Part 3: Submitting for alt.ctrl.gdc (11/13/2023 -12/20/2023)
Editor's Note:
Welcome to part 3! After a couple of motivating intitial exhibitions, prepare a submission for alt.ctrl.gdc. Read on if you're into that sort of thing. Game dev stuff continues in part 4.
Ian
Lol that’s funny. Who was it? I’m down to try to submit to Ctrl alt, maybe just need to do a meeting to talk what that means.
I guess for me it is a real question of how much more we want to do, both in content and in polish. I'm not sure how much bandwidth I will have over the next month will Holidays starting up and such.
Fair, if its really just a couple of art polishes and a video my guess is we got time. I've got some editing experience so I can help with that, so we just need to get footage, whatever VO or whatever, and any graphics we want to use.
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2:07 PM
If we wanted to do like just people playing and a narrator overtop it might be good, with close ups on controller/screen for various parts could work. This is all ingame stuff, but I made a mechanics overview trailer for Darkest Dreams, could be somewhat in the style of that
2:14 PM
I could do a call/meetup tomorrow or Wednesday if ya want to try to hash something out.
ok cool, I think I am available both days. @Mike what's your availability?
2:22 PM
"Please submit ONE (1) video link for judges that demonstrates the game and controller; a filmed video with split-screen or clear explanations is appreciated):
*
[help us clearly understand how the controller(s) and game(s) work together and how the controller creates a unique experience]"
(edited)
Ian
If we wanted to do like just people playing and a narrator overtop it might be good, with close ups on controller/screen for various parts could work. This is all ingame stuff, but I made a mechanics overview trailer for Darkest Dreams, could be somewhat in the style of that - https://youtu.be/OU4gs6FBeXY
This exhibition, co-helmed by indie curator John Polson, showcases some of the most unique, offbeat, and innovative controllers in modern games—with this year featuring a focus on accessibility.
Also, I know Francesca from school showed the game "hell couch" at ctrl alt gdc, I will ask her about her video. Though that may have been the first year so could be different now.
Yeah I think the big question for me is, where to land on the spectrum of "fun" video versus really straightforward feature breakdown like you had in your darkest dreams vid
1:09 PM
and if these videos on the page are likely what was submitted for review or if they are just separate distinct trailers
"The format we did for Hellcouch was a 30 second "hype" trailer followed by a minute or so of us talking about the game and showing some playtesting footage
This was what we submitted https://youtu.be/NNaRnhi6SZ8?si=zLGxzS06RlHbm21t"
No worries, I'll take a crack at it before then, maybe be a jump start for you. Also all my Thanksgiving travel plans just got canceled so I got some extra time next week lol
Maybe I'll just try to set the game up tonight and record some stuff just in case we want to mess around with ideas before I get back from Denver next week.
I almost want to just do the video with that voice narrating the same text that's on the itch.io page(edited)
6:16 PM
6:18 PM
I think if we cut the second paragraph this would come in close to the 30 seconds of "hype" before we go into more controller emphasizing details(edited)
Yeah I could def see those 3 paragraphs. Footage wise I'm not sure what plays durring it, but I might just record a quick verison (to be replaced with someone with a better voice) and start noodling around with it to try to get a vibe for it.
Yeah I could def see those 3 paragraphs. Footage wise I'm not sure what plays durring it, but I might just record a quick verison (to be replaced with someone with a better voice) and start noodling around with it to try to get a vibe for it.
Ok, I have some more footage in that Google photos album. Some might still be uploading. That's all I can do before I get back next week. Let me know if there's anything specific we should record when I get back.
Unfortunately some personal stuff came up that took me out of commission for the majority of the week, but I found a little time to do a rough pass on the trailer. There are two chunks that are missing video (just red) where I'm not sure what to put, but we got some time to figure it out. LMK what ya think - https://drive.google.com/file/d/19rnqzxgHtj2OC35oK-KTeRd8qktrRxKk/view?usp=sharing
Good work! I get back tomorrow if we need any more footage
11:32 PM
My only thoughts are
1. we need sound design / music for the video
2. maybe we can find some more footage that makes it look like groups are enjoying it in a festive setting
3. Maybe we can show the killer on the belt and some footage of the ending screen with the score(edited)
11:33 PM
Love the freeze frame thing nailed it
11:34 PM
If we do the stuff for #3, think it should be recording of TV or straight up screen capture off PC?
