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

STORY SHOWCASE

VISUAL NOVELS

Nintendo’s DS Delivered the Visual Novel to the West
No other platform did as much to popularize the genre
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
Slay the Princess is a Spooky Narrative Masterpiece
Explore a shattered multiverse of narrative design in Slay the Princess’s full release
Infinity Series: Visual Novels From a Game Design Perspective
There’s more than one way to tell a visual novel
Mask of the Rose: Love Lives of the Damned
Romance, beasts, and a lot of fashion
A Potion for Chamomile is a Wholesome LGBTQ Fantasy
Heartfelt visual novel with LGBTQ themes
Stray Gods is a Campy, Engrossing Visual Novel With a Song in its Heart
Sing for your life

AUTHOR SHOWCASE

ABHISHEK IYER

👤
How Video Games Use Reduced Stimulation
Varying stimulation can dramatically alter game experiences
Getting Lost (by Design) in Hollow Knight
Team Cherry’s bug-filled caper makes you earn your exploration
Overcooked: How Design Creates Teamwork
Chaotic cooking couch co-op concocts camaraderie
The Helpful, Harmful Sounds of Thumper
Rhythm violence where the beat guides you and tears you down

ON THE RADAR

HOLLOWBODY

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.

Source: Steam.

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.

Source: Steam.

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

THIS WEEK

ON SUPERJUMP

Will Civilization VII Finally Get the Tech Tree Right?
How will Civilization VII deal with its tech tree?
Thirsty Suitors Shows How Diaspora Romance Culture Puts Queer Asians on the Spot
A timely game for Pride Month
Indie Monthly: July 2024
The hot summer offers up its best
Stray Gods is a Campy, Engrossing Visual Novel With a Song in its Heart
Sing for your life
What is Progress?
Exploring various interpretations and signs of “progress” in video games

BACKERS

THANK YOU 🙏

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