Critical Hit 2015, the incubator for experimental wearable games that I’m currently taking part in, is still going strong. After Fruit Fever, we formed new teams to do our second big prototype. This time we wanted to do a theatrical experience with a non-linear story.
After the brainstorming, we came up with (un)done, a story about love and break-up. Two players face each other, wearing ponchos with strings dangling from them. When they tie a string together, they hear a positive memory from the couple’s relationship, like the first date or kiss, moving in together or getting a pet. When they open a knot instead, a sad memory will play: a fight, a thing they hate about each other or just drifting apart. By players tying und untying different strings (and with the help of a little randomness), the story that unfolds is always different.
Additionally, a woven screen on which generative art is projected separates the players from an audience. The more strings are tied, the more colorful and intricate the projected art becomes; when knots are opened, the projection is slowly erased again. In the end, the projection is blank again and nothing remains but the memory of what once was there.
This project was a lot of fun and very interesting. I never made a theatrical experience before – and additionally, I wanted to learn how to deal with electronics and soldering and expand my knowledge about the Arduino. Thanks to my team and all the helpful other participants and mentors at Critical Hit that was a big success!
And now I proudly present:
Step in the shoes of a couple as they meet,
fall in love, fight, and fall apart again.
Embody a relationship as you tie and
untie yourself with the other player, in:
(un)done, an intimate non-linear audio game
made at Critical Hit 2015!
Credits:
- Amanda Tom: Writing, Sewing, Weaving
- Kara Stone: Writing, Sewing, Weaving, Sound
- Kailin Zhu: Electronics, Sewing, Weaving, Arduino Programming
- Tobias Wehrum: Electronics/Soldering, Game Programming, Generative Art
- Voice Acting by Ida Marie Toft and Jessica Rose Marcotte
- Music by Nicole Pacampara
- Font by typeSETit
This project was made possible through the Technoculture, Art and Games Research Center’s Critical Hit: Games Collaboratory and the support of Concordia University and Dawson College and financial contribution of the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie.
Pictures of the work in progress and the final game
