ACHTERHOOFD

When I started Voidcapes 4 Life Baby (I received funding from Het Stimuleringsfonds), my main goal was to just experiment, make weird stuff and release my creative energy. I wanted to use games as a form of art and share the project with others and maybe get in touch with a publisher to release the newest Proteus.

My goal was to make 3 empty but “interactive” environments/spaces (voidscapes) with each their own theme. I wanted to get down and dirty on the surroundings and tell 3 separate stories about our environment and nature.  

But during the development of my games, I got really depressed (again) and finally sought out some help, and the overall theme of the voidscapes evolved into empty space and my personal depression. While I can see the beauty of life it has no meaning to me. Beauty, happiness and good times always remind me of the periods where I can’t feel those anymore, where I can’t find the consolation in beauty (and things I liked before).

I wanted to depict 3 stages of my depression. The first one  means isolation, and how your normal surroundings feel distant and alienating. The environment that’s supposed to be comforting is suddenly chaotic and empty (but yet filled). The second is about filling the void on your own terms and in your own way, others (friend and family) can be a big influence on it (in a good or bad way).  

Last but not least, the third (ACHTERHOOFD) is about acceptance and calmness, but there will always be an endless void in the background. There is always a chance for depression to surface again.  (You can find all of them on my itch page)

buh bye <3