Siz Wang

Narrative Design

Personal & Game Jam Projects

Aily & Anna

A Visual Novel Game by Siz Wang

“Aily & Anna” is a coming-of-age visual novel. In this adventure, two unlikely heroines struggle to survive the uncertainties of their lives and strive to live their dreams in the City of Strays.

At first glance, Aily and Anna are quite the opposites. Aily is a cat, but Anna is a dog. Aily works as a reporter, faithfully writing about the facts of life. Anna is an aspiring novelist who reveals the truth in fiction. Aily is an orphan who never had a family. Anna comes from a proud, pure-blood, aristocratic family but is disowned to cover up a secret.

Their mutual need to find someone to trust and somewhere to call home brings them under the same roof. This game invites you to participate in their journey of finding self-acceptance.

Aily never thought that she would be roommates with a dog.

In fact, she never thought she would ever have a roommate.

Anna never thought that she would actually get kicked out of her family.

In fact, she never thought getting abandoned was a real thing.

For those who do not have a place to call home.

Akinned

Team Project · Ludum Dare 56 · Roles: Narrative Designer & Character Designer

A replayable choices matter & story-driven
role-playing game.

Have you ever wondered what would happen after you are dead? Would your consciousness dissipate into the void? If so, how is that experience? Well, you would never know unless you have died at least once. “Akinned” is our take on this fun philosophical thought experiment. Get to know your soul before you formally enter the afterlife. Though you’ve never met your soul and never died before, there’s no need to be scared. Your soul is just a cute-looking tiny animal. A certain individual would also be there to help you navigate the afterlife. In all, welcome to the afterlife! We hope you are ready.

Narrative System

Opening Scene: Player Personality Test

???: Good day. First time meeting you. My name is…

A voice slides into your head. Who is there? Who is talking?

???: Ah! I totally forgot. You can’t see anything yet. It would just take a little more time.

Not a big deal. Just don’t forget that my name is Whoosh.

Whoosh: I am going to ask you some simple questions so we can get to know each other better.

Whoosh: First, I would like to know if you are happy with your life.

Yes! Certainly!
No. Don’t mention it.
I am not sure.

Whoosh: Do you tend to feel lonely?

Always.
No, I spent a lot of time hanging out with friends.
We are all born to be lonely, so…

Whoosh: Are you feeling lonely right now?

Yes.
No.

Whoosh: If you were allowed to choose between having a wish just for yourself and giving a wish to everyone, what would you do?

I’ll keep the wish to myself.
A wish for everyone! Why not? Win-win!
I don’t want to make a choice.

Whoosh: How do you like the idea of death?

I don’t like it.
I wish I could just die.
I am curious about it.

Whoosh: I see. Not a problem at all. Get ready for this final one: do you believe in the afterlife?

Yes.
No.
I am an agnostic.

Whoosh: Good, good. Curious answers. I can’t wait to see… Before you go, I have a gift for you. Consider it a greeting gift, or it may be a parting gift, depending on how you look at it.

Something round and rough slides into your hand. It feels a little warm.

Whoosh: One last thing. You have 72 hours, exactly 72 hours. Congratulations on your death.

Ending/Refresh Scene: The Spirit Guide's Monologue

Whoosh: (Sigh.)

Shhh! Careful. Don’t make any sound. Whoosh is talking to himself.

Whoosh: That last dude was such a pain! We could have finished the prep talk in five minutes if he hadn’t threatened me! How can someone be such a baby when he died at fifty-nine? Humans never ceased to disappoint me.

Whoosh: What I could really use right now is a cup of berry melody milkshake topped with chocolate-flavored whipped cream.

System alert: Associate Afterlife Agent Whoosh, you have a new soul.

Whoosh: And that’s the last thing I need.