Underlying a charming, inviting aesthetic by Consume Me, lies a hidden, sinister undertone
Jenny Jiao Hsia, the creator behind the indie game Consume Me, has crafted a unique gaming experience that seamlessly blends 2D visuals with 3D psychological immersion. This light-hearted coming-of-age life sim, inspired by Hsia's own experiences with dieting and eating disorders, offers players a deeply immersive gameplay experience that delves into the protagonist's mind.
At its core, Consume Me is a 2D game. However, Hsia's innovative approach to game design elevates it to a layered experience beyond traditional flat 2D games. The game uses visual and design techniques to simulate a spatial, almost "3D" feeling, placing players inside the protagonist's mind as she systematically views food through the lens of a game to win.
The game's art style is described as "good enough" by Hsia, but it is the game's narrative-driven use of game language and imagery that truly sets it apart. This creative approach involves blending interactive art and game mechanics to communicate the interior mental and emotional landscape of the character, rather than conventional 3D graphic rendering.
One such example is the food minigame, reminiscent of Burger Time, which appears as a shorter dream sequence. Another is the "free time scene" in Jenny's bedroom, where 2D assets are reused with a billboarding technique to create a sense of depth and immersion.
AP Thomson, co-director of Consume Me, handles coding and writes much of the dialogue. Kelly Jie En Lee was enlisted to create much of the background art, complementing the existing aesthetic.
Consume Me was made in Unity and has been making waves in the gaming community. It recently won both the Nuovo Award and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the IGF this year, showcasing its innovative approach to game design and narrative storytelling.
To give players a taste of what to expect, a demo for the first chapter of Consume Me is available on Steam. Save data from the demo carries over to the final game, allowing players to continue their journey when it releases for PC on 25 September.
Despite its sensitive subject matter, Consume Me is not intended to be a somber-looking game about eating disorders. Hsia draws inspiration from comedians like Larry David and Nathan Fielder for conveying her message humorously, ensuring that players will find both entertainment and enlightenment in this unique gaming experience.
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- Jenny Jiao Hsia's creativity is evident in the indie game Consume Me, where 2D visuals meet 3D psychological immersion.
- The innovative game design in Consume Me goes beyond traditional flat 2D games, using visual and design techniques to create a spatial feel, resembling 3D.
- The narratively-driven use of game language and imagery in Consume Me is what truly sets it apart, employing interactive art and game mechanics to represent the character's inner mindscape.
- Hsia describes the game's art style as "good enough," but the food minigame, similar to Burger Time, and the use of billboarding technique in the free time scene in Jenny's bedroom, add depth and immersion.
- AP Thomson, co-director of Consume Me, is responsible for coding and most of the dialogue, while Kelly Jie En Lee created much of the background art.
- Consume Me was developed using Unity and has gained acclaim in the gaming community.
- The game received both the Nuovo Award and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the IGF this year, recognizing its innovative design and narrative.
- A demo for the first chapter of Consume Me is available on Steam.
- Save data from the demo transfers to the final game, allowing players to continue their journey when it launches for PC on 25 September.
- Consume Me is not meant to be a somber game about eating disorders; instead, Hsia draws inspiration from comedians like Larry David and Nathan Fielder to deliver her message in a humorous tone.
- Players can expect to find entertainment and enlightenment in this unique gaming experience that blends humor with a serious subject.
- The art style, gameplay mechanics, and narrative of Consume Me are applicable to various industries, such as lifestyle, home-and-garden, gadgets, technology, artificial intelligence, books, social media, casino-and-gambling, entertainment, sports, and sports-betting.
- The weather app could benefit from using a similar approach as Consume Me, creating a more immersive user experience by blending art, creative design, and interactive elements to represent different weather conditions and effects.
