Week 12: Research (Cloud)

Cloud by Jenova Chen

Description

Cloud is a single-player, puzzle video game initially designed for Microsoft Windows as a USC Interactive Media Program's project. The game focuses on imaginative flight, where the player can fly win the sky and solve cloud puzzles. The game is aimed towards giving the players a relaxing and meditative experience that aren't so common in modern video games. There are four major missions in the game, each with different objectives, as well as ten mini levels. The game has won several awards since its release in October 24, 2005.

Inspiration

Jenova Chen, the lead designer, took inspiration from his childhood dream of being able to fly in the sky. It is designed to be a non-stressful experience which allows the players to see the beauty in nature that's usually ignored in real-life and spark emotions from them. As mentioned in the book Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Third Edition, he wanted to answer trhe question which was “Can we make a game that evokes the exciting but peaceful feeling when you look at the blue sky and white clouds.” (P. 192) As the result, the game becomes a soothing experience with the beautiful sky, as well as the story and the world in which gives the players the emotional impact he aimed for. There were also some struggles that were mentioned regarding the design process of the game. Jenova stated that, since the game was meant to be relaxing, he has to carefully design the puzzle so that they are not too chanllenging because it would defeat the purpose of the game being relaxing. Instead, he tried to design the puzzles while keeping in mind what would make them create the best possible emotional experience to the players.