Experimental Games

The Binding of Isaac: Study

The Binding of Isaac Intro:

The Character is named Isaac, and the game’s title takes inspiration from the biblical parable of the binding of Isaac, wherein Abraham sacrifices his one and only son to prove his sworn fealty to God. Alongside the gruesome visuals, the game’s aesthetic embodies a religious aspect to it. The Mother – the main antagonist locks Isaac in his bedroom while also taking away his possessions i.e. toys and clothes, she sees this as “corrupting agents”. The Mother was simply inspired by her religious programmes and inevitably led her to do these actions.

The Aesthetic:

When playing the Binding of Isaac, the player is taken through a plethora of gruesome images, giving of sense mental and psychological breakdown that the character is going through. The colour palette chosen for this game is mainly Red. Association with this colour includes threat, anger, violence as well as sacrifice. When getting inside the game, the character is immediately thrown into the basement to do “God’s Work”.

The Main Protagonist, Isaac, seems out of place in the game’s environment; this is where the traumatic aesthetic comes into play. Isaac, as you may know, is a child abused by his mother due to religious fanaticism, the images you may see within the game are the sort of graphic memory a child would want to repress.

After beating Isaac’s mother, the player will progress through the chapter called “The Womb”, this is where all the enemies will increase all damage from a half heart to full damage, nonetheless this level overall environment is beyond gruesome; the colour red also comes into contrast with the threatening and uneasy feel when entering this level, walls are coloured a “bloody” red with flesh; almost pulsating in motion – a true horrific experience.

This “Womb” Chapter symbolises a “Rebirthing”, Isaac must go through this level in order for him to claim his life and to finally be “Reborn”. Another religious aspect that could provide the player some advantage to passing this level is by having an ability called “The Wafer.” This obviously is a reference to the Body of Christ – by having this ability, the damage will be reduced from full heart to a half heart, this gameplay aspect pertains to the player to “seek salvation” or “forgiveness” to the Lord.

Finally, another gameplay mechanic I would like to mention is the ability to take down enemies with tears, this unique style of combat is essentially the power of childhood trauma. Instead of repressing the trauma, Isaac “lets it all out” on the enemies, his tears symbolises sadness and trauma and this game simply showcase how powerful it can be when a child experiences such horror.

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

The Shelter: Two-Page Pitch

The link below is my personal 2 page pitch and my idea for an experimental game, it is a psychological thriller/horror interactive puzzle game called The Shelter.

2 Page Pitch link: file:///C:/Users/jsiri/Desktop/UWL/Experimental%20Games/THE%20SHELTER%20PITCH%202.pdf

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

The Design Documents

The three links below consist of the Greybox game GDD, this game has only two levels and features 2 abilities: to cange colour depending what time of day it is as well as an "X-Ray Torch". The second GDD is the inital draft, which consist of features that have not been implemented into the final game and finally, the third is the Final GDD, which consists of 4 levels, and three new abilities: colour changing effect, The xray torch and a new ability to scan the area.

GDD Greybox

Below is the link to our team's greybox game:

GDD Greybox Link: file:///C:/Users/jsiri/Desktop/UWL/Experimental%20Games/GDD%20(World%20Game)%20-%20GREYBOX.pdf

GDD Final Draft

Below is the link to our team's GDD of the final game, within it is the game's 2 page pitch, summary, changelog, screenshots and mood boards. It is a complete overhaul from the previous GDD.

GDD Full Game Link: file:///C:/Users/jsiri/Desktop/UWL/Experimental%20Games/GDD%20(World%20Game)%205.pdf

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

GDD Initial Draft

Initial GDD Link: file:///C:/Users/jsiri/Desktop/UWL/Experimental%20Games/GDD%20(World%20Game)%202.pdf

Game Teaser and Gameplay Video

The videos below are the teaser and gameplay video for Wanderer/Traveller, the game consists of 4 different levels, one of the apartment, a desert level, fantasy level and finally the cyberpunk level. the premise of this experimental game is to showcase different worlds the player can travel to that will completely take them out of their element!

