Little Water Bear

ongoing

Little Water Bear is a side-scrolling puzzle adventure game with a mixture of 3D and 2D graphics. Set within the microcosm of a shattered water droplet, the game mirrors the interconnectedness of our own fragile ecosystems and communities. The core gameplay revolves around exploring and restoring the mysterious and at times savage reality of the microcosm as a tardigrade - more commonly known as a water bear. Separated from its flock, the water bear travels through the dangers of the microcosm in search of its kin and with the hope of restoring harmony in the microscopic world. Many of the creatures have furthermore been infected by a deadly parasite that is threatening the equilibrium of the ecosystem. The water bear’s only defense is its tun state; A cocoon-like transformation where the water bear hibernates in a glass suit of armor. With the aid of a researcher’s notebook, the player is presented with scientific illustrations, diagrams and notes about the creatures that inhabit the microscopic world. By studying the contents of the notebook and conversing with the microscopic animals, the player must acquire the knowledge required to solve the obstacles that hinders progress of the water bear’s quest. While set in a harsh reality, the game aims to provide an uplifting experience by use of the vibrant neon aesthetic of dark-field imaging, combined with a diverse set of colorful and quirky characters that are based on the microscopic animals found in the natural world. The game celebrates the diversity of the natural world and highlights the interconnectedness of life - even at microscopic scale. The objective of the project is to spend the next 12 months making a prototype of the first 20 minutes of the game. The focus will be on perfecting the mechanics, the narrative and aesthetics.