Digital Storytelling and the Visual Novel

👋 Hi there! Welcome to the latest edition of SUPERJUMP Weekly. This week, we're celebrating visual novels in all their diverse forms. In this issue, we also showcase the works of Abhishek Iyer and feature Hollowbody in our latest On the Radar update.

IN THIS ISSUE

✍️ Story Showcase: Visual Novels
⭐ Author Showcase: Abhishek Iyer
📡 On the Radar: Hollowbody
📅 This Week on SJP
🏆 Backers

Nintendo’s DS Delivered the Visual Novel to the West

No other platform did as much to popularize the genre

SUPERJUMPC.S. Voll

The Dark Side of Gay Culture in Mediterranea Inferno: A Profane Iconology

Examining social and existential issues in gay culture in the context of social media and conservatism

SUPERJUMPVitor M. Costa

Slay the Princess is a Spooky Narrative Masterpiece

Explore a shattered multiverse of narrative design in Slay the Princess’s full release

SUPERJUMPCat Webling

Infinity Series: Visual Novels From a Game Design Perspective

There’s more than one way to tell a visual novel

SUPERJUMPIvanir Ignacchitti

Mask of the Rose: Love Lives of the Damned

Romance, beasts, and a lot of fashion

SUPERJUMPAndrew Johnston

A Potion for Chamomile is a Wholesome LGBTQ Fantasy

Heartfelt visual novel with LGBTQ themes

SUPERJUMPPriya Sridhar

Stray Gods is a Campy, Engrossing Visual Novel With a Song in its Heart

Sing for your life

SUPERJUMPLatonya “Penn” Pennington

How Video Games Use Reduced Stimulation

Varying stimulation can dramatically alter game experiences

SUPERJUMPAbhishek Iyer

Getting Lost (by Design) in Hollow Knight

Team Cherry’s bug-filled caper makes you earn your exploration

SUPERJUMPAbhishek Iyer

Overcooked: How Design Creates Teamwork

Chaotic cooking couch co-op concocts camaraderie

SUPERJUMPAbhishek Iyer

The Helpful, Harmful Sounds of Thumper

Rhythm violence where the beat guides you and tears you down

SUPERJUMPAbhishek Iyer

As the definition of "retro" has grown, we've seen more and more old-school sensibilities emerge in new games. Hollowbody, a survival horror game with some definite sixth-generation horror flair, is definitely one of those titles. This might be the game that desperate Silent Hill fans have been waiting for.

Some time in the future, a technological disaster strikes that leaves parts of the world uninhabitable. There are people known as Shippers who've turned this into a business opportunity, retrieving rare objects from these exclusion zones on behalf of shadowy benefactors. Your business partner disappeared on one such scavenging mission, and now you're heading in to find her and get her out. You're not alone, however - something is lurking in that city, and you'd better get out before it finds you.

Hollowbody's inspirations are obvious. The puzzle design, combat mechanics and overall aesthetic are based heavily on Silent Hill 2 and 3, right down to the use of fixed camera angles. However, this isn't just another spiritual successor. All signs are that Hollowbody is building on that concept, with a novel setting and the quality-of-life elements you'd expect from a modern game. The techno-horror story is particularly intriguing, and it'll be interesting to see how the narrative pans out.

Hollowbody is pending a release date.

💻 Created by Headware Games
✍️ Andrew Johnston

Will Civilization VII Finally Get the Tech Tree Right?

How will Civilization VII deal with its tech tree?

SUPERJUMPAndrew Johnston

Thirsty Suitors Shows How Diaspora Romance Culture Puts Queer Asians on the Spot

A timely game for Pride Month

SUPERJUMPPriya Sridhar

Indie Monthly: July 2024

The hot summer offers up its best

SUPERJUMPAndrew Johnston

Stray Gods is a Campy, Engrossing Visual Novel With a Song in its Heart

Sing for your life

SUPERJUMPLatonya “Penn” Pennington

What is Progress?

Exploring various interpretations and signs of “progress” in video games

SUPERJUMPGavin Annand

Thank you to Berke, Brandon, CT, Cathie, Claire, Geena, Lexi, Nick, Oren, Troy, Radha, and Wes for supporting independent, cynicism-free games publishing.