This has been a tough week for all of us. In setting up for Ludum Dare, I decided I wanted to make a game that instilled a sense of calm and thoughtfulness, rather than one of manic action.
For this reason, I took inspiration from the Mathematician John Conway, who passed away earlier this week.
Conway is best known for his ‘Game of Life’ - ‘a never ending simulation of cell duplication. He was an influence for me, as well as many others in Music ,Art and Games. In the game, cells can only survive if they can join together. If they do they can create things of wonderful complexity.
While John’s cells joined together for survival, we have been forced to distance ourselves. I found this both ironic and tragic. At this time, the hardest thing to keep alive is our sense of self.
This game is not intended to be played for long. Perhaps it isn’t a game at all. It is a space for your thoughts and reflections. You can use it how you like. I hope you have a great Game Jam.
Beautiful game there. I really liked that you decided to add a voice-over to add to the experience. Just like Conway's game of life little clusters of cells do the best. I still liked making as many as I could in close confines for the nice particle effects.
This was really relaxing and very visually pleasing. However I would agree with your final statement, perhaps this isn't quite a game. Its something different, but just as good as one.
Love the idea! Beautiful. Of course you should create a game of life with the "keep it alive" theme, I didn't come to think of it though. Again, I love the idea!
You have such a fantastic narration voice! I found the experience to be quite moving. I've found Conway's game of life fascinating since I was little, and with the events of the past few weeks, your submission creates a wonderful homage to a great mathematician and offers some very peaceful respite during these times.
Relaxing. I wish I could do more with the cells. I kind of wanted to use them as brush strokes. At the end of the day, I wasn't able to create much with it. But your voice is amazing. Thank you.
Excellent audio work! Design is interesting and minimalistic yet complex. Your right, you don't play this game for long but it's an experience. Good work!
Very interesting game, I love the atmosphere and the vibe you get. You have a beautiful voice, perfect for narration. In the game of life you have a very clear understanding of the rules and by following those very simple rules you get a complex result. In your game I wans't sure what the rules was so I didn't ended up getting engaged. That said it is a beautiful game in its simplicity and a very polished one for such a short time frame.
Ridiculously peaceful. I appreciate this for what it is. I don't know that I would call it a real game but I do think I would call it a bit of an art piece.
Also your narration reminds me of Bennett Foddy's quotes when you fall down in Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy which is oddly juxtaposed with the relaxing nature of your game.
That was a beautiful experience. The sounds and music are amazing and you have a very calming voice. Definitely going to be sharing this one around with friends after the jam.
I think games are also a very powerful art carrier, like movie books, but they are more expressive than them. You do a great job. Games not only bring fun to people, but also allow people to have other feelings and gains. this is necessary
This was a really nice change of pace. I liked the idea of the circles adding up to something more beautiful when they were closer to each other. Nice work.
I also made a game inspired by John Conway. Check it out if you want!
Wow! This game seriously gave me shivers (in a good way). Great music and athmosphere!
I made another game with the rules of Game of Life, but couldn't quite figure out how to make complex patterns in this one. Unlike my game, this one wasn't meant for optimizing your cellular automata, but as a relaxing experience, and I think it succeeded excellently in that.
Makes me really happy to see entries like this that stretch the definition of game, and from looking above it looks like I'm not the only one! Love the Eno-y Reich-y music, and those are some gorgeous particle effects.
Where is the Poetic Rating !! Love the art, was trying to figure out the game of life aspect of the the circles when your voice came up. It startled me in a good way. I enjoyed the mood, and the sound track. thank you for this refreshing moment
It's beautiful. I really love the music and the graphics is great. Voicing is awesome, reminded me the voice acting from "Getting over it". Very good to go into one's thoughts. I did miss a game element though.
Small note, when playing the web version, the resolution seems too big for my monitor, so I have to use scroll bars to get to the game screen edges. Because of that also the full screen button can't be reached. It might be just me, but I had the same problem with my game and I fixed it by reducing resolution in itch.io to 1280 x 720.
Other than that, great job and a piece of great art. Thank you for creating it!
Beautiful non-game, and pseudo-tribute to Conway! It definitely has a very peaceful and relaxing vibe to it, and while yes it's very simple, it's still fun in a way.
the most special and best game i have ever played in LD46. You really make the theme impressive, really fantastic job! especially like your music track and voiceback --- makes me calm and relax but somehow want to cry. Keep it alive, dude
This was really interesting and atmospheric. I agree, I wouldn't call it a game but was a calming amidst all the games I've been playing and could make a really great meditation tool!
Like you said, not much of a game, but I like the idea, and it comes with a very chill mood which clearly a lot of people appreciate - mission accomplished there. Music and particle effects are satisfying. My primary criticism is that the breath sound effect definitely needs to have more variation and perhaps be a little softer.
Wow, I was about to close the game when I heard the voice. Veeery nice.
Although I promised myself to not rate any games related to the covid, I decided to make an exemption for yours. You have addressed the situation in a meaningful way, and I really appreciate that.
I can't say I understand the exact mechanics between the cells in this game, but I like it very much. Doesn't feel like a game though, but it is strangely satisfying.
Comments72
Very inspiring, well done !
The sentiment that the game shares is something I mesh with a lot and has influenced my decisions during this jam.
I am glad you made this.
Thank you & stay safe
:relieved:
Also your narration reminds me of Bennett Foddy's quotes when you fall down in Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy which is oddly juxtaposed with the relaxing nature of your game.
I also made a game inspired by John Conway. Check it out if you want!
I made another game with the rules of Game of Life, but couldn't quite figure out how to make complex patterns in this one. Unlike my game, this one wasn't meant for optimizing your cellular automata, but as a relaxing experience, and I think it succeeded excellently in that.
Love the art, was trying to figure out the game of life aspect of the the circles when your voice came up. It startled me in a good way.
I enjoyed the mood, and the sound track.
thank you for this refreshing moment
Small note, when playing the web version, the resolution seems too big for my monitor, so I have to use scroll bars to get to the game screen edges. Because of that also the full screen button can't be reached. It might be just me, but I had the same problem with my game and I fixed it by reducing resolution in itch.io to 1280 x 720.
Other than that, great job and a piece of great art. Thank you for creating it!
Veeery nice.
Although I promised myself to not rate any games related to the covid, I decided to make an exemption for yours. You have addressed the situation in a meaningful way, and I really appreciate that.
I can't say I understand the exact mechanics between the cells in this game, but I like it very much. Doesn't feel like a game though, but it is strangely satisfying.
Keep up the good work.