Otherlings
A downloadable game
Otherlings is a game that explores the non-binary experience through analogy. This game takes a broad, philosophical view of what “non-binary” can mean: outside of binaries, not trapped by false dichotomies, un-constrained by dualistic thinking. In any situation where someone says, “you must be this, or that”, there could always be a third option. Often, there’s a fourth, fifth, and still more. Embracing a non-binary experience in our minds can help us embrace the complexity of the world, rather than trying to force it to be simple.
The game is set in Alteria, a temporary waiting area for beings whose friends and family never knew or understood some important part(s) of them. It appears as a plain white conference room with tables and chairs, whose windows overlook the interior of a train station. Once in a while, beautiful and distant voices can be heard singing. There’s also a door to the train station, but it won’t open until the end of the game.
Souls who come to Alteria cannot move on to their next phase of existence, until another soul accepts and names who and what they are. Like ghosts, otherlings have a deep need to resolve some of the unfinished business from their former lives. Whoever runs this place has only left you a cryptic sign, suggesting that getting to know each other will help speed things along. Once some of everyone’s truth is revealed, you can all move on to another afterlife, reincarnation, or eternal slumber. Somewhere, unlike here, where you can find a new home.
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I'm blind it took me 2 years to learn how to use my devices independently. I love gaming but often there's not any or many accessible games I can find and play. I was just wondering since it doesn't say anywhere if there's accessibility options on the game after you download it? 100% OK if there's not but I just wanted to ask before downloading. Even if it's not accessible I'll look for a let's play of it on YouTube so I can experience it that way as well. The game sounds amazing and I definitely do want to play or experience it in some way. Please reply when you can. Thank You!
This is an analog game that is designed to be played in person or via Discord. The download is a PDF that you should be able to use with any screen reading software that supports pdfs. If you have any trouble, I should be able to edit the options on the file and re-upload it.
Thank you so much! I definitely will take a look and let you know if the PDF is screen reader accessible. I appreciate you replying. It helps a lot.
No problem at all. I'm pretty new to the site and I really appreciate your interest. One of my other games has been downloaded a lot more, but I think this one has generated the most comments and that's pretty interesting. It tells me something about what kind of games I should make more of... But what, exactly?
This is my first game specifically written to not be fun. At all. It's written too be frustrating, upsetting, possibly excruciating for some people. Maybe the point is that I should do more serious games. Already working on one in the new transformative role-playing game design program at Uppsala University. It uses a dyimg bear and her soon-to-be-orphaned cub to try to build empathy for animals, stereotyped people, and the terminally ill. That one's going to need a lot more testing before I let kids anywhere near it.
What is it that made you excited to read this game? That would probably be helpful to know.
I'm non-binary so I looked for games tagged in non-binary. This game peaked my interest because it was unlike any game I found. It seems to have a rather philosophical take and I've never seen that in any game. Especially, one about the non-binary experience. The summary peaked my interest because it talks about embracing the complexities of life. And that it's set in a room. A simple conference room where misunderstood people sit who have never fully felt that all part(s) of who they are can be embraced, accepted, cherished, understood. It even says that no one can move on until they're named and accepted for who they are. It's also interesting that you get a cryptid message from someone saying that getting to know who the person is, will be the key to everyone moving on. To a hypothetical paradise or afterlife. It seems to be individualized which I find fascinating because that raises many interesting questions. such as: Is this due to free will?, is it because we don't know what we want?, Do we truly know what we want all along and have to discover it?, How does one actually fairly assess who gets into a paradise without violating ethics of excluding or judging others?. The nature of this game to explore the non-binary experience is what brought me to it, but the concept and what it's about kept me here. Well that and the fact it's accessible lol. Honestly This is only a few reasons I think I'll enjoy the game. What made you want to make a game showing the non-binary experience in this way? How did you think of this idea? I'm rather intrigued because it's not something people think of everyday. As always I do appreciate you keeping accessibility in mind. Most people never even consider it.
Such a cool idea! I think it'll be really good at evoking the feeling you're going for
Thank you! I just hope it isn't too upsetting for people to want to play it
Such a neat concept & something I wish was a book so I could take it with me & read more of!
You wish it was a book? I'm not sure there's enough material, but maybe I could do a short story based on this game...