• At a low point in my life, I learned to confront my emotions through a creative project

• Inspired by pop-folk music and the "cottage core" aesthetic movement, I began writing a story bible for a new universe

• Writing the story for the main character helped me uncover parts of my own identity: mainly my love for nature and an aromantic identity

Example Dialogue with Ambriose

• Gameplay centered on gardening, reinforced by narrative: Dror is being watered and supported by the people he meets, allowing himself to bloom and come to terms with his identity

• Learning a new game engine (GB Studio) and drawing pixel art for the first time were daunting tasks to overcome within a month, but my passion and dedication to explore my identity through a creative project motivated me

Example Dialogue with Ansel

• Uncertain at the direction the "Pastoral" series would go, a vivid eldritch sci-fi dream sparked my motivation to continue writing the saga

• Becoming more familiar with pixel art and the GB Studio game engine, I was able to imagine much more complex environments and dialogue systems

• Working on maintaining what makes "Pastoral" the series it is, while also adding unique flair in a direct sequel to make it truly special and a standalone product

Sketched Map of "Nerevia" (1)

• Gameplay centered on fishing and the ocean, reinforced by narrative: In many ways, Act Two pushes Dror through the low and high tides of life, forcing him to "go with the flow" and trust himself

• Sketching environments early and iterating as needed in order to create a more compelling and interesting region identity

Sketched Map of "Nerevia" (2)