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Self Organizing Self
🕑 Added 2020-03-19 00:46:44 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
One of those things I always end up pondering when I'm in "altered states" is the fractal organization of the universe. The idea that patterns of organization (shapes, ratios, distances) repeat on scales that range from galactic to microscopic. And that it stands to reason that we, as an expression of the universal pattern, might find reflections of the idea in unexpected places - say in our moods, emotional responses, interpersonal relationships, physical health, and life events.
Do we honestly expect all these universal mechanisms to suddenly STOP at the door of our conscious experience? And if these mechanisms do continue then what might that mean for the explorers of the mental landscape? Perhaps there's a larger map of meaning to be found in the expressions and experiences mankind repeatedly expresses across generations of fables and religions.
Dark Crystals
Joey recently sent along a bit of inspiration - not really linked to any particular location or narrative element in our narrative (yet). But it provides an interesting point of reference to the notion I described above. Namely...
Crystals represent order. A crystal lattice is the essence of order. Could be that Hatter asks Alice to trace the source of the material (crystal) that the globe is made from. These shapes are also fractal... they contain repeating patterns that are observable from the macro to the micro. The picture Joey’s drawn is a good example... are those giant crystals or is Alice small and they are tiny ones? This is a topic I’d like to explore in the narrative and design – scale, perspective, and the fractal nature of information and reality.
Nature is a fantastic place to explore these notions since nature is an explosive expression of fractal self-organizing patterns. We've already touched on aspects of nature=psychology=nature in our use of Alchemy throughout the Alice games. That's why it's there - because it makes physical the elements and processes of transformation. And, as we all know, transformation is life.
One of my favorite things about telling stories in Wonderland is that everything exists in a dreamlike state. Alice's surreal reality becomes a metaphor for everything she's ever known or experienced. An interface for the direct examination and manipulation of her definition of self.
Like a naturalist-chemist, she can collect, study, and ultimately understand the very nature of her self.
Elements of Discovery
Of course, this is a GAME and we need to dress up all these concepts in fun and engaging art and mechanics. Here's some art...
As for mechanics...
Crowd Design Time! Share your ideas. How might you construct a system to game-ify the collection, combination, and use of these elements? How might that fit into an overarching goal representing Alice's journey to understand herself?
Lots of great art from Joey here. Let her know in the comments below your thoughts and feedback!
From Self Isolation in Shanghai,
-American
Comments
I love it all! Hey
truth_decay
Is there a live stream on the horizon?
All the yes!
maybe quartz and other crystals could be used as currency for special upgrades? things even the teeth can't buy?
Sarah McKeegan
Love the idea of collecting the materials and roses! The crystals are awesome! They could mean so many things and be for so many reasons. Which is what makes them fun! But I do like the idea of using them for alchemy. And I like the idea of the pastries for health and the vials for stamina. Or something along those lines.
I love crystals! I like the idea of more collectibles in game! Maybe if it were almost Dark Souls-like in which you can collect certain things for certain builds, and further on that concept, if there could possibly be a multiplayer server choice in which other players could invade your area to add to all the insanity (Alice fighting herself) possibly more as a hard mode difficulty option than anything else. Also being able to restart the game and replay with your previous level with the difficulty automatically raised may be really cool. Maybe even if this doesn’t fit in the Alice: Asylum dynamic I already think having a multiplayer aspect in this world would be awesome. Just a thought😅 love everything you’re doing so far! I would love that Alice with the Crystal Cluster image as a print!
Definitely not Adam Driver
Ooh I like the idea of the collectible roses and gems!
Lucas Severin
I don't know what it is but i gold rose looks more like an Iron rose to me
So we collect chaos coins for collectibles sake or used as currency to buy upgrades? The gems could be used for the alchemy purpose as previously mentioned. I think the pastries could be for health and perfumes could be for something related to magic use or stamina? I'm used to my games having two gauges for some reason and having separate items to replenish. Rose's could be a power up to her manic state or leveling in general. Those are just some thoughts. I hope it helps.
So beautiful, love rose themed things and roses colored and made of random materials. The artworks are so visually pleasing as always.
The Crystal's that are the walls of Alice's snowglobe could be the way we create different power ups! As well as dress and weapon upgrades! Maybe certain combinations warant different effects? Maybe we can have a whole menu called "Crystal Alchemy" where Alice can learn to concoct potions and serums for weapons and dresses and various other bits. Then Alice eventually learns that the Crystal's come from the sky and walls of her tiny universe and that crystals are not only her protection but also her prison. So many things we can do with this. I love the idea of using the nature of wonderland to play with these concepts of transformation!
Wendy Jaa
Let's not forget that we'll also be collecting chaos coins.
Sarah Heist
I would be SO jazzed to be able to collect actual crystals and have their properties be something she attributes to herself temporarily.
I love the roses and the vials
Denise Sury
Do we care that the Galaxy Rose is an actual thing they sell on the inter webs?