Teaser

https://youtu.be/m3zO9C4_dCU

Gameplay

https://youtu.be/mipTxHXHVG0

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Xray Torch script screenshots

XrayTorch1

XrayMaterialMaskTexture

XrayTorch2

XrayTorch1

1/3

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Colour Changer script screenshots

ChangeColourXrayColours

ChangeColourWorldBGColour

ChangeColourMatInstColours

ChangeColourXrayColours

1/5

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Scan Area script screenshots

ScanAreaObjectHighlight

ScanAreaNormalColour

ScanAreaMatInstColours

ScanAreaObjectHighlight

1/7

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

In-Game screenshots

MainMenu1

MainMenu2

Cyber14

MainMenu1

1/41

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Appendix

The Development Team

John Sirilan: Developer, Documentation
Josh Da Silva: Documentation, Concept Artist
Kyran Rai: Documentation, Concept Artist

References

Reflections (2019) Available at: https://atk16001638blog.wordpress.com/2019/01/25/reflections/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Morphweasel (n.d.) When We Were One. Available at: http://www.morphweasel.com/creating-when-we-were-one/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Trudie Skies (n.d.) Available at: https://trudieskies.com/desert-video-games/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Topham, M (n.d.) Crimson Desert the most beautiful game I’ve ever seen — at least from these gorgeous trailers Available at: https://leosigh.com/crimson-desert-the-most-beautiful-game-ive-ever-seen-at-least-from-these-gorgeous-trailers/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Video Games Artwork (n.d.) Alik’r Desert Concept. Available at: https://www.videogamesartwork.com/games/elder-scrolls-online/alikr-desert-concept (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Kain, E (n.d.) “Assassin’s Creed Origins” Predicted The Great Pyramid Of Giza Discovery. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/11/04/assassins-creed-origins-predicted-the-great-pyramid-of-giza-discovery/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Cyberpunk landscape (n.d.) Available at: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/513551163749674551/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Cyberpunk Scenery (n.d.) Available at: https://imgur.com/gallery/m0nHDgM (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Serene cyberpunk Landscape (n.d.) Available at: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1620303412 (Accessed 15 April 2021).

A cyberpunk wallpaper (n.d.) Available at: https://www.goodfon.com/wallpaper/rpg-video-game-night-city-cd-projekt-red-cyberpunk-2077.html (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Cyberpunk 2077 Developer CD Projekt Red Refuses To Abandon The Game. (2021) Available at: https://screenrant.com/cyberpunk-2077-cd-projekt-red-wont-abandon-game/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Megabuilding (n.d.) Available at: https://cyberpunk.fandom.com/wiki/Megabuilding (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Edlin, T (2013) Game Landscapes. Available at: https://www.cuded.com/game-landscapes-by-tyler-edlin/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Fantasy landscape concepts that are awe inspiring forever (2019) Available at: https://www.designyourway.net/art/fantasy-landscape/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Epic Games (n.d.) Screenshot of game called Paragon. Available at: https://twitter.com/juliadeanneh/status/708536387482624000 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Rhodes, M (n.d.) Dragon Age: Inquisition Concept Art and Illustrations. Available at: https://conceptartworld.com/news/dragon-age-inquisition-concept-art-by-matt-rhodes/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Imaginative Game Concept Artworks. (2013) Available at: https://www.stockvault.net/blog/design/imaginative-game-concept-artworks/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Primeau, S (2016) Assassin’s Creed Origins Canyon Desert Oasis. Available at: https://www.artstation.com/sprimeau (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Gamespot Staff (2011) American McGee turning free-to-play after Alice. Available at: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/american-mcgee-turning-to-free-to-play-after-alice/1100-6303155/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Electronic Arts (2011) American McGee’s Alice. Available at: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/alice/american-mcgees-alice (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Khan, S (2015) After 150 years, we still haven’t solved the puzzle of Alice in Wonderland. Available at: https://theconversation.com/after-150-years-we-still-havent-solved-the-puzzle-of-alice-in-wonderland-44049 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Byrnes, K (2020) Sydney’s Wonderland Bar Is Opening Three Magically Themed Hotel Rooms. Available at: https://awol.junkee.com/harry-potter-themed-hotels-rooms-sydney/89856 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Song, A (2010) Mad Hatter’s House Concept Art. Available at: https://www.deviantart.com/angela-song-art/art/Mad-Hatter-s-House-Concept-Art-162232446 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Alice in Wonderland outdoor dining table in backyard (n.d.) Available at: https://www.rinoadiary.it/soluzione/kingdom_hearts/?page=testo_soluzione_paese_delle_meraviglie-b (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Decker, L (2011) ALICE: MADNESS RETURNS REVIEW. Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/alice-madness-returns-review/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Alice in Wonderland town exterior (2016) Available at: https://twitter.com/pisces1049/status/753550744519704576 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Herrera, K (2013) Places: The Wonders Of A Dark Wonderland In Alice Madness Returns. Available at: https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/02/26/places-nothing-wonderful-about-this-wonderland.aspx (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Fantasy_Girl_ (n.d.) Fantasy Landscape. Available at: https://www.zedge.net/wallpaper/70130327-a1d5-333e-89f7-112f6fc66771 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

