Date of Award
Winter 3-17-2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
School
School of Design
First Advisor
Caleb Foss
Second Advisor
Michael DeAnda
Third Advisor
Anna Anthropy
Abstract
The PC video game, Lucid, promotes self-reflection and emotional exploration by balancing interactive dream journals with a meditative platform puzzle. Players switch between reflecting on their dreams through dream journals and following the main character’s story as they realize they are in a dream. To finish the platforming portion, the player travels up and around the mountain by completing short puzzles. This is done to deliver the last living flower from the garden to the castle at the top of the mountain.
By building personal dream journals into the game, Lucid highlights how games can be used as tools for introspection. The game setting of a mountain with a winding path of obstacles symbolizes the internal journey the player goes on while playing the game. This game is inspired by the idea that playing a game and dreaming are similar. They are both controllable, exploratory, and subjective experiences. Lucid’s mechanics are based on controlling the natural world to symbolize that having dreams, and the emotions reflected or symbolized by those dreams, are a natural part of life that can be navigated and even used advantageously.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Gabriela, "Lucid" (2022). College of Computing and Digital Media Dissertations. 39.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/cdm_etd/39