Game Classification

Apophenia was developed for the TIGSource Procedural Generation contest and creates different introductions, environments, characters and movement based on the seed name entered. This is not randomized as using a name a second time will yield an identical result. Gameplay is almost identical in each environment with only a small amount of changes. Technically, not a single game can be won. Players control a character with the mouse in a single-screen environment where certain moving objects make it grow or just smaller. Colliding with another object produces a sound effect. Usually, when a unique character in the game shrinks to nothing (having the player grow), the game is over.

Since there are no clear goals, as a metagame, it exists mainly for humouristic value in the way it mocks the symbolism of art games. Players can enable a "Pretentious Mode" on the main screen where each environment is introduced by a short text explaining the symbolism in the most random of ways:

In this game you are the ideal embodiment of a newborn, passively wishing to stare at an ill-advised decision.

or:

In this wacky misadventure you are magically transformed into a third nipple, creatively risking life and limb to raise a good wizard, proving conclusively that games are legitimate art forms. [source:mobygames]

Distribution : Retail - Commercial
Platform(s) : PC (Windows)

Links

• http://www.mobygames.com/game/apophenia/