emviko (n.d.) Fantastical moonrise on a field and forest. Available at https://www.fiverr.com/emviko/create-a-fantasy-landscape-or-background-for-you (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Zelda Landscape Wallpapers (n.d.) Available at: https://wallpaperaccess.com/zelda-landscape (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Fantastical Village Exterior (n.d.) Available at: https://twitter.com/ooiur/status/1353074011123503106 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Dark Souls 3 Walpaper (n.d.) Available at: https://www.wallpaperuse.com/vien/hJhbw/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Kim, J.Y. (n.d.) Flying Taxi. Available at: https://pixelcurse.com/digital-art/30-stunning-fantasy-architecture-illustrations (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Edlin, T (n.d.) Art Fortress. Available at: https://www.artofit.org/image-gallery/147563325280025453/%E2%80%A2-art-fortress-on-instagram-%E2%80%9Cby-@tyler_edlin_art-_______________________________-painting-art-digitalart-artwork-drawing-artstation-artoftheday-fantasy%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D/ (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Fantasy Gardens (2020) Available at: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KaNGnW (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Wallpaper of Dragon (n.d.) Available at: https://wallhere.com/en/wallpaper/1745381 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Wallpaper of HD Castle (n.d.) Available at: https://wallhere.com/en/wallpaper/1745229 (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Redmer, D (2015) Fantasy Architecture. Available at: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/klyWy (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Roux, J (2015) Sky City Available at: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/xYvdO (Accessed: 15 April 2021).

Epic Games (2018) Soul: City Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/soul-city (Accessed: 11 April 2021).

Advanced Asset Packs (2015) Advanced Village Pack Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/advanced-village-pack (Accessed: 11 April 2021).

Epic Games (2019) Infinity Blade: Castle Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/infinity-blade-castle (Accessed: 11 April 2021).

Bad Rhino Games (2018) Stylized Desert Environment Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/stylized-desert-environment (Accessed: 11 April 2021).

3Dfrk (2018) Picture frames with photos. Available at: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/interior/picture-frames-with-photos-106907 (Accessed: 25 February 2021).

John Leonard French (2016) Western Audio & Music Available at: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/audio/sound-fx/western-audio-music-67788 (Accessed: 12 April 2021).

Transparent Note Paper Png - Note Paper Png, Png Download (n.d.) Available at: https://www.vhv.rs/viewpic/hbxmimJ_transparent-note-paper-png-note-paper-png-png/ (Accessed: 12 April 2021).

Epic Games (2020) Edith Finch: Sam Room Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/ef-sam Accessed (14 April 2021).

Epic Games (2020) Edith Finch: Edie Room Available at: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/ef-edie Accessed (14 April 2021).