海 – Friend from the past

Year: 2023
Role: Game Developer / Narrative Designer
Made with Bitsy
itch.io:
https://yaoyaoyt.itch.io/friendfromthepast (Chinese)
https://yaoyaoyt.itch.io/friend-from-the-past (English)

Me and another narrative designer made this game during Veritas China 2023.

The theme for this game was Friendship. So we decided to tell a story showing that the beginning of a friendship will eventually have its ending. But we twisted this idea to a more environmentalist narrative: How will the friendship between the seas and humans be like in the face of pollution?

As a lightweight web-based game engine, Bitsy could only provide limited features (2 frame animations/8-bit sound effects). However, we still implemented new narrative approaches, such as environment animation and changes in the player character.

Working with a teammate from the fine arts field is subtle. They are talented in producing and communicating ideas in a way that I would not think of ever. But at the same time, I have to nail down their big pictures into functional game mechanics.

I sent this to some of my friends, and one cried after playing. They said this reminded them of the vulnerability in their life and were touched by this story. This is the most meaningful game I’ve ever made.