A Change of Fate?
Conceptualization
I wanted to create a narrative based game that focuses on the concept of our mortality through "false control". How our confirmation bias' will make up the choices that we decide to take but they tend to make us forget that life will say otherwise.
When it comes to player choice it'll be a mix of actual/fake choices since all of their outcomes lead to the same ending, it is the ultimate fate of eveyone's lives. The duality between those things we attempt to have control over and things we all possess is what will define the beauty of this game. It's immersion will vary from the person playing it to the presentation of the world surrounding the story. Emphasis on the illusion of choice is crucial as it puts into question how the things we encounter throughout our lives, the things that make us feel in control is a ploy created by us and for what?
Furthermore, the duality of the two creates a balance of life we always find ourselves coming back to (a reflection of things we unconsciously ignore, yet what we continue to put up with in our lives). The ambigous nature of life is one of the few features that elevates the immersion of the game. That despite everyone and their lives being different, we're all similar in that the more we try to run from our ultimate fate the closer we get to it.
Recommendations
These are but a few things you should consider, feedback on these points would be greatly appreciated!
1. Don't think to hard about choices, just make choices like you would any other day.
2. Don't regret your choices, everything you've done has made you who you are today.
3. Control is something you've been accustomed to, forget this programming.
4. What does fate mean to you? Well I can't you, you must tell yourself.
5. Take your time because you don't want to miss anything that is said before your fate.
6. Accept that you finished the game and move forward, you always have done it.
7. There is no right or wrong answer, only an answer that defines your views.
8. This game has sound, whether you choose to listen to it is on you.
Disclaimer
The following topic(s) have been of discussion since the foundation of class and logic in society, take these conversations with a grain of salt. There are no defintions in this story, what it means and what it's purpose is depends on the person who has "control" over the story. Elements of the game may become annoying at certain points, but just remember that what it means relates to how you the player, experiences your life.
Comments
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I’m not sure if this was because of my device, but a lot of the texts where it is long enough it line breaks, the end of the line is cut off so that I can’t read the full sentence. I could make out what it probably says, but I couldn’t figure out a fix. The text, when it renders, also flashes once before fully rendering, which I thought was weird if it was done on purpose. Otherwise, the game is really visually appealing! I really like the background effects, but I thought it made the text a bit hard to read since the green and the text green is the same.
I thought the choices were quite confusing, but I think that added to the idea of the game in a really nice way. It didn’t feel linear at all but the discussion certainly felt like there was progression.
In terms of the story, I liked how it eventually flipped around from the game asking us players the questions to us questioning the player. The forfeit of power feels surprisingly refreshing during the play through and makes you feel in control after being interrogated by the game earlier.
I am not sure if there are other endings, but I really like the ending that I got where the game said this discussion was pointless. It really goes back to the beginning in a nice way and the background visuals reflect that too. The background also shifts as the tone of the conversation changes which I think is a good touch. In general, I really enjoyed the experience the game gave me.
I liked that sometimes I was only given once choice. While this was somewhat frustrating during the game I grew to appreciate it because sometimes that’s just how life goes– sometimes we only have one option. I also liked that there was no impact regarding individual choices on the outcome of the game. This allowed me to be more free with my choices and explore the narrative of the game more. Because there wasn’t risk associated with the choices I leaned into the story more which was nice. It’s interesting because I feel like it started off with the game questioning me and speaking with harsh tones but it ended with me consoling the game. Really cool dynamic happening in this game.
The way that the type is revealed on the screen is really beautiful and plays into the game’s feeling of deep thought and pensiveness which is lovely. However, I’m not sure if it was my computer that had the problem but the text was cut off a lot.
Small note but I liked that the start and end scenes have the same image. Makes it feel full circle. The music also compliments the tone of the game really well.
I really enjoyed playing this, and think that the concept behind this is well thought out. I like the idea that every decision will lead to the same outcome, and you're exploring all the paths to get there. The only things that I would suggest to change would be the text that gets cut off sometimes at the end of sentences. Also, I found that sometimes the choices that led to the background without the computer hacker graphics where more powerful than the ones with.
The amount of detail put into this game and the design itself is very thoughtful and just overall very cool! It feels like you’re genuinely having a conversation with the computer. I think the recommendations are very helpful and allowed players to understand the concept.I will say though is that some of the letters on the far right of the sentences are about a letter cut off.
I love your game so much! In first glance it felt like a existential lecture that the creator is trying to force onto players, but it grow more once the player attach themselves more into the questions and situations brought up by the narrator, it felt like the player is having a calm and deep conversation with the game itself and affecting each other's thoughts instead of being told to think of whatever it says. That is really hard to achieve and i think you nailed it!!!
I also love the design direction, very tranquil and thought provoking. It felt like the player is talking to a super computer with the spirit of the creator attached into the codes.
The blinking choices could be a little hard to read but they add a feeling of uncertainty reflected by the narration, so i think its okay to stay that way.