"Symbiont" is a multimedia gaming project that explores the hypothetical notion of humans undergoing a metamorphosis and transitioning into non-human forms during the pupal stage. The project's objective is to challenge the hierarchical human body system and scrutinize the anthropocentric viewpoint that humans possess greater intelligence and sophistication than other species. The project comprises two components: a physical map, which incorporates narration that enable players to gain insights into the game's worldview, and a video game, in which players control the avatar with a transformative body and engage with other species and the natural world through a distinct sensory experience. By participating in the game, players shall reconfigure their body system and reassess the relationship between their body and the nature.
Video Game
Made with: Unity, Illustrator
Made with: Unity, Illustrator
Symbol System
Interaction Demo
Game Map
Made with: Illustrator, Laser-cut
Materials: Acrylic Board
This physical map has been specifically designed for the video game "Symbiont." The world depicted on the map is divided into three distinct areas: the lush but mysterious forest, the tranquil countryside, and the bustling while deceptive city. As players journey through each region, they will have the opportunity to listen to the stories of Yun, a teenage girl coming from the countryside, who will share her experiences of interacting with the various species that inhabit this world. The gaming experience of the players will be enriched as they delve into these historical, cultural, and political aspects of this unique world.
Digital Design
Outcome
Forest
Countryside
City
Narration
1. Nana
There was a contentious debate tonight about whether I should attend the high school in the city.
"Don't you remember how they used to mistreat us?" my mother grumbled.
"I do. But Yun is still young, and she could flourish if she studies and works in the city," Grandma countered.
"But what if they're deceiving us? What if they seize Yun, like they snatched Nana from us?" my mother argued.
Nana, my mother's older sister, began to manifest symptoms of a transformative human when she was just 18. She claimed to see things that no one else could, and gradually withdrew from socializing with others. Instead, she spent more and more time confiding in her pets and plants. Despite her family's efforts to conceal Nana's condition by keeping her at home, their neighbors uncovered the truth and reported her to the Transformative Human Control Department. This department segregated individuals who had the potential to undergo transformation, as at the time, transformative humans were viewed as a threat to the general public. When Nana was taken away by the THCD, her family never saw her again.
However, the fear and prejudice did not stop there. Although scientists could only speculate that the transformative process typically occurred when individuals were in their 20s, people began to theorize their own beliefs. They surmised that the offspring and close relatives of families with transformative individuals had a higher chance of undergoing the same transformation. Due to this misguided assumption, families like my mother's were marginalized and discriminated against in their daily lives, ultimately compelling them to relocate to the countryside.
2. Prospect
As the only one coming from the countryside, my classmates showed a keen interest in my past experiences, bombarding me with questions. "What kind of rituals did you perform back home? Have you ever encountered transformative species? What special abilities did they possess?"
"If I were selected," Alice shared, "I would opt for wings to fly, which definitely would be an exhilarating experience. Also, it would be extraordinary to have all my senses augmented, I just can’t stop imagining how vibrant the world would be in a different way."
"I have always been intrigued by the prospect of being able to communicate with animals. I would love to know what my dog is thinking." Evelyn chipped in.
"But I believe it would ultimately lead to a survival of the fittest scenario," Oliva countered. "Without morality or rules to guide individuals, you would need to get really powerful or you would perish at the hands of others. Additionally, there would be no technological assistance to protect you from potential dangers."
"That sounds like perfect freedom to me," Alex replied, indifferent to the potential risks. "After all, you probably won't even remember the life you had before your transformation."
"I do find this idea terrifying," Harper interjected. "The idea of forgetting my loved ones and leaving them behind is unbearable. It would be painful to lose them forever."
Alice, however, was more hopeful. "Perhaps one day we can coexist with transformative species," she suggested. "Negotiations seem to be progressing well, and language specialists are decoding their communication methods."
David, who had remained quiet up to this point, finally spoke up. "While they may have been humans, once they undergo a transformation, they will be driven by their animal instincts and become a threat to society," he explained. "Their behavior would be unpredictable and unstable, and we would be unable to trust them to behave in a civilized manner."
He turned to Olivia. "And you're right, there would be no rules or morality to govern their actions. We would be at their mercy, and I'm not willing to take that risk. Our human way of life is already complex and great enough without adding in the unknown variables of transformative features."
“Don’t be such a speciesist, David.” Countered Evelyn, “It is unjust to pass judgment on transformative species without seeking to understand their unique perspectives and abilities. As co-inhabitants of the same land, we ought to recognize and respect their values and needs as well, just as we expect the same in return”
3. Transformative Species
I’ve never seen a creature like this. Amidst the towering trees and rustling leaves, they emerged from the shadows. Their eyes were a marvel to behold, with light pupils that sparkled in the shadowy forest, and delicate lashes that fluttered with each blink. A prominent and wet nose jutted out from their face, quivering with each inhale of the air.
They landed on four human-like hands, gripping tight to the ground. Their body is covered in fur, with a specifically dense patch around its neck, showing its fierce nature which was in contrast with its seemingly gentle appearance.
As the creature approached me and my mum, I could see eye-shaped patterns—which my mother told me were their air holes—throbbing slightly on their body. They seemed like windows to the creature’s mysterious soul. Its thin tail flicking behind it, as it walked with grace.
Standing before the creature, I followed my mother's lead and pulled out the necklace that hung around my neck. Most of our community members have a necklace like this, with a sachet hanging at the bottom. The sachet was filled with special plants that only grew in the forest, plants that our elders believed had the power to connect us to the nature. It was a tradition to give these necklaces to children when they turned fourteen, a symbol of our community's deep reverence for the natural world.
The creature paused in front of us, sniffing curiously at the sachets. Their long ears slightly vibrated and tail swung gently, showing that they were not alarmed or agitated by our presence. As they rise up their head, their gaze locking with mine, a sense of awe swept over me. This transformative species before me was a living work of art, a testament to the nature’s creativity.