great again
2019-07-22 09:32:02 +0000 UTCMathematics are a big part of Alice, in fact, Dodgson was a fellow mathematician himself. If you are interested, I suggest you the book A tangled tale. Also, he wrote about euclidean geometry, Euclid and his modern rivals if I'm not wrong.
2019-07-22 09:20:35 +0000 UTCThat would be amazing and so metanarrative; very Aliceesque indeed!
2019-07-22 09:09:41 +0000 UTCWhen I hear "fractal" I think "fern". So, something in-fern-al for sure.
Make Nine Inch Nails great again
2019-07-22 09:09:13 +0000 UTC
