Calypsoeian Archives

Artist Statement

The game is a fantasy survival story set within a mysterious library called the “Calypsoeian Archives”. Strangers, who had come to the library in search of answers, find themselves trapped in this maze of a library. The only way out is to fight for your survival. This ragtag group of strangers must work together and defeat the monsters lurking in between the shelves of the library, to gain the answer to their questions and to leave the library in one piece. \

I have long wanted to create a story incorporating my love for mythology, magic, and libraries, and this table-top role-play game was the perfect medium for it. Before this course, my knowledge of TTRPGs was limited to Dungeons and Dragons, but after exploring a variety of games, I realized that this genre allows for a lot of freedom in terms of controlling the narrative. Furthermore, it allows for collaborative storytellings, which is a fascinating concept to me and also relates to discussions in my other classes about oral storytelling. The diverse mechanics and the collaborative nature of the games allow for a very different and interesting storytelling experience.

Additionally, I have always been fascinated by fantasy literature and the atmosphere of old libraries. These spaces have long been portrayed as repositories of hidden knowledge and adventure, making them the perfect setting for a survival horror game. This project gave me an opportunity to combine all of these passions into a cohesive experience.

In developing the game, I  focused on drawing from elements in my Magpie book. My love of Greek and Indian myth, paired with my love for English literature, served as the main inspirations for the game. A nearby library that I frequent was what inspired the setting of the Calypsoeian Archives. Additionally, the reflection of Banned Together, a game set in a library, was what sparked the initial idea for this project.

The game explores several themes, including survival, mystery, and the pursuit of forbidden knowledge. These themes are supported by deliberate choices in visual design. I incorporated classical Greek graphic elements to evoke the grandeur and mystique of old libraries. The colour palette of purple and gold adds to the magical atmosphere, and is evocative of the rich colours typically associated with myth and royalty. Meanwhile the text formatting resembles a scroll, reinforcing the aesthetics of Greek mythology and the library. An old, torn map serves as a helps the players in visualizing the setting and plan their strategies. All the halls are named after Greek mythological figures, firmly grounding the game within the mythological framework. 

For devloping mechanics, I drew inspiration from “Dread”, which uses a Jenga tower as a tool for decision-making. This approach inspired me to develop my own mechanic using playing cards. In my game, the cards determine whether the strategies of the characters are successful or not, introducing an element of chance that mirrors the unpredictability of the players survival within the library. Despite my initial hesitation, I also ended up incorporating tokens into the game. They were a useful tool to ensure engagements and to encourage the players to strategize and take action to progress through the story. The story format is a discrete one, with the end goal being specified within the game. I noticed that the games are much more comprehensible and easy to navigate when the players have a specific ending to work towards rather than aimlessly trying to figure out an appropriate ending.

Ultimately, I hope players walk away from having experienced an immersive storytelling experience and a sense of competition. The game is designed to foster collaboration while challenging players to strategize and make decisions that impact the overarching story. I want players to feel a mix of tension, suspense, and accomplishment while navigating the shadowy corners of the mysterious Calypsoeian Archives.