Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n For me, Journey is not a ‘narrative game’, The game demonstrates how emotion can emerge through movement, scale, and atmosphere rather than dialogue or explicit narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am particularly struck by how it uses the rhythm of the environment and the repetition of walking to gradually draw players into a state of introspection. This confirmed my conviction: In my games, this approach manifests as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sky: Children of the Light<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Sky’s greatest inspiration for me lies in its sound design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Sky, sound does not command the player \u2014 it responds to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve observed that Sky’s sound design maintains a consistent restraint: This aligns profoundly with the experience I aspire to create. Sky also made me realise In my project, this directly influenced: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Short Hike<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A Short Hike has made me reconsider the value of ‘ordinary’ within games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The game finds meaning in small moments, casual exploration, and unremarkable interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t rush players towards an endpoint, My project similarly strives to create a space The difference lies in my choice This approach manifests in: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Through researching these games, I clarified that my project is not about challenge, mastery, or progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is more akin to a gentle, companionable journey, These references helped me confirm: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The aim of this research phase was not to find a \u2018replicable gameplay template\u2019 for urban-based games.The goal is not to discover the experience I wished to create. During my investigations, I found myself constantly drawn towards three games.Journey, Sky, and A Short Hike.These games seem to escape challenge and to play down success or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":340,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335\/revisions\/340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2026\/01\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u56fe\u7247_20260110141253_415_168-609x1024.jpg\")
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but rather an emotional journey realized through space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Players are not told “who you are” or “what you must do”, yet meaning naturally unfolds through the act of continuous progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My projects likewise require neither explicit objectives nor linear narratives,
but instead seek to foster players’ gradual connection with the world through the act of exploration itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 A paramount emphasis on spatial rhythm
\u2022 Emotion prioritised over system feedback
\u2022 Walking and pausing becoming integral components of the experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2026\/01\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u56fe\u7247_20260110141256_417_168-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Music seldom “drives” the player forward, instead functioning as a companion, gently awakening only when the player moves, approaches, or pauses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wish for sound in my games to offer companionship and affirmation, rather than prompts or direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2026\/01\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u56fe\u7247_20260110141254_416_168-1024x540.jpg\")
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that sound can function as a systemic language, directly tied to world rules rather than merely atmospheric decoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Differences in sound density between night and day
\u2022 The binding of sound to the player’s presence
\u2022 Prioritising sound effects over music in the design sequence<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/jy3c23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2026\/01\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u56fe\u7247_20260110142131_423_168-929x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
instead allowing them to get lost, pause, or take detours.
This ‘inefficiency-free’ approach to exploration feels profoundly important to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
where players can simply exist, without needing to complete tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
of a more dreamlike, nocturnal atmosphere,
toning down humour while amplifying introspection and stillness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 A non-linear exploration structure
\u2022 Minimalist interaction design
\u2022 Prioritising emotional resonance over gameplay complexity<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
enabling players to reconnect with their relationship to the world through walking, pausing, and listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
quietness is not emptiness, nor is a slow pace a lack of substance.<\/strong>
Provided the design is sufficiently clear, even the smallest experiences can carry emotion and meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n