Heavenhood

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_{Year
2020

Supervisor
Hellmut Monz, Patrice
Scope of Work
3D Concept, Animation, Mixed Reality}

Heavenhood is a VR walking simulator that explores the theme of dystopia underneath the utopia camouflage. As the player progresses through the game, they interact with the surroundings and discover the underlying disturbing truth. Under the control of excessive surveillance, human lose their privacy, and eventually, their identity. Heavenhood aims to challenge the ideal standards of society and highlight the invasion of technology in our lives. At the end of the day, whether Heavenhood is a utopia or dystopia, it depends on the perception of the player.

The project is currently featured on Blank Lab︎︎︎.

Project Trailer

Concept

Tackling the genre of technological dystopia, the game aims to build a twist that tricks and flips the perception of the players. In order to do so, utopian and dystopian elements are respectively introduced in the experience. After being exposed to a utopia in the appearance of a dream suburban neighbourhood, the players will realise that humans are cloned and replaced by robots.

Visual Style

To trick the players into believing that they are present in a perfect heaven-like neighbourhood, pastel colours are implemented for a sweet and soft mood. In addition, the 3D graphics are designed to be blocky and rounded to enhance friendly, innocent values. This is to create a vivid contrast between the utopian camouflage and the mechanical details of the dystopian side. As a result, it becomes more disturbing and uneasy on the players when they discover the underlying truth.

Character Design

The characters are dressed in 1950s clothes, an optimistic era of America. This aims to mock the utopian standards by modeling the characters after the cliché American stereotypes of respectable white collar working men and the ideal housewives. They are always happy with a constant smile on their faces. This depicts a dream-like life as if they are characters from a doll house.

Environment Design - Utopian Elements

The neighbourhood

Inspired by the idyllic housing of America in 1950s, Heavenhood introduces houses that are systematically built to be identical. Also, the iconic white picket fence and the perfect green lawn also pay tribute to the American 1950 utopian vision.

The Ferris Wheel

The Ferris Wheel acts as a metaphor for the distraction of the society, which represents the entertainment, leisure and hedonistic way of living. This is inspired by the theme park Pleasure Island from the iconic movie Pinocchio (1940).
Being placed at the heart of the neighbourhood, the Ferris wheel becomes the main attraction of entertainment. The excitement of the residents is demonstrated in the long queue waiting to take a ride.

Dystopian Elements

The Robotic Details

The robotic details underneath are the big reveal, also the climax of the VR game. The players are able to reveal the truth by grabbing the masks of the residents. This point warps the perception of the players and makes them realise that there is actual trouble in paradise.

The Bedroom

The houses are an essential part of Heavenhood. There are hints and secrets inside awaiting the players to explore. Inside the houses are the bedrooms. Once entering one certain bedroom, the players are one step closer to reach the secret trap door that opens the path leading to the dystopia.

The Corridor

As the transit station between the utopian camouflage and the technological dystopia, the corridor introduces a change of mood. The most noticeable change is the colours. From pastel bright hues, the corridor flips to a to darker, dimmer scene. The monochromatic bluish colour scheme also reveals the dominance of technology. As a result, this creates the contrast between two realms.

The Lab

The lab is by far the darkest and most disturbing area of Heavenhood where the dystopian nightmare is revealed in all its glory. Packed with dystopian elements, this area uncovers the origins of Heavenhood and make the players ponder upon the consequences of the technological dominance.

All the questions are left open for the players to interpret using the graphical input they have just experienced. They are encouraged to explore all of their conspiracy theories about Heavenhood. At the end of the day, whether Heavenhood is a utopia or a dystopia, the answers are up to the players.