11:35 PM
Also, maybe we could use more of the commercials or the news video
Unfortunately some personal stuff came up that took me out of commission for the majority of the week, but I found a little time to do a rough pass on the trailer. There are two chunks that are missing video (just red) where I'm not sure what to put, but we got some time to figure it out. LMK what ya think - https://drive.google.com/file/d/19rnqzxgHtj2OC35oK-KTeRd8qktrRxKk/view?usp=sharing
I'll take another crack at it tonight, try to put some music in and such. I think after that I'll get a list together to what I need some help with. Just fyi I'm leaving town on the 6th for a couple days, so if things really come down to the wire I might have to pass the baton.
vs2 I'm feeling solid about it. I think if we want to do anything more with sound I'll need concrete ideas or someone else to pilot. Footage wise we are fairly tapped so if we feel like we need something we will most likely need to record some more. - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qC-5TLL3qRF8c9snN5p1XEF6zGj7D5y9/view?usp=sharing
Then I think it might be cool to show the news clip / intro screens (which maybe I need to record if we want it on the actual TV) at the start of the video where we have the killer on the belt now, and move the killer on the belt to the end, but also I'm fine, w/ not doing that too
1:47 PM
And the last thing I noticed is that the mouse cursor is visible in the two clips that are screen recordings. I think it's in the letterboxed black area, maybe we can crop them out or cover them with black. Or I can record the same shots if that is helpful.
Looks great to me and I have no more ideas. If you have conviction one way or another about any of the revisions I trust your judgement but this is looking good to me!
@Ian@Mike so, are we good with the latest vid and the text from the google doc:
Channel: Death is an installation-based digital escape room where players use a real television remote and an old-fashioned pen and paper to solve puzzles, complete minigames, and thwart the nefarious Broadcast Killer. Designed for in person festivals, players work together over the course of an event leaving physical notes to track clues and collaborate with successive players. The TV remote interface synergizes with the game mechanics, narrative, and aesthetics to evoke a unique gameplay experience inspired by the channel surfing in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
So if they accepted us and I had some money from school
1:39 PM
Do you think we should try to set up like a couch and TV and coffee table and like a lamp?
1:40 PM
I ask because they want to know what our setup would be. I could mention that the minimum is just what we have done in the past but ideally we would like the fake living room setup if you think that would be worth it.
1:41 PM
Also, @Ian do you mind if I DL the video and put it on YouTube? They want a youtube or vimeo link
David
Also, @Ian do you mind if I DL the video and put it on YouTube? They want a youtube or vimeo link
I ask because they want to know what our setup would be. I could mention that the minimum is just what we have done in the past but ideally we would like the fake living room setup if you think that would be worth it.
Hmmm idk. I’m not sure if fake living room gives off the right vibe, I almost want to go the other direction and keep getting more tvs lol. I def would like to do more of something, just want to make sure w/e it is is pushing the game experience.
I feel like describe what we got so far, mention that we need at least some space for people to stand a little distance away from the tv to properly use the remote, and then say if we got extra space we would use it create s stronger theme/narrative for the game?
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3:20 PM
idk, you are the one filling it out, so I bow to w/e you want to write in the end lol
I'll look closely and share the details with you guys shortly
10:38 AM
But I couldn't wait to share the good news!
Editor's Note:
I am going to skip some content where we discuss how the heck we should get our installation to San Francisco. Luckily, a friend in the bay area was able to help us acquire loaner CRT TVs! I think it's noteworthy that alt.ctrl.gdc is the ONLY part of GDC that is not insanely commercialized, probably because most of the games can't really be distributed (they all involve custom controllers, etc.). No one in the alt.ctrl exhibition is making any money. As an assistant professor, I am fortunate to be able to apply for funding from the institution I work for. How does GDC expect other artists to afford to fly themselves and their materials out? Sadly, being an artist is quite a privilege.
Tales of gamedev continue in part 4, wherein we figure out what add and improve in the game.
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inTIErrupted - Trailer