Realtime Narratives 2024

Firefly

This project explores an alternate reality where human dominance and omnipresence over the natural world have given way to a new balance—a harmonious coexistence between technology and nature. As the player journeys through this mysterious landscape, they absorb the atmosphere and search for answers. Where have the humans gone? Where do all these fireflies come from?  

This journey invites reflection on the increasingly blurred boundary between nature and technology. Does this distinction still make sense in a world where humans have delegated so many of their abilities, tasks, and even dreams to machines? Through the lens of this world, the project questions our tendency to offload responsibilities onto technology—both as a tool for emancipation and as a potential trap leading to our own obsolescence. By portraying a world where humanity seems to have reached the peak of its aspirations for technological delegation, it urges us to consider whether the path we are currently on will lead to our fulfillment or if we are heading toward a reality where our very essence might be called into question.

Par Baptiste Godart

Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir explores the convergence of various elements that collectively shape a legend. Set in a Nordic-inspired environment to evoke an eternal and mysterious atmosphere, the game presents three puzzles, each inspired by traditional video game mechanics, offering a distinct form of reflection. Solving these puzzles sequentially leads the player to create the myth. The first puzzle symbolizes deep contemplation, driven both by clarity of mind and the altered perspectives induced by psychoactive substances, opening the door to radically different thinking. The second puzzle delves into logic and investigation, requiring precise organization of discovered information into the correct locations and sequence. This fosters a more structured and logical thought process. The final puzzle concludes the quest by using the metaphor of the cave, representing the focused trajectory of thought once set in motion. It signifies the completion of the search, where every discovered element is restored to its rightful place, breathing life into the legend.

Par Thomas Gaudin