Cyanologue

Game design, writing, and everything in between.

I am obsessed with dating sim elements in games. I do queer game studies and make queer games. My games address topics such as mental health issues, diverse gender and sexuality, and queer experiences.

Games

Seven Weeks On Earth (small group work, Godot Engine, ongoing)
link to demo: https://pigeon-and-rat-studios.itch.io/swoe

Seven Weeks on Earth is a multi-route queer sci-fi fantasy narrative adventure about queer time, immigration, and interstellar bureaucracy. It is also the core piece of my PhD dissertation in Critical Game Design. Unlike most space fantasies that focus on exploring new planets, our game is set on Earth. It is a story of an outsider: a queer, alien immigrant whose past life is thrown away by an accident, will find out the truth about a planet that seems alien-friendly at first, but has horrible dark mysteries behind.

  • Went through multiple iterations, engines and genres through prototyping
  • Researched into the conflict between player audience and “unpleasant” stories
  • Wrote story branches for a “romancable” character

Searching For (small group work, Unity 3D, 2021)
link to game: https://mayusbasement.itch.io/searchingfor

  • Implemented a CRPG-like point-and-click system using Yarn Spinner
  • Designed and implemented a blended dimensions system, to represent the two in-story worlds
  • Designed the structure of the story, and led a team of writers (including myself) to finish it
  • Sketched the character design according to their backgrounds and personalities, and made the models with Daz3d
  • Kept in close touch with team members and managed cross-timezone remote production during pandemic

Other Games, Prototypes and Systems

small group work, Unity 3D
link to game: https://tobydo.itch.io/nguoi-la

  • Designed and built the scenes (street view, a restaurant, a sports arena) referencing irl Ho Chi Minh City
  • Helped forming the narrative script

solo work, Twine Sugarcube2

  • CRPG-like text based exploration system
  • In-game time system that ticks when the player “acts”
  • Disco Elysium, but only the side bar
  • Portable, both mobile and pc friendly UI design

solo work, Unity 3D
link to game: https://devils-onsen.itch.io/waiting-for-the-6-train

  • Narrative experience about anxiety and other mental health issues
  • Serious games, no-fun games