Date Released: Jan 31, 2013
Developer: Alexander Bruce
Platform: PC
Description:
Antichamber is a first person puzzle platformer where many of the puzzles are based on phenomena that occur in Non-Euclidean geometry created by the game. These can include instances where there are passages that lead players to different locations depending on which way they face, and the structure seems impossible within normal three dimensional space. Bruce stated that “breaking down all those expecatations [regarding typical notions of Euclidean space] and then remaking them is essentially the core mechanic of the game.”
History:
Antichamber began in 2006 as an idea for an arena combat game. Bruce wanted to expand on the mechanics of Snake into a multiplayer experience. As he began developing iterations of the game, he dropped the combat mechanics, and focused solely on the puzzle elements, and decided to make it a single-player game. Part of the non-Euclidian aspect of the game came when a “rookie error” in coding led to them being formed, and he began becoming interested in the psychological aspects of the puzzles. Thus, he began to expand the game in this direction, and Antichamber was born. A quote that stuck out to me about his development was “the real reason that this game is interesting and is working is because it’s about psychology.”
Reception:
Antichamber went to widespread critical and finacial success. It has won many awards including IGF 2011 award winner, and an IndieCade 2011 finalist.
Links:
http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/02/road_to_the_igf_alexander_bruc.php
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