One unusual game

[dredger]

Hello to all,

I follow the video game industry and one kept my attention : Viewfinder.
It's going to be released soon. While watching the clips, the first idea that came to mind is that this was a little bit 4D STO influenced. It's an unusual game, it could be qualified as a (3D+) visual puzzle. Then i wondered if this would not be a kind of help to get use with what is coming ? I don't know, but this game is out of the ordinary.

Here are the 2 official presentation clips, small ones (1m and 1m20):

This made me thought a little bit further about the good use of video games, and that finally it's similar to what we have in the music industry nowodays (also as depicted and confirmed by the C's), that 95% of the video game contain "corruption" (let's summarized like this), but these "media" can still be used for good/better/normal purposes.

 

[Chu]

Hmm, I'm not into games at all myself, but I fail to see what's so special about this one.

 

[dmnlksm]

I watched the trailer for the game and I think that the unusual physics and the unusual use of directional sense and space transitions are related to 4D, because you can go from a small door to a huge and completely different space, and you can see that areas that are perceived as big are actually not. I think this is also related to the fact that the game is based on the illusions of perception.

I believe this is more or less what dredger wants to talk about.

On the other hand, the game looks cool but I can't say that I was very interested in it.

 

[dredger]

I watched the trailer for the game and I think that the unusual physics and the unusual use of directional sense and space transitions are related to 4D, because you can go from a small door to a huge and completely different space, and you can see that areas that are perceived as big are actually not. I think this is also related to the fact that the game is based on the illusions of perception.

I believe this is more or less what dredger wants to talk about.

Yes it's that, and the fact that a few seconds after i started to watch the trailer i had this "idea" in mind that it was STO oriented, at least to certain extend. A kind of help/preview/training tool for what is coming. Then by analysing further and being used of video games, it is undoubtedly an unusual game that is unique in what we name "the gameplay", then the link with 4D which is variable upon our thoughts (to summarize) is quite ... approached here in this game. That's all, FWIW :)

 

[BHelmet]

Certainly unusual in that it’s not a first person shooter! Reminds me of Myst. Def a hypnotic trance inducing attempted feel good calm coma. As much dreamworld as 4d.

 

[तत्परिवर्तनं भव]

If you like games,You should check "The Talos Principle"

 

[A Jay]

Yes it's that, and the fact that a few seconds after i started to watch the trailer i had this "idea" in mind that it was STO oriented, at least to certain extend. A kind of help/preview/training tool for what is coming. Then by analysing further and being used of video games, it is undoubtedly an unusual game that is unique in what we name "the gameplay", then the link with 4D which is variable upon our thoughts (to summarize) is quite ... approached here in this game. That's all, FWIW :)

It strikes me as a result of post-modern "creative" thinking since post-modernity's sole utility is its ability to play with perception and the gameplay involves seemingly nothing but changing perception and therefor the game's reality. Which, fwiw, calls to mind the reality creators of 3D/4D STS who seek to shape reality solely by changing perception.

At it's core it's just a puzzle and the main allure seems to be the novelty of how one puts the pieces together as well as the trippy-ness of the world one creates as a result. How they managed to make a game out of something so boring and shallow is impressive in a sad and depressive sort of way.

 

[Chu]

It strikes me as a result of post-modern "creative" thinking since post-modernity's sole utility is its ability to play with perception and the gameplay involves seemingly nothing but changing perception and therefor the game's reality. Which, fwiw, calls to mind the reality creators of 3D/4D STS who seek to shape reality solely by changing perception.

At it's core it's just a puzzle and the main allure seems to be the novelty of how one puts the pieces together as well as the trippy-ness of the world one creates as a result. How they managed to make a game out of something so boring and shallow is impressive in a sad and depressive sort of way.

Thanks for explaining it like that.

The game's description:

Challenge perception, redefine reality, and reshape the world around you with an instant camera. Viewfinder is a new single player game offering gamers hours of interesting and fun experiences while uncovering the mysteries left behind.

