Echoes of Tomorrow

Artist Statement

In creating "Echoes of Tomorrow," I delved into what storytelling means to me. It’s a profound journey through a landscape of choices and consequences, where each decision unfolds new chapters of an ever-evolving narrative. This game is my canvas, where scripted fate and player agency come to life, reflecting the intricate bond between humans and AI.

The crafting of this game was significantly influenced by James P. Carse’s “Finite and Infinite Games”  as it challenged my understanding of narratives as having finite boundaries. In the game,  this concept manifests in the game's open-ended structure. For instance, the decision to align with AI or humans doesn't just lead to a singular outcome; it opens a spectrum of possibilities, akin to Carse's infinite game. This approach shaped how players engage with the narrative, ensuring their journey doesn't end with mere win or loss but continues as a series of unfolding experiences.

A second (big) inspiration for this game came from playing Microscope with my classmates. We built a world where AI evolved alongside humanity, and this became the cornerstone of "Echoes of Tomorrow." I specifically drew inspiration from a scenario we crafted, where humans used dance as a form of resistance against AI. This moment, both light-hearted and profound, influenced a key narrative branch in the game, where players can choose to resolve conflicts through unconventional, creative means, highlighting the unpredictability and creativity inherent in human-AI interactions.

Moreover, the ‘cozy game’ principles in Wanderhome, where the focus is on narrative depth and character development, significantly influenced the tone and pace of this game. I try to incorporate this by ensuring the game’s narrative centers around character growth and exploration over winning or losing.

In "Echoes of Tomorrow," I aim to connect the complexities of coexistence with AI, the unpredictability of choices, and the profound impact those choices have on shaping our realities. This narrative is a reflection of my belief that stories are living entities, shaped and reshaped by our interactions with them.

Interactivity in this game is not just a mechanism; it’s the soul of the narrative. It’s where players leave their imprint, where the story bends and morphs in response to their decisions. I hope that players see this game not just as a journey through a fictional world, but as a mirror reflecting their own choices and challenges, both in the game and in life.