TINY HOPES

TINY HOPES is a small game about individuals who struggle to make their dreams a reality despite daily adversity - these are the everyday heroes to us.

Made by The Doodle People Heritage Game Jam Team:

• Timothi Lim (Timothi Ellim)
• Elizabeth Tan
• Bing Heng Low
• Pei Wen Liao

Made during the Heritage Game Jam. Total time spent, 27 Hours

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What is this game about?

In TINY HOPES, you play as Eliza, a budding visual artist who aspires to turn her passion for visual art into a full-time job. However, as you'll find in the game's message log, not everyone is supportive of her dreams, especially her own mother. Help Eliza garner enough hope to break free from the shackles of doubt and pursue her passion full-time!

In this game, you'll...

• Explore Eliza's Computer (it's ok to look at her messages)
• Draw with the PAINTER app on the computer
• Post your drawing to ARTYGRAM
• Refresh ARTYGRAM continuously in the hopes of building your audience and getting wholesome comments to keep your hopes up!

Note:

The game saves your drawings! If you'd like to retrieve it, it's available in TINY HOPES_Data > Streaming Assets

What were you inspired by?  

We were mainly inspired by people who make up our support network, those who believe in us regardless of the circumstances. Mainly our family and close friends. We were also inspired by a lot of wholesome games like Virtual Cottage and Kind Words as they involve a home where even if you as the player are alone in it, it feels warm and filled with wholesome emotions. Lofi was definitely another media we were inspired by, it helps those who listen to it help feel calm while staying focused, getting us into the great mindset we desire.  

What sort of experience/message are you hoping your game will bring across to the player?  

 Everything will be alright. We wanted to empathize and touch on something unseen but surprisingly quite common which is the eerie unsettling and suffocating loneliness because of the current pandemic where people, especially of those who are exposed to Covid 19 and have to self-isolate. The unconscious feeling that you are stuck in that small room indefinitely makes it feel that there’s no hope in that moment.  

But family, friends, or even yourself can be sources of happiness during this turbulent time. The everyday heroes can be those who bring cheer in what little ways they can, and receive cheer themselves in turn.  Art is one of the ways this positivity can be spread – looking through wonderful pieces online that inspire others to create and be creative. In turn, the artist receives affirmation and encouragement from those who take the time to admire their artwork, creating a small community of positivity and inspiration to pursue dreams in art and creating a better, beautiful digital world. 

Why did you end up choosing this direction for your game? 

With the theme of ‘everyday heroes’, many would immediately bring to attention groups such as frontline workers, cleaners, delivery drivers, and other types of people we often take for granted. We wanted to bring out something less common and more personal to highlight how everyday heroes can even be those who impact us in subtle ways, and how creative expression can be a catalyst to bring hope during harsh times.

Creative Director Notes - Timothi Ellim:

TINY HOPES is modeled after our game jam team's own struggles with selecting a creative arts field as our full-time job after graduating or when transitioning jobs. This is what we love to do on a daily basis. This is why we wake up. Yet, even when we have found our 'why', our daily motive, we still face prejudice from our communities.  In Singapore, where practicality and logic are prized, it seems that high-paying jobs that work you to the bone and a job that you 30% love is the 'right thing' to do. Time and time again,  I find that most fresh grads are uncertain and not hopeful about their future. These graduates are the future of our nation, we need to do better for them and cultivate an environment that allows us to play, fail, and most importantly, aspire to be our best selves.