Viewfinder is a mind-bending first person adventure game in which you can bring pictures to life by placing them into the world.

• Reshape Reality: Beyond photographs, bring paintings, sketches, screenshots and postcards to life while reshaping the world
• Exploration is learning: You will learn the secrets of the world, the reason why it exists, and the freedom to create. Explore multiple hub worlds that are all cohesive and encompass similar, but complex, differences
• Experience as much as you want: Viewfinder’s narrative is player driven and will be an approachable experience to someone who just wants to play and solve puzzles, and a rich well thought off world to a player who wants to learn more
• Find the answer to the impossible, once you step in the world of Viewfinder

So, kind of like "You create your own reality", and in doing so, you learn the secrets of the world? I guess it would depend on how the creators designed those secrets, and if there is any purpose or actual teaching to the game at all. But I wouldn't spend any time on it, personally. Then again, I'm not a gamer. And I was bored after 30 seconds of the trailer.

 

[A Jay]

Thanks for explaining it like that.

The game's description:

You're welcome.

So, kind of like "You create your own reality", and in doing so, you learn the secrets of the world? I guess it would depend on how the creators designed those secrets, and if there is any purpose or actual teaching to the game at all.

Well, you'd only be learning the secrets, if one could call them that, of the game world, so I wouldn't expect there to be anything of real value in them.

But I wouldn't spend any time on it, personally. Then again, I'm not a gamer. And I was bored after 30 seconds of the trailer.

Yeah, once you get the idea of how it works the novelty wears off pretty fast and I was bored after the same amount of time. I'll pass on it as well.

 

[loreta]

Yeah, you create your reality and you are like God, because outside reality is a mess. Instead of fighting for outside, inside of being in the nature, instead of being present, create your reality, and it seems to me, even if the colors are pastel and not aggressive, the ambiance is cold and is there people in this game, other than the cat?

But interesting to see how new games are coming, how things change very fast even in the world of games.

 

[ToxicCoward]

Some time ago I've found different software that tries to show more than 3 dimensions.

This one allows to move in 4th dimension by using mouse wheel.
Yes, it kinda looks like Minecraft, but i believe that this was a good design choice was - "blockness" kinda helps to show how much you shift.

 

[Natus Videre]

There is definitely some interest for "higher dimensions." Mass consciousness signalling to itself?

 

[ToxicCoward]

There is definitely some interest for "higher dimensions." Mass consciousness signalling to itself?

That may be the case, but my best bet is that in last few years computing power reached a point where such designs are viable.

 

[msante]

For me it's just an aesthetically pleasing puzzle game but not much more. Regarding 4D STO influence, I don't see it anywhere.
Personally I think there is a lot of pressure in the gaming industry to release new and innovative products, so IMO this is one of many products that are looking to make an difference on the industry. Regarding what the description of the game says, it's the usual marketing. The intention is to convey the idea that playing it will be a unique experience. Most games are promoted in the same way.

As for unusual physics, there have already been other attempts to create environments that surpass our 3D physics. "Miegakure" for example is a game where the protagonist moves through 4D space.

I think that, just as in literature there is inspiration from higher sources, there can also be in the world of video games. If I had to think of a game with some kind of positive inspiration, the first thing that comes to my mind right now is "Outer Wild". In this game the protagonist appears on a planet next to a campfire and has 22 minutes to figure out what he is doing there and how he got there. At the end of the 22 minutes the sun transforms into a supernova and the world ends. At that point the progonist starts again next to the campfire and has 22 minutes again to explore and understand what happened and how he ended up there, only this time he has the knowledge gathered in the previous cycle. The game is played in 22-minute cycles where in each cycle the protagonist discovers new things and unravels more parts of the mystery. The story is well put together and the atmosphere is pleasant, although there is a certain air of tragedy in the background.

Just my two cents.

NOTE: I don't play videogames (I don't usually have much time to do it ), but I like video games and have a son who does play and I share with him a lot of things about this "little world".

EDIT: syntax