Renowned game designer Eric Chahi joins the podcast to discuss his VR game Paper Beast and the challenges of world-building in virtual reality. They explore the impact of human activities on wildlife, the creative process in game design, the importance of collaboration, and the evolution of technology in game development.
Paper Beast's design draws from nature and sculpture, creating a visually stunning and surreal world.
The game emphasizes indirect player control, fostering collaboration and negotiation within the ecosystem.
Paper Beast limits direct player control, emphasizing harmony with the environment for a unique gameplay experience.
Deep dives
The Unique Nature of Paper Beast's Creation
Paper Beast offers a surreal experience, challenging to describe but profoundly engaging. Eric Chahi, the creator, drew from various influences, including Strand beasts sculptures and natural elements like tree formations, to craft the game's visually stunning world. The game's dreamlike and intricate design process is reflective of Chahi's improvisational approach, collaborating with his team to manifest a world where player agency relies on understanding and harmonizing with the environment.
Player Interaction and Consensus Building
Paper Beast's gameplay emphasizes indirect player control, mirroring real-life collaboration and negotiation. Players must engage with the virtual ecosystem, persuading creatures and manipulating elements to progress. This approach encourages a coalition-building mentality, mirroring the complexities of human interaction and decision-making. The game's focus on consensus and intricate interactions adds depth and realism to the gameplay experience.
Balancing Player Agency and Environmental Influence
The game's design intentionally limits direct player control, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the player and the virtual habitat. Through subtle interactions and observations, players navigate challenges by understanding the environment's nuances and collaborating with its inhabitants. Paper Beast's emphasis on building cohesiveness with the environment provides a unique and captivating gameplay experience, emphasizing harmony and interaction over traditional game mechanics.
Creative Design Elements Influence Gameplay Interaction
The podcast delves into the unique design elements of 'Paper Beast' that enhance player interaction with the game world. By focusing on creating a world that feels indifferent yet immersive, the game imparts a sense of natural discovery. For instance, the use of a sun ball by creatures to demonstrate activities without explicit tutorials showcases how intuitive design can guide players fluidly through interactions.
Tech Evolution in Game Development and Creative Freedom
The discussion touches on the evolution of game development technology and its impact on creative processes. Eric Chahi reflects on his career that began in a period where games were created 'completely from scratch,' highlighting the transition to using off-the-shelf game engines like Unity. While acknowledging the convenience and challenges of such engines like Unity, there is a sentiment of balancing creative aspirations with the technological constraints.
We're joined by renowned designer Eric Chahi (Another World, From Dust) to discuss his singularly surreal VR adventure Paper Beast. We discuss building a living ecosystem born from constraints, how the craft has changed over the decades, and the indecency of technology.
