Before Language Broke
This short experience is about finding connection in a world where language has broken down, exploring the fragments of communication that remain and finding solidarity.
Had this strange little idea pop into my head and O2A2 allowed me to poke at it.
Submission for Only One of Any Asset Game Jam 2025 while I work on my larger projects. Made with strict asset limitations and a 1000 word count limit.
Music by Dark Fantasy Studio "Fallen leaves".
Writing, coding and art by Martin Giadrosich. Follow my page for upcoming releases!
Comments
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Ooo such a neat concept executed so beautifully. The importance of words, of language, really shines through
Not to sound dramatic, but this sounds like a poem you would find in an old book. I like how you described things, like the part when you said. ''Light, caught in the air like dust turned gold." and the art makes me think of oil pastel!! It fits together beautifully.
Thanks so much! I was trying out some oil brushes for the first time (usually I do fairly hard lined things so wanted to do something a little different).
It definitely looks really good!!
I like how vague everything is. This is really the kind of piece that benefits from the 1000 words limit, as it would probably fall apart when dragged longer. Beautiful BG choice too.
Thanks so much! And yes, it's only around 550 words. I found that if I tried to hit the very limit of the 1k, it was just unnecessary.
Very beautiful, mysterious piece. I have a lot of questions, but I don't want them answered (but in a good way). This game's a nice reminder to not get so caught up in the small details and just focus on enjoying the simple sensations and emotions of life for what they are now and then.
Thank you! I also don't have all the answers to many of my own questions about this hah. It's really just a slice of a moment in a bigger story, and I'm glad folks can appreciate it!
The way it was written was so well done, it felt so ancient and poetic. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and commentary here, great game. Ekos,
Thank you so much! Ekos!
I liked this, very atmospheric and poetic.
Appreciate the kind words, thank you for trying it!
I really quite liked this!
Thank you so much for trying it out :)
Ekos.
Very interesting. I like the concept and the sky background is very beautiful
I appreciate you taking a look at it! Thank you so much :)
Super cool concept... The use of language to convey the narrators thoughts, and then realizing in actuality they'd be like, an approximation of complex but indescribable emotion made me ponder for a moment how wild language as a concept is, really. This one left me wanting more.
Thank you so much for taking a look at it! I'm not sure I'll expand on it yet, I think it works as a concept. I'd have to dig a bit deeper in the world building to see what could be there, but I enjoyed tinkering with the idea.