1000xResist (with sunset visitor's Remy Siu and Pinki Li)
Jan 24, 2025
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Remy Siu, Creative Director of Sunset Visitor known for 1000xResist, and Pinki Li, Narrative Designer with a background in performing arts, dive into their creative journey. They discuss the shift from performance art to game development, highlighting the unique challenges and revitalizing aspects of collaboration. The duo elaborates on themes of generational trauma, the importance of voice acting, and how creative constraints foster innovation. Their insights reveal the nuanced interplay between narrative depth and gameplay mechanics in crafting an engaging experience.
The creators of 1000xResist transitioned from performance arts to game development to explore new mediums and storytelling formats.
The development process highlighted the tension between artistic creativity and the technical constraints of game design, leading to innovative solutions.
The game explores themes of identity and intergenerational trauma, using personal experiences to create a relatable and emotional narrative for players.
Deep dives
The Genesis of A Thousand Times Resist
The journey of creating A Thousand Times Resist began during the pandemic, driven by the founders' backgrounds in performance arts and a desire to explore new mediums. With virtually no experience in game development, the team aimed to combine their artistic sensibilities into a unique storytelling format. They transitioned from the performing arts to indie gaming to seek new ways to express their creativity, realizing the restrictions of traditional theater were constricting. This exploration led to the establishment of their studio and the conception of the game, showcasing the potential for different art forms to intersect and inspire new narratives.
Challenges of Game Development from a Non-Gaming Background
The development team faced numerous obstacles as they adapted to the rigorous and often rigid structure of game design, which contrasted sharply with their backgrounds in the fluid and dynamic performing arts. They experienced significant friction when trying to implement creative ideas, particularly in the early stages of the project, where conceptualizing gameplay within the limits of technology was a daunting task. The creators found themselves learning to balance their artistic instincts with the technical requirements of game development, leading to a unique blend of creativity and practicality. This challenge ultimately forged a distinct approach that emphasized storytelling and emotional engagement over traditional gaming mechanics.
The Emotional Journey Through Narrative and Character
A Thousand Times Resist is anchored in the exploration of complex themes such as identity and intergenerational trauma, drawing inspiration from the founders' personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. The narrative centers on Iris, whose struggles reflect her family's immigrant experiences, making the storyline deeply relatable and resonant for many players. By weaving in themes of envy, belonging, and the often painful process of cultural adaptation, the creators have crafted a narrative that speaks to broader social issues while remaining intimate and personal. The emotional depth achieved in the storytelling allows players to connect with Iris on multiple levels, enhancing their overall gaming experience.
Innovative Use of Voice Acting and Performance
The game’s unique voice acting choices contributed significantly to the character development and overall storytelling, as many actors were drawn from local performing arts scenes. The creators focused on realistic, nuanced performances rather than traditional exaggerated voice acting, aiming for an authentic emotional connection with players. Recording sessions were highly collaborative, allowing actors' insights to influence character arcs and dialogue, creating a feedback loop that enriched the narrative. This approach ensured that the emotional performances of the characters felt more grounded and resonated deeply with players, bridging the gap between performance art and gaming.
Layering Cultural Contexts and Contemporary Issues
The design and themes of A Thousand Times Resist reflect contemporary societal issues, particularly those magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as anti-Asian sentiment and cultural diaspora reactions. The creators integrated these elements into the game’s storyline, using narrative and visual cues to resonate with current events and cultural discussions. The decision to incorporate live-action footage and unique aesthetics also serves to bridge the gap between game design and multimedia storytelling, enriching the player's immersion. By addressing these pressing themes, the game encourages players to reflect on their own relationships with identity and cultural heritage in meaningful ways.
On a special episode of the Crewcast, two of the developers of 1000xResist (Remy Siu, Creative Director and Pinki Li, Narrative Designer) speak to us about their journey from performance art to game development and how they came to create this sci-fi narrative adventure.
Pick up 1000xResist on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1675830/1000xRESIST/
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Chapters:
0:00:00 - Intro 0:03:14 - Thanking our supporters! 0:04:17 - Remy & Pinki's History in Arts & Game Dev 0:08:14 - Working on the Stage vs the Game Engine 0:14:54 - Funding a Project Like 1000xResist 0:22:02 - The Original Direction of 1000xResist 0:36:50 - Building A Narrative That Builds Itself 0:40:20 - !! Spoiler Warning !! 0:41:20 - Generational Trauma as Worldbuilding 0:45:30 - Chapter 7's Hong Kong 0:51:21 - Only-Child Parenthood 0:54:24 - Voice Acting 1:00:11 - The Origins of Hekki Grace 1:03:54 - How the Occupants Speak 1:06:00 - Mirroring the Real World in 1000xResist 1:09:15 - What's Next for Sunset Visitor? 1:18:40 - Sign Off
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