The In-Between
concept art for a visual novel game, where the player, who is an insomniac, is trying to go to sleep, but cannot, and thus falls into the cracks between the waking and dreaming worlds. the player must traverse this strange land called the In-Between, guided by the tour guide to go back to their own world.
the verandah of indecision: should you stay inside the beautiful room,
or should you go out to look at the haunting bioluminescent flowers?
the elevator of uncertainty: the buttons are all marked with '?'...
which floor will you end up on?
the atrium of déjà vu: keep climbing the staircase, huh? are you climbing down?
you have done this before... have you not?
the corridor of potential opportunities: what could you have become if things
had been different, if you had chosen differently? what could happen if you choose
to take a look now?
the zebra-crossing of limbo: will these ghostly cars hit you if you cross?
what will happen if you get hit?
the waiting room of impending doom: how and when does the world end?
what does it have to do with you? when will the judgment be announced?
the bridge of dreams you can almost remember: what happens if you fall off?
where will you go?
***
High up on the bridge of dreams you can almost remember, you are faced with turbulent winds and flying goldfish. You try to keep your balance, but cannot, and are pushed off the bridge. You fall, and fall further, your life flashing before your eyes. You see the mountainous ground approaching and brace yourself for impact, only to open your eyes and wake up on your bed.
***
The End
The Tour Guide
The tour guide is an entity that resides in the In-Between and guides you through the realm. He is inspired by the concept of a psychopomp, a spirit guide. I took inspiration from deities belonging to different mythologies, such as the Egyptian god Anubis, who guides the dead through the Underworld, and Hecate, the Greek goddess of liminal spaces. Below are some character design explorations, chock-full of symbols related to liminality, making choices and dreams.
