At a Distance (39.5MB Windows 43.9MB Mac OSX
Here’s an unusual game from Terry Cavanagh. You can play it single player, but it was designed to be played by two people playing side by side. Well worth trying out IMO. I’m in the middle of upgrading one of my computers and completing the build of another, both of which are (or will be) side by side once completed, so I’m really looking forwards to checking this out as it should be, Still, the single player experience isn’t to be sniffed at. :)
Each player must wander through a fuzzy environment, messing with everything they come across. Actions in one world will affect the other, and it’s up to the players to figure out exactly how through experimentation and shouting. Once the relationship between worlds has been discovered, you and your partner must work together to solve the grand puzzle.
The man about indie town, Terry Cavanagh, has just announced that his latest intriguing game experience At A Distance is available for download. You do need a partner and two monitors running the game side by side to actually play it the way it is meant to be played. It’s never easy is it Cavanagh!
At A Distance is one of those that games that attempts to push the limits of the medium, it’s a tad experimental you could say. It was originally contrived for NYU Game Centre’s 2011 No Quarter Exhibition, but has since gone on to become a finalist at Indiecade 2011, and a Game of the Show Nominee at Eurogamer Expo 2011. After touring a few exhibitions with it, Cavanagh launched the game for all to play during the last venue in London yesterday.
Essentially, At A Distance is a two player game, albeit it can be played as a single player game, but the indie game gods may come and strike you down for such an act. Just kidding. Cavanagh does urge for people to play it with a partner in any way they can so that both of you can see each other’s screens. He has even suggested that you play it via webcam over Skype if you have to. But what is all of this preliminary fuss all about? At A Distance attempts to create a sense of solitude in a shared experience. Well, if anyone can do that, Cavanagh can. As the two of you work together to try and figure out the game (best not to give anything away), a disparity is created despite using teamwork and communication. Confusing? Yes. Genuis? Just might be.
Reference accessed HERE
Read THIS article for a fuller explanation of what the game/interactive art is all about.
Video:
You can see some video of gameplay HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE,
Download:
Yo can download At a Distance either from the developers site HERE or from The Indie Games Web blog HERE
