VIDEOVERSE
A thoroughly nerdy love-letter to gamer social media
An often overlooked aspect of video games is the connections players make outside of the game worlds themselves. Since their inception, the very nature of the medium has inspired players to exchange tips and tricks, proudly share their achievements, and simply gush over games they love. VIDEOVERSE beautifully explores this world of gamer connections through a fictional social networking platform that’s chock-full of very real-feeling human connections.
The player takes control of Emmet (known as “eMMe-T_T” on the VIDEOVERSE platform), a gamer who is an avid fan of 2003’s biggest RPG hit: Feudal Fantasy. The game takes place at his desk as he interacts with his favorite console, the “Kinmoku Shark”. As Emmet, you are able to check out recent forum posts, chat with your friends, watch cutscenes from Feudal Fantasy, and more. Players can plug in their Shark Cam to even video chat with Emmet’s friends, adding an extra layer of depth and interaction to the experience.
“Initially, I was inspired by Miiverse, MSN Messenger and online message boards, and wanted to make an old school internet simulator, but the style and content of VIDEOVERSE was very much inspired by the codec conversations in Metal Gear Solid and the visual novel segments in Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes,” said Lucy Blundell, the creator of VIDEOVERSE. “Something about two portraits facing forward either side of the screen looked really striking to me, and also within the budget of a solo game developer.
These inspirations are clear when one explores the forums of VIDEOVERSE. While scrolling through different communities the posts feel truly human, with mii-verse-esque doodles being common. In the game, VIDEOVERSE and the Kinmoku Shark system are considered to be aging, and as a result there are less moderators. Trolls run amok, and the way you interact with them and others via reporting, liking, and commenting on different posts affects the gameplay down the line.
Interacting with different communities can unlock new avatars and themes, further personalizing the player experience. Messages appear in your inbox dynamically as you explore forums and profiles, a clever design choice that makes it feel as if the world is alive despite its nostalgic, retro aesthetic.
“It needed to feel real and populated in order to tell the story effectively, but this came with its challenges: Messages and responses arrive at different times, characters type at different speeds, plus the player needs to stay engaged and know what to do next,” said Blundell. “After a lot of testing, we found the correct balance and managed to clearly tell VIDEOVERSE's story.”
The game is supported by a relaxing soundtrack composed by Clark Aboud, who had previously worked on Slay the Spire. All of these audio and visual elements combine to create a truly immersive narrative that makes you feel as if you’re transported back in time to a fictional platform that you wish was real.
“When players finish VIDEOVERSE, I hope they can see the power of their words, particularly online. I think we’ve all grown somewhat pessimistic towards the internet—that everyone is nasty or out for personal gain—when, really, we can still connect and help others in need. I want players to know that little acts of kindness towards strangers are still possible and can result in making a new friend, finding love, or even changing your life forever,” said Blundell. “There is, however, a cynical undertone to VIDEOVERSE about how the internet is being used to drive capitalism, so I also hope players feel empowered about what they can about this. Even small things, like not engaging negatively, not paying for things they dislike, keeping their friends close etc, all help.”
When it comes to advice for those who are starting out in the world of game design and development, Lucy encourages people to seek support from the gaming community.
“I always say “Keep it small!” but I personally find this very hard to do! Still, I think it’s the best advice for beginners,” said Blundell. “Also, don’t be too afraid to try things out, whether it’s different art styles or game engines, just try to finish something. Game Jams can help here for some people and, if you don’t have a team, you can still do something on your own. The internet is full of support, after all!”