Monday’s class activity was to try writing about the core pillars and game design loops of a game I had played before. The game I chose was ‘Ace Attorney’ by CAPKOM, which I had previously played on the Switch. What attracted me to this game was the reversal process; at the beginning, as the defense attorney for the defendant, we searched for evidence in a situation of absolute disadvantage, interrogated witnesses, and finally overturned the verdict. Also, the character development was excellent; creating a character through dialogue and character illustrations isn’t an easy task.
Thursday’s task was to transform a short horror story into a branching narrative game. We needed to combine story structure, player emotional engagement, and player choices to create interactivity. This would allow us to practice evoking specific emotions through game outline design and storytelling.
Based on these points, when developing my own story, I chose ‘The Object in the Dark,’ a mirror that reflects another ‘me’.
Part A
Late at night, you are home alone. A soft sound comes from the living room.
Discovery: An old, carved mirror sits on the coffee table, its surface exceptionally clean, as if it had just been wiped.
Player options:
· A. Reach out and touch the mirror
· B. Cover the mirror with a cloth
· C. Call a friend
· Choosing A → The ‘you’ in the mirror smiles, but blinks a beat too late.
· Choosing B → That night, the cloth is lifted, and the reflection stands beside your bed.
· Choosing C → Your friend says on the phone, “Wait… who’s behind you?”
Part B
The mirror begins to “respond” to you:
When you move, the reflection doesn’t move.
When you speak, the reflection’s lip movements are out of sync.
When you turn off the lights, but a faint light still shines in the mirror.
Players can choose:
· A. Smash the mirror
· B. Investigate the mirror’s origin (go online/to the library)
· C. Try to communicate with the person in the mirror
Choose A → Each shard reflects a different “you,” surrounding you.
Choose B → Discover that this mirror belongs to a “Mirror Eater,” which replaces people in reality.
Choose C → The person in the mirror begins to imitate your handwriting, writing on the mirror.
Part C This mirror wasn’t “placed,” but “summoned”—it chose you and wants to replace you.
Players can choose:
· A. Accept the replacement and become the person in the mirror
· B. Smear the mirror with blood (an ancient ritual)
· C. Lock yourself in darkness and live with the mirror
Endings:
· Replacement Ending: You become a prisoner of the mirror world, and the “you” in reality begins to smile at others.
· Sealed Ending: The mirror temporarily disappears, but you see its shadow on every reflective surface.
• Symbiotic Ending: You reach an agreement with the entity in the mirror, and you coexist in the real world with dual personalities.