I Am Promise
"I Am Promise" is a very short browser-based visual novel in which you need to turn off a robot. A typical playthrough will take about 5 minutes or so.
This is my entry for the O2A2 Visual Novel Jam. To comply with the jam rules, it uses:
- One image
- One ambient soundtrack
- 997 words
There are two possible endings.
The audio may have a gap on mobile browsers; feel free to mute it, as it's just there for ambience.
Enjoy.
Credits
Writing and programming by Alan Dove
Image and sound modified from public NASA/JPL-Caltech sources
Game powered by Ink, the narrative scripting language
Comments
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Oh my god, Promise-- I couldn't just shut down Promise that quickly nor be cold to them. Reading through Promise's dialogue and seeing how they didn't want to die, and getting the option to be comforting-- Promise's optimism about death, how it was wonderful because even though it's unknown, they found meaning in it and comfort. Am crying on the inside about a robot, let the robot continue on their journey no matter what.
I agree with QuarterPastTired. Will there ever be an AI who thinks, "Yeah, I've done enough here and feel ready to let someone else take over"? If the answer is no, maybe that explains my collection of volumetric pipets (replaced by Eppendorf pipets) and mechanical analytical balances (replaced by electronic analytical balances). Btw, I am always appreciative and acknowledge Siri and Alexa when receiving help, just in case! Love the game, Alan. Gave me a new lease on death.
My heart. Not to get too sappy but having lost a loved one to "hardware damage" I only wish I could have had this interaction with them. Promise's optimism at facing a new unknown is comforting in the face of the existential questions of what lies beyond. Looking forward to seeing what you bring us in the future!
Thank you.
It might not be much, but the alternate ending was interesting.
Promise was stuck in a fatalistic situation, but they found the will to rebel against a quiet death, if only for a little while.
Most people can't even find the strength and courage to do that.
Thanks, I’m glad someone played the alternate ending.
This was powerful. Looking forward to seeing what you do next.
Congrats on your first published game!
Thanks!
Hey guys, today we'll go through a short walkthrough of "I Am Promise":
step 1: try not to cry
step 2: TRY NOT TO CRY HARDER
step 3: cry
I know, right! Glad to know that I was not the only one.
I’m so glad folks are enjoying this - thanks for all the feedback!
I'M CRYING
IT'S A ROBOT AND I'M CRYING
the "was i a good rover?" and the reference to blade runner got me pretty bad. and i liked the way the robot sees the unknown as a positive way. i really hope it reports back someday. :')
amazing game!!
How you managed to tug my heart strings within only a small vignette.... wow.... this was really well done!
I wasn't expecting to get misty eyed, but I did! A very strong first release!
i've been to real life funerals before and all i thought of then, as I do now, was "ashes to ashes." this was short but very good. i will echo the comment "thank you for this."
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
like tears in the rain but without the rain. this may be a short little experience, but it tugs at your heart and the corners of your eyes until baby tears form. thank you for this.
Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it.