Gorogoa: The Design of a Cosmic Acrostic
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2018
- In this 2018 GDC session, Buried Signal's Jason Roberts presents a broad tour of the complex design process that led to 'Gorogoa', and the potential of the mini-genre to which it belongs. What is the fantasy at the heart of the game's story and gameplay, and how is it rooted in real world emotional and spiritual drives? How does that core fantasy relate to the genres that contributed to the design DNA of 'Gorogoa', including point-and-click adventure games and multi-panel comics? How did the storytelling and puzzle design survive the dense labyrinth of interlocking visual, narrative, and gameplay constraints? This talk answers these questions through a high-level look at the meaning and formal properties of the game's mechanics, as well as detailed accounts of how individual puzzles and scenes were constructed.
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One of the most fascinating and intelligent GDC talks I've seen. A big thanks to Jason Roberts!
I have never experienced such a well crafted piece of media using every aspect of the media in order to become whole. The goosebumbs I get when I think about the end of the game is unmatched 😄
At 36 minutes I just had an epiphany. What is this disembodied player? A bodhisattva. A being that has been liberated from the phenomenal world (samsara) but remains out of compassion in order to help other beings still trapped in the cycle to attain enlightenment. Which is what you're doing with the boy in the game. You are literally outside the 'frame' of the game, helping the boy still trapped inside the game to find release.
I mean, its obvious he took more inspiration from Freudian psychoanalysis than Buddhist or Hindu thought, but of course it makes sense that when applied to a more mystical, Indic context it feels authentic considering both practices come from related traditions that are both concerned with the same things. Although the Yogis make a distinction between the "Aham" and the "Atman", Freud, using the same word (literally "ego" is the Latin version of "aham", they're cognates) creates distinction between "conscious" and "unconscious" thought. The predisposition with interpretations of reality through symbolic relations and the very structures of logic used to describe them (i.e. grammar) has a long and vast history in all strains of indo-european thought, wherever you go looking for it.
very inspiring talk about an outstanding game. i just wanna say: jason roberts, if you read this, i'm seriously looking forward to your next game - maybe it will only take 4 years this time? ;-) but no hurry - i find the mysterious narrative a motivation to play through it multiple times. also: it's a great gate-way drug for people who otherwise don't play videogames (which is not me - but there's a lot of them around me...)
I was surprised to find this was his first real game. I thought the game was fantastic and not surprised to hear it had a bit of Myst inspiration. Really interesting to see his thought process in designing the game.
Absolute masterpiece.
Damn this is so philosophical.
Well, presentation aspect certainly have its problems, but, as expected of creator of the game, his ideas and point of view are very interesting. I found beginning most interesting, too much concentrated on particularities of his game in second half, I think.
hahahaha
Gorogoa is basically a 2D myst puzzle. Extremely short if one is any good at puzzles and it has no replay value so you'll never ever play it again but it's very pretty and abstract.
15 dollars is a ludicrous price for something like this. Value is abstract But I didn't enjoy this game more than others of the same price range or the same genre so this is a permanent 90% Steam summer sale pick.
I disagree, I think $15 is just right.
15 dollars is nothing for a spiritual experience like this
Gorogoa is probably one of the best "games" I've ever played, and it achieves its artistry without ever feeling gamey or repetitive. The reason its so short is because it doesn't use cheap mechanics to stretch out its assets, its a real work of art. Nothing feels excessive, every piece is a part of the whole.
Maybe you were not capable of witnessing and therefore appreciating all the details and compromized brilliance in terms of design and meaning ;) Otherwise, I think, you would find many many reasons to revisit the game