I initially framed this as a post-apocalyptic solarpunk project but decided to expand some aspects to include cyberpunk themes as the precursor. Working backwards from the “ending” has been an interesting endeavor.
As an artist, directly influencing the sound, story, and visuals has helped shape this alternate world. In broadening the exposition, I’ve undergone some efforts into research on philosophical, psychological, and socio-economic/geopolitical topics as the parameters or rules in which the society operates. The fantastical and supernatural elements serve as an underlying imagination that blends superstition/religion with science fiction.
In a sense, I’ve sought after expanding my prior capabilities into new frontiers such as coding, worldbuilding, and character creation. I’m hoping to employ unique methods of storytelling such as visual novel, light ARG elements, and other portrayals of audience interaction to expand the narrative beyond its original purpose.
It has been a several year-long venture into something tangible and current, considering the current state of affairs.
This work is derived from various borrowed elements in other well-known cyberpunk works such as Bladerunner, The Matrix, Akira, etc. More to list eventually.
It’s not so much a political criticism of a particular group as it is a figurative allegory of one potential reality among other theoretical realities. In order to maintain a neutral or outsider perspective, I am serving as a guide for the audience. Though, that is not to say there is some level of author bias in how a character would act in a given situation.
See below. I’m not spoiling the project any further.
Chapter 1 - Specific lense of world told through fringe perspective, subplot is created
Chapter 2 - Expanding conflict to foreshadow apocalypse, subplot continues
Chapter 3 - Climax of subplot and main story, precepts of the apocalypse
Chapter 4 - The post-apocalypse, switch to religious subtext; New-age transhumanism and solarpunk society i.e. “angels”
Chapter ? - Potential set-up for final cataclysmic duality of machine versus organism; The mechanical AI vs the biological hivemind