Field Work

(align: "=><=")[[FIELD WORK->BEGIN]] (set: $windows = 0) (set: $windowsTotal = 0) (set: $MEMORYCOUNT = 0) (set: $EARTHLAND = 0) (set: $earthSwitch = 0) (set: $plutoSwitch = 0) (set: $fireSwitch = 0) (set: $treesSwitch = 0) (set: $slides = 0)

You are sitting in the grass, staring into the fog ||== LANDSCAPE SEASON TIME RAIN SOUND TEMPERATURE =|||= (color: #a7a7a7) [Forest Spring Morning Light Birds 18 °C] |==| [[STAND UP]]

The sun is peeking through the trees and mist Suddenly you hear a strange clicking sound [[WALK TOWARDS IT]]

<div id="fogtext">You lose your way in the fog</div> (color: #dfdfdf)[You try to follow the sound, but it seems to come from all directions. Walk towards] [[THE SMELL OF WATER->TO THE LEFT]] [[THE SMELL OF GRASS->TO THE RIGHT]]

A pond appears. Two herons are standing in the reeds. You begin to approach. They notice and become silent. The sound is still there but more faint. [[TURN BACK->TO THE RIGHT]]

The clicking is becoming louder. Some form of animal? An insect call? You almost trip over a power cable in the grass. [[PICK IT UP AND FOLLOW IT]]

The cable leads you through the trees, deeper and deeper into the forest. You notice other cables on the ground. They all seem headed in the same direction. [[KEEP GOING]]

A canopy tent emerges from the fog. Inside are several computers. A pair of large speakers is generating the curious sound. Someone is typing at one of the terminals. [[SAY HELLO]] [[SILENTLY APPROACH]]

"Hello" (color: #a9a9a9) ["Just a moment please. I have to finish something."] You see strange images on their screen. While waiting you decide to [[LOOK AROUND]]

You get so close that they must be able to hear you, but they don't stop working. You see strange images on their screen. You decide to [[LOOK AROUND]]

The space resembles a botanist's lab. Stacks of books and papers are everywhere. There are plant samples in clear plastic containers. A microscope sits next to a collection of slides [[EXAMINE SLIDE 01X—B]] [[EXAMINE SLIDE 15A—O]] (set: $slides += 0)

You cautiously sit down at the small desk, nervous about their reaction. They continue typing. You carefully insert the slide into the microscope. [[LOOK]]

You cautiously sit down at the small desk, nervous about their reaction. They continue typing. You carefully insert the slide into the microscope. [[LOOK->LOOK2]]

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="writhing">WRITHING TUBES LIKE GLASS SNAKES THEