The universe is absolutely mesmerizing, really pulling you to other frontiers, borders and dimensions. The only thing I find a bit disappointing is the placeholder name but despite this it's a big large quadratic +1 overall.

Thank you so much ! really appreciate the kind words.

were you referring to the placeholder name for this build, loopGaloop ? or Somewhere itself ?  Give what the game has developed into, you are quiet right, 'Somewhere' is an almost trivial moniker, but we have been associated with the name for so long now, that changing it at this stage might simply prove cumbersome !

Really interesting & arresting style, particularly the use of colour.

Thank you ! gambrinous.
we really went back and forth with the colors. especially for the second environment.














and this is what we now have in the game !

It's been said already, but never hurts to hear it again: Nice style! My first reaction on seeing the initial screenshots was to want to explore the world more, so you've got that going for you. Obviously will need a lot more content to make it more worth exploring aside from the visuals alone, but you're working on that part

Thank you ! I am glad you like the Gameworld so far.

We are working on a robust narrative framework to build the game upon, and given that Somewhere is primarily an experiment in alternate structures of storytelling in videogames, the storytelling within game will be a predominant component.

[# update one and a half]

# update one and a half


the image below links to a video on our tumblr, demonstrating modifications made to the sneak mode.



A bulk of our recent work has centered around the design and implementation of an interface to the sneak mode. An interface that does not detract from the first person experience, while providing the stream of
ancillary data that a stealth game requires.







we did contemplate, not articulating, the awareness state of the character being sneaked upon. or at least
not overtly suggesting the same. But the foggy condition when a player is uncertain about detection,
made sneaking rather imprecise.





This distinction in character states is, at the moment, rather simply crafted. 
The characters go from detecting the player’s presence. to being suspicious ( and therefore more alert )
and finally being unaware of the player’s presence ( when the character commences walking around )

over subsequent builds we will add, greater complexity to the ai, making sneak harder, with variations
in the character’s behavior during each state.

for example, upon becoming suspicious a character’s range of vision will be extended, and the character will become susceptible to the slightest noise. moreover once detected a character will permanently be aware of your presence in that environment, unless some dialogue convinces the character otherwise.

a couple of screens and a link to a video demonstrating revisions made to the sneak mechanic.










take a look at the Devblog for more details.

Really really like the art for your game. which make me rather sorry to see it's development stall. But Otherworld looks incredible as well !  looking forward updates to on either.

bizarre geometry, magically appearing bridges, and portals ! The game updates in complexity at a staggering pace. Brilliant work. this Devblog is an absolute delight to follow.

I think you need to turn up the contrast.

Glad you like it !

tweaking contrast shouldn't be too difficult, you are right we never really hit the black or white extremes. Though for the most part that is a deliberate choice, keeping the world foggy and monotonous.

OH I WANT THIS SO BAAAD
As a man of strange tastes, I really like the dominance of red/slate and I think it makes for a strong art style.

Thank you Chis. strange is a perfect definition for the game !

you should be able to play the game in a few days. we have almost completed the build that we have been working on.

* oh ! and carousel, looks really wonderful, especially the animations ! *

[Wow !]

I know this is reiteration of previous comments but, Wow ! The art and animation on this project is absolutely splendid ! 

i think that's what missing: life. it can still be minimalistic, but people live (or have lived) there. even if it is supposed to be a bit of an gray atmosphere, of an abnormal and abstract place, give it a bit more atmosphere, and in my opinion through the colors.

but that's just my opinion.

wow ! That is great feedback. I completely agree, the world often feels much to static, even alienating, and it's inert quality seems rather obvious when you point it out ! ( the mirror's edge screen articulated the difference splendidly ). I believe we need to strike a balance between the surreal, alienating spaces and having them appear 'lived in'. while I am not entirely sure color is the solution here, you do make a point with the mirrors edge screenshot, and their gradating use of colors.

- - - - -

by the way what's with that?
http://25.media.tumblr.com/4a8d643e2f49ad60aa218c1ede8ed8d2/tumblr_mylaxmcdHs1ri8dvho1_1280.jpg
looks good too!

the screen on tumblr is from a smaller game we Kickstarted last yer. It is a simple strategy game. Glad you like it !

So much to like here. Really intriguing premise and beautiful style.

  Thank you !

[# update one]

# update one




We are close to completing the small build (loopGaloop) that we have been working on,
the images below chronicle some of that process.









loopGaloop (working title !) is narrated across three acts & three characters.
with both the narration and the Gameworld looping upon themselves in the third act or movement.

the script for the build contains numerous allusions to the story, "The Approach to Al-Mu'Tasim" by Luis Borges.
for those interested this story can be found in a collection called  Fictions.
 
The story is a wonderful exercise in nested narration and overlapping characters.
a structure and form of writing decidedly suited to our game.









while not overtly theatrical, the writing for Somewhere is anachronistic for this medium.
the narrative within loopGaloop, is told through a continuous quatrain rhyme, broken into individual dialogue.

"
there are stranger places than this room,
and this room is not a strangers place,
I leave for places stranger still
though strange enough I find this space.  "


excerpt from a dialogue within the game.








.








the Gameworld is crafted in Sketchup (make) and the Game itself built in Unity (indie).

What a cool looking game! 

  Thanks !

[work in progress !]

work in progress ! a quick demonstration video from the build we are working on.

There have been  several changes to the environment since this video was recorded, and the
stealth systems have seen refinement as well, but it is still rather indicative of the game's experience.



the image above links to the video on our Tumblog. Will post an updated video soon.

Thank you ! Zaphos. We do appreciate the interest.

wow ! That looks rather wonderful.

If you can't fill an entire world with the same consistency, then leave out the world...

Thank you !
that surely is pertinent feedback for anybody and especially for a small team on an ambitious project.

We have gone back and forth over the art several times, combining textures with flat color, and a simplicity in texture does hold a form of surreal appeal especially with the low poly terrain. most of the game's art is still a little bit up in the air as we work on these small builds, and try to figure out what form of art serves the narration best.

the four screens at the bottom, are from the build we are working on at at the moment. I will be updating with some screens that show the crafting of the same

this reminds me of some of the short stories of the collection ficiones of  jorge luis borges. good read, by the way.

Wow ! I am glad you picked up on that. Our first build ( the one we are currently working on ) alludes rather directly to one of Borges stories from fictions called, "Approach to Al Mutasim" The writing for the game draws strongly from the works of Italo calvino ,Sukumar Ray, and Luis Borges of course.

also I agree about the minimalism of art style though I am unsure about changing colors ? but most of the screens are iterations and experiments that are not quiet there yet. The last few screens are from the current build, and the ones that come closest to a surreal game space.

Thank you for the wonderful feedback.
We will be releasing a build in a few days, do give it a try !

[Somewhere]

We have just released a new build called Timruk! ( itchio page )
more details in the last post on page 6.





Somewhere is a first person exploration game set in a surreal colonial India.

It is a collection of stories about the search for a city that does not exist.
A mythical city of storytellers, called Kayamgadh.

You navigate these stories by becoming the other people, and as you shift identities you realise
that each person you become is a figment of another character’s imagination and a part of yet another story.

And in this shifting, fragmented construction,
Somewhere is an exploration of how the unchanging truth of Kayamgadh
tears the reality of the people who are searching for it.
It explores the painful process of disillusionment whilst looking through the lens
of it’s most ardent believers.

Kayamgadh does not exist, but there are stories about it.
Kayamgadh cannot be reached but people will chart it’s location on their maps. Kayamgadh offers no answer,
but people will turn to it for salvation.
And nobody can return from Kayamgadh because they were never there.
But people will claim and even believe in it’s indelible existence.
And in doing so they will create a city of their own. 
A city that would truly be a city of storytellers. An untruth, yes. But no less real to the believer,
than the actual city.


The one that does not exist