"Death is not the end; it is the beginning"
This was the theme for the GDC August Jam 2022; my first game jam, and my first hands-on experience of designing and creating a game from scratch with a team. In just 3 days, we made a game about traversing different realms of the afterlife in search of eternal rest, avoiding malevolent spirits trying to drag you back to your former life. In each level you're reincarnated as a different symbol of resurrection; the Scarab, Ouroborus, and the Phoenix.
I co-composed this game's soundtrack and also played guitar for each track. Through instrumentation and musical colour, we attempted to create a sound world for the 3 level tracks that would reflect a dark, ancient and mythical setting.
I had so much fun with this project that I signed up for another one within the same month!
To complement this level's steady, explorative pace, we created a captivating groove with various contrasting sections to keep the player engaged and let their imagination wander as they search the desert.
Level 2 has more drive and momentum, building through an ascending section to a flourishing guitar climax. This sense of movement is combined with a variety of circle and loop motifs to mirror the cyclical imagery of Ouroborus, the self-eating serpent.
This level's gameplay involved soaring gracefully through the sky between floating pillars and temples as a majestic phoenix. To replicate the weightlessness and freedom offered by this mode of player control, we created a free-tempo guitar part that floats over a bed of spacious drones, synths and airy effects.
Contact me: mailme@lewisrichardson.co.uk 07916249524