Developer:

Website:

chrislu.itch.io

Press / Business Contact:

chris@cluentertainment.com

Social:

twitter.com/PleaseWakeUpDev

Description

“Please Wake Up” is a metafictional memory horror game that will hack your brain. The game uses psychological techniques and illusions to present many horrifying truths about the nature of memory, perception, and reality. Notably, it features an illusion that can alter your vision for up to 2.8 months.

Background

Most horror games present the player with a fictional scare, oftentimes of creatures or gore. However, there is very real horror in our everyday lives that is completely under-explored. For example, research has shown that human memory is extremely unreliable, which leads many people to unknowingly construct false identities and narratives about themselves. Furthermore, we've discovered that our perception of reality is mostly 'hallucinated' by our brains -- not the outside world.

Every part of the game ties into this theme. Not only is real psychology and neuroscience research presented, but many other game features help drive home the effect. This includes the gameplay, which is simple and accessible -- but also engaging. Objects will change when you're not looking at them and it's your job to point out the changes. Players end up questioning the reliability and accuracy their own memory and perception. Furthermore, the game uses a number of psychological techniques to highlight the point even more. This includes the implantation of False Memories and the Mandela Effect. Another technique used is the McCollough Effect, which is a visual illusion that can have a minor effect on vision for up to 2.8 months (players can turn this off in the settings).

All of this culminates and ties into a metafictional narrative that implies that the "reality" and "self" we experience aren't necessarily even real or accurate -- we just assume they are.