Return
“ I was at home alone feeling a sudden depressed. Within a moment of the blink, I can clearly see my actions from a bird eye view. I witnessed myself finding a weapon trying to kill myself, and I cannot control my body. I was floating and my soul was a few inches away from my physical body. I was worried if I cannot go back…”
Return by Zhiying Guan is an art installation and game with the use of Unity Engine, Arduino, and an Arcade Joystick. This work is related to people who are suffering from depression, especially detachment of the soul from the physical body. It also wants to brought people’s attention and change people’s stereotype about how the actual world looks like for a person that suffers from depression.
Initial idea and sketch creating the gameThe goal for the player is to control the soul of the character using the Arcade Joystick to return the physical body. During this process, the main character will face the obstacle of the bullets hitting the soul away and prevents it from getting closer to the physical body.
The Bedroom
This bedroom was created using Cinema4D, the color of the room presents a comfortable and chilling vibe. I was inspired by Y2K and pop culture in the 20 centry. I also include detailed decorations from my childhood memories.
The Character
This character with split faces with glitch in half of the face symbolizing uncertainty and depression. The color of this character also stay consistance with the color of the room. The psychologycal character was detached from the physical character which layed in the bed. The main goal of the game is to combine the two of them.
This character with split faces with glitch in half of the face symbolizing uncertainty and depression. The color of this character also stay consistance with the color of the room. The psychologycal character was detached from the physical character which layed in the bed. The main goal of the game is to combine the two of them.
The Joystick
The Joystick is the key feature of this installation. This was created with IKEA table and an Arcade Joystick from Amazon. I made a hole in the table and used wood working and soldering to inlay the joystick into the table. I also painted the table and the wood plate to made it clean and neat.
Exibition results
