Shawn and I co-founded an experimental theatre company in Austin, TX in 2012. Our third production was "Great Gold Bird, Great Dark Yawn." We wanted to create an immersive experience that took people on a mysterious journey all over Austin. We asked ourselves, "What if we created something that felt like a live-action adventure game?" So we rented out an airstream trailer and made it the home of one of our character's -- filling the closet with the clothes he would wear, the books he would read. Individually, people would make an appointment to go inside the trailer when no one else was there (including actors). They were free to open drawers, read personal letters, watch the character's home movies, play his voicemail, read his diary, etc. There was a phone number they could call to learn how to lucid dream and what to do next, and a twine game within the game. Participants received clues that eventually led them to a real-life abandoned zoo(!!) in the woods. The experience was magical and fun and weird, and we were so in love with the characters and world we created we thought, why not make this an actual adventure game? Neither of us have ever made a video game, but maybe we can break rules we don't even know we're breaking in interesting ways. So here we are. So much has changed from the live experience, but the characters and ideas are the same. We're excited to share this long-time labor of love with you! Your support means so much.
We hit 5,000 followers today! Thank you so much for all the love. It's really encouraging and motivates us to keep going. Here's how this game got started, and also a picture of Shawn and I dressed as Ellie and Joel from The Last of Us for Halloween.
Next up
Is that a pirate radio station hosted by a multidimensional spectral DJ?? Who can say! Courtesy of Derek Van Gieson. <3
GAMEPLAY?
Sorry we've been a little radio silent, recently! We've stepped up our production pace, and are heavy in the fog of tweaking final writing/voiceovers/sound design/music! But, we did find this washed out polaroid just laying around...
Mystery train... with a few more characters. You'll see their faces soooon!
Oh you know, just some last minute game additions from our Derek Van Gieson... wonder what he's cooking up with these sketches? We are SO CLOSE you guys!
Sorry for the radio silence. We've experienced some personal and professional setbacks that are not worth getting into, but we're back on track and looking for a publisher to help us complete the game! Thanks for your support. It keeps us going. More soon
Well friends, it might not look like much from this pic... but we did it! It's officially a wrap! What you see here are the final docs we hand to our beloved programmer to sort out! Looks like we'll be bringing Great Gold Bird to you guys Spring 2020!!
What's the most vivid memory of your childhood home?
The attic door was connected to my bedroom, and I never once went up there. I was terrified of it. Maybe because my dad told me they chained my twin sister up there, and fed her fish heads. Who knows?
From the outtakes pile: "ghost animals staging a backyard rendition of the Cherry Orchard." haha But seriously, sorry for the long radio silence you guys, but we are now officially in CRUNCH TIME!! Final turn in of all our assets is just a month away!!
Holllly smokes, you guys! We broke 10,000 followers over the weekend- and we could hardly even believe it! Thanks so much to Gamejolt for all the support, and to all of you for the love! We’re cutting a gameplay trailer now and should have it very soon!
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