Summary
- Journey of the Broken Circle The author and game director Andrea Brasch talks about the merging of game history and game mechanics.
- The main character’s journey and relationships create themes and emotions that we can all relate to.
- Journey of the Broken Circle is now available for pre-order at a 15% discount in the Xbox Store.
Journey of the Broken Circle is a story-driven platform game about an imperfect circle that wants to be complete.
Storytelling and gameplay literally go hand in hand in this game. They are completely intertwined and, as in any relationship, they limit and improve one another. The Ludo story (convincing story in perfect synchronicity with the gameplay) was rewarded with “Best Narrative Game” at IndieCade 2020.
Let me walk you through parts of the brainstorming process:
[Story] A story about longing …
Journey of the Broken Circle is a game that has come a long way and somehow both Patrick Jarnfelt and I grew up with the game. We both started out as single and by the end of the production we’re both in solid relationships. So it’s been a journey for the game and certainly for us on a personal level too. The game relies heavily on lived experiences from my personal life, so yes, it’s a very personal game!
I wanted to address how people often long for something different: a better job, a nice place to live, an ideal relationship. Of course, love and romantic relationships are a big part of it, but the missing thing
[Gameplay] An incomplete one circle as the main character …
What is the most basic and metaphorical way of representing something that is not complete? With an incomplete circle, of course! And since it’s almost round, but it rolls with a hump, so we’re constantly reminded that it’s not whole … This opens up all sorts of cool platformer ideas!
[Story] A journey of search and discovery …
Obviously, Circle is rolling in search of a complementary piece … and it’s meeting new characters! They chat, get to know each other better, share their views and feelings, and react differently to the places and events surrounding their adventure.
[Gameplay] Two merged into one = new skills!
Circle can conveniently pick up new characters that fit in its mouth. Fused in this way, they roll as a unit and can use each other’s abilities. This is how new game mechanics and platform environments are explored!
[Story + Gameplay] Representation of realistic personality traits.
Let’s dive into the process of making the character Sticky and see how the story and design choices become a final protagonist:
We all know someone who loves their routine and is afraid of change. What action can this represent? Glue! What has a shape that fits into Circle and can adhere to things? A pine cone! And together they can climb easily, especially on snow and ice!
We have a new character that Circle can have conversations (and arguments!) With about moving forward and discovering new things instead of settling down! And we have the flat surroundings: a lot of climbing in mountains and caves!
Now let’s take a quick look at a few other characters. All of them are inspired by people we know, our friends and family (but without revealing which ones):
- Mrs. Moss: The caring grandmother figure. Soft as moss and a hugging circle so it can roll safely without bumping or falling.
- balloon: Someone who changes his mind all the time. Balloon is volatile and goes where the wind blows. It does Let Circle fly, but it’s very fragile and demanding.
- Perfect: A very fun character who looks like the perfect alter ego and fits in perfectly with the circle. They roll up quickly and smoothly. However, it can get completely out of control and terribly difficult to maintain.
At first I thought I’d write the story and then implement the game mechanics accordingly until we realized they had to be done together. During the creation process, one narrative decision led to a design decision that led to another narrative decision, and so on. The characters are speaking objects, gender neutral and minimalist. The aim is to be universal and comprehensible. Everyone will experience the game differently based on their own life, experiences and memories.
These “love stories” that Circle rolls through are a framework in which many things other than love are talked about. Broken circle journeye is a story about self-discovery and existentialism. Perhaps we often feel that a part is missing because our life is an ever-increasing mystery. That doesn’t mean we’re broken, just that we’re on a journey …
Journey of the Broken Circle starts on March 12th and can now be pre-ordered in the Xbox Store with a discount of 15%. If you’d like to chat with me and other players about it, please join Discord server of our publishing house Nakana.io.
Journey of the Broken Circle
Nakana.io
$ 7.99
$ 6.79
Meet fascinating characters on your quest to close the imperfect circle. New partners bring unique skills and also their own personality. In this 3-5 hour adventure, full of ups and downs, but always playful and rewarding, the circle learns something about you and yourself. DEVELOPED BY Lovable Hat Cult “It’s a game about that little something that always seems to be missing … a better job, a nice place to live, an ideal relationship … We wanted to tell a story of self-discovery in a fun, universal and universal story assignable path. We probably wanted to answer our own questions as well: Would the circle find what it was looking for? Or how would it all end? “- Andrea & Patrick of the Copenhagen studio. PUBLISHED BY Nakana.io” We collect games that share a powerful experience to remember. We hope you will enjoy the sweet and flavourful food for thought from Journey of the Broken Circle! “- Mikaël Bourget, founder of the publishing label.
