Darkest Abyss
Genre: Supernatural / Visual Novel
Team Size: 1 member
Development Time: 6 Months
Tools: Twine - Content implementation
Google Docs - Story Management
Responsibilities
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Write the story with choices for branching paths multiple endings
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Transfer story to Twine and implement character customization
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Bug test and polish dialogue based on feedback
Game Download:
Document To Engine
Initial Problem
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As I was writing the story, i wanted to explore scenarios and multiple timelines, but doing so in game format was excessive for bigger engines like Unity or Unreal Engine
Solution
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I used Twine to bring my vision to life. Going back and forth between the engine and my story file allowed me to fully realize the story's potential and push boundaries with subject matter and impact
Story Writing
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This was a very dark story as I used events from own life and those around me to shape the events of the narrative. I drafted story acts, created character personas, and wrote all the dialogue along with details describing the events vividly
Proofreading
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I reached out to several anonymous people to proofread my story without bias. The story has gone through at least 4 iterations before finalization. This helped me fix plot holes, correct grammar and reshape entire acts for better structure and narrative intrigue.
Document to Engine
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I took sections of the story from the story document and pasted them in passages in the engine. I had to carefully plan how much information I wanted to share at a time before allowing the player to digest what they read and continue
Connecting Passages
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Every few passages I would go back and connect them with hyperlinks between passages. Since this is a game, I had to consider where and when the player can travel and act
Programming Logic
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I used Twine's interface to program extra components to the game including adding pictures, menus, a save system, and several name components to change for all passages as I was having last minute writer's block and doubts.
Customizing the Experience
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To polish everything, I added customizable features to tailor to each reader's personality including name, identity, values and choice specific pronouns for all genders. I felt many different people could connect to this story, so I opted to consider different audiences that would play this game
Writing in Twine
Linking Passages
Customizing Player Profiles
Twine Engine Screenshots
