I just realised that I never published a Development Log for this game. Call it a rookie mistake.

Allow me to introduce my work:

GRAND is my directorial debut as a Game Developer. It is the first game which I wrote in its entirety. There is no music, though I’ve posted a list of my sonic influences HERE:

https://itch.io/t/746109/muscal-influenzas-what-did-you-listen-to-whilst-writing...

As it stands, to date this is the only game I’ve worked on for which I designed no sounds.

GRAND was developed largely over a two-week period. It was originally designed for NaNoRenO 2020, but it has since been submitted to both Dream Jam MMXX and its most natural home: the Text-Based Jam. Given the time and language in which it was written, it technically qualifies for all of the above events.

The objective for this game is made clear through the exploration of its story. In order to avoid spoilers, I shall list the following under a

===== === == = = SPO!LER WARN!NG:

The story consists of Five Acts, each subdivided into Four Scenes. A single playthrough may take up to an hour and a half. Players are encouraged to read the text carefully and with attention to detail; this will help them to advance.

There are two possible endings, one more tragic than the other. There are also two strata of difficulty, which are chosen by the Player-Reader whenever the Game is Started or Loaded.

There is a simple system by which a game may be restored. This will not require you to make any saves. It is explained outright when the game is loaded.

All bugs have been resolved in this available version. Any malware threats ought to be ignored. These are simply typical of a game written in an old code such as C. I will swear on both my reputation and my legal standing that I am NOT a hacker. (Those guise argh nutz.)

This novel is intended for English speakers of an advanced reading level. Some themes might be regarded as controversial. Different characters represent different points of view. No single point of view expressed ought to be regarded as the Author’s favourite opinion. My intent was to tell a story which abounds in both surrealism and realism. My influences are prone to illustrating difficult concepts through multiple personae.

This game is very personal to me. It is dedicated to several friends I have lost throughout my young adulthood.

SPO!LERS END HERE.= = == === =====

Please enjoy GRAND, and do your best to make it a deeply personal experience for yourself as well. I should note that the game’s algorithm is mysterious and cryptic, so even if you do not care for the prose or poetry you might derive some satisfaction from getting lost in the labyrinthine complexities of interpersonal relationships.

Regards and Wishes,

Lin Ji.

[({L.J.)}]