I’m more concerned White Birch is getting a lot of votes because he likened it to Ico and Journey. Great games for sure but people jump on it. Like I said the setting and story of this won me over. I just hope it’s a sprawling open world adventure like a zelda or okami

This is my favorite pitch! The concept art is beautiful and it sounds like it’d be a cool atmosphere to explore.

Art!

Deekman - 19 November 2012 04:57 PM

DF Levi - 19 November 2012 04:52 PM

Thanks for the votes guys!!! Here is more Black Lake info if you need it:
http://cdn.humblebundle.com/static/hashed/4323e89a668c1f6373c2ec54c0a055608736f6fb.pdf

That sounds amazing! How is this not already in production?!

What did you have in mind for gameplay?

Thanks!
I updated the top of the page with some more gameplay info.

Acorino - 19 November 2012 08:05 PM

This might be my favorite so far, it’s the kind of game I’d love to play. The concept art already catches the eye, of course.
I just might have one reservation: this kind of spiritual, mystical story can easily become dull, lifeless and filled with platitudes in the wrong hands. But since DoubleFine is pretty much renowned for its great storytelling capabilities…I probably shouldn’t need to worry, right? Just…please no empty droning on about destiny, no endless repeats of phrases like “This is my destiny, I have to follow it!”, okay? Thanks!

I’m not even sure if the story might be heading in such a direction, but intuitively it seems like it. I’m just precautious.

Oh man, don’t worry. I wouldn’t take that destiny route. I like letting the player be who they want to be and not follow the footsteps put out in front of them. I’m big on visual story telling and having the environment become the main character. I’d push story into the corners of the forest that you may or may not find.

DoomMachine83 - 19 November 2012 09:35 PM

A stunningly beautiful concept. I’m very much a fan of narrative-based games that fill the world with story. These types of games are the most “artistic” (in my opinion, at least). Clearly you know what your world is about, and I look forward to experiencing it.

My only note (as a proud AF backer and voter towards this project): I would love to see the Daughter’s motivation left unspoken. This lets us as players fill that mental space with our own answers.

I’m a big fan of movies and games that don’t over explain themselves. Lost was super cool because it made you stitch together the pieces of the story; You might fill in the blanks in a more creative way than the writers eventually do. That narative vibe is perfect for a folk tale filled with myth and symbolism. Good call.

Velren - 20 November 2012 04:17 AM

Sounds very intriguing, you got my vote Levi.

Awesome! Thanks!

VicOfAges - 20 November 2012 03:27 AM

I imagine a lot of detective vision/eagle vision-based gameplay. Is that reflective of the tracking you describe in your doc? And do you think players may become overly reliant on such a mechanic to navigate the world?

Tracking I see kind of like AssCreeds eagle vision. The player also has smell and hearing though. By default all three will pick up tracking clues in your immediate area but you can extend one sense at a time in a direction further away from the character. That “Focused” sense heighten its ability but would dampen other senses. If you heighten your hearing the visuals dim and blur but you hear much more detail in the forest around you. You might walk straight into a tree when in this mode, that would be awesome though.

jasondesante - 20 November 2012 11:09 AM

i have no idea how this will become a game.  it explains art and story nothing about gameplay or anything that makes a game a game.  this could be a comic book/ cartoon/ story/ movie pitch and be the exact same.  The story is obviously compelling to some people because its getting so many votes.

i would just love to actually understand how this is a game pitch

Hey J, I added more info to the top of the forum. Thanks for your post man!

Oh man, can’t the first 5 games become prototypes? They are all amazing :(

I love the art in this game, and the game mechanics seem intriguing (especially the “dream cleaning” part).  I really hope this is one of the pitches chosen to become a prototype.

I love the idea and the artwork!

This is my top pick!

This one is by far my favorite concept out of the group. Best of luck Levi!

MalicoreGalore - 20 November 2012 06:09 PM

This one is by far my favorite concept out of the group. Best of luck Levi!

Thanks MalicoreGalore!
Man, I like your Bill Murray fancy portrait. Good Choice.

This is pretty much my dream game. I really hope it ends up getting made. You’ve got my vote for sure.

Just wanted to pop in and say that this idea is super exciting to me. I’m a big fan of Lovecraft, and I think you’ve nailed that thematic influence in your concept work so far. I really hope Black Lake ends up in the top four!

I hope this one gets more votes and if it doesn’t I hope it sees the light of day anyway. Its a really creative, enchanting project.

This game seems awesome ! :D

I can’t believe it isn’t in the top 4 yet. Go, Black Lake, go !

FolkTale Inspiration
Anyone have a favorite dark folktale they really like? Maybe something Disney ended up turning into a brightly colored musical? Russia’s got some good stuff!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Yaga

The Huldra (skogsrå) is definitely one of my favourites. The whole “human/animal/forest” aspect is something that connects many older beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huldra

There’s a couple of other popular games out there I wanted to vote for but can’t because I want THIS game in the top four! White Birch seems similar in tone to this but going up a tower for most of the gameplay?  Sounds boring and too contained.  I kinda rolled my eyes after I read about that concept. Black Lake on the other hand?  A wide-open scope with endless possibilities/forms of gameplay.  This game concept caught my attention the most.

Henke - 21 November 2012 06:44 PM

The Huldra (skogsrå) is definitely one of my favourites. The whole “human/animal/forest” aspect is something that connects many older beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huldra

Man! This is great. Super eerie when things that aren’t human shift into human forms. It happens in Japanese Folklore too. In BlackLake I want the player to affect dreams but also for dreams to physically change the player. Like this….

I like how this game is getting momentum; even if it won’t make it I really hope it’ll give a good challenge to the competitors in the final voting phase just for the show =P

I like the art and idea, it got my vote.

This is my favorite idea.

One reason is that this game attracts me, is the grim look of the art(i hope you can fit it in the game)
The other reason is that you get a great way to tell some original stories(dream worlds are always fun).

I really hope your idea will make it, because i’m curious in how it works out.