https://rhetoricofgaming.digitalwcu.org/escapewiththeseasons/
Hey everyone! I can’t get my game to work on this website, but it’s going along great. I’ll be figuring out how to embed it tomorrow. But in the meantime, here’s my notes on the game’s concept, plotline, etc. (in order) if it helps any of you get an idea of what I’m working on.
Wake up Christmas morning with an eager start. 7-8 years old
Get a Gameboy Color, Pokemon Blue.
New Year’s Eve Party. Pop-Pop’s depression. What’s wrong with Pop-Pop?
Interact with Uncle: “Men don’t hug.”
– Give him a hug. He needs a hug.
– Shake his hand and chuckle politely
– “I’m 8 years old.”
– “You’re 8 years old.”
– “What? What did you just say?”
– Nothing.
– You heard me bitch
– I’m 8 years old.
– Oh ok, yes, you certainly are.
Are you remembering this correctly? Are you sure?
– Of course
– Rosy at best
Family clatter drowns out the sound of dead air. But your Pop-Pop sits in it, in the back-room. He’s reading a book. He looks like he’s sleeping.
Fight/Defeat your Pop-Pop’s Depression. What will you do? You have 5 minutes before he forgets your name and checks out mentally. Wisely choose one of the following.
– Feed him Anti-Depressants (“Here comes the train!!!” You say in a slow, condescending tone of voice. “Yummy!” He looks satiated.)
– Talk it through
– Sing him a song, or have him sing with you (karaoke competition lure/ruse minigame, “Order the 3-cheese crab dip” (9.99))
– Give him his Bible and Rosary (Minigame as Pop-Pop trying to get in the line of the priest to receive communion)
– Use a sword (medieval fantasy boss-fight minigame) (Tristwch, Welsh for sadness)
– The nymph smile is so happy that it looks like a frown.
– I’m 8 years old (flashback or flash forward)
Do they still look at you the same way? Can they?
Can they still look at you like the way they did in pictures? Like the way they look at old pictures now?
Certainly, a lot of time has passed. Did you spend it or waste it?
Wake up first day of January, older. Get out of bed:
– Get out of bed
– Roll over
– Snooze
– Stare at phone
– Listen to the song in your blood
– Non-karaoke path = You can’t quite hear it, but you live at its tempo regardless. You can’t help but sense that its tone is somber.
– Pull out Pokemon Blue
– Use the sword
– Non-medieval path = What sword?
Get out of bed. (Repeating)
-Get out of bed
Is the game worth playing?
– Yes – No
If no, “Sorry.”
If yes, “Play again?”
– Yes – No
If no, “Wait, what? Why not? You just said it was worth playing.. Is it like a time-issue or?”
Evan,
I really really like the concept for your game! It’s interesting, especially this time of year because it is a game centered around the holidays. I also like that you deal with themes from games we’ve looked at in class, like the Grandpa’s depression reminds me of the Binding of Isaac game we played. I also like how you’ve created a website for your game too!! And I really like the music choice you’ve already picked, I can’t wait to see the final “Soundtrack.” However it turns out, I think it’ll be awesome and clever. I can’t wait to play the final game!!
This game sounds excellent. Your voices permeates the writing, and Christmas an appropriate and nostalgic topic for the average gamer. The humor is very dark, but it is still a generally positive story. I’m excited to see where you go with this, and I hope you find a way to host it so we can play it!
Evan,
I went to your site and played the game so far! I chose the 2 stacked presents. I’m excited to see what is going to be under the wrapping paper when I come back to play your game once it’s complete. Your voice when writing the narrative is dark, but still humorous. Your notes you posted were really helpful to read. I like that there are very specific choices the player has to make at times that can take the game in vastly different directions. Your website is pretty sick too and the color scheme goes along well with the mood of the game so far. Can’t wait to see what’s in the stacked presents!
Sincerely,
Emily Castillo
Hey Evan, what up? I played what you have made of your game so far. It is really creative and has a bunch of different combinations for your game players to choose from. I love the endless possibilities. I also really enjoy the humor that you have brought to the game. The only question I have is, What is inside the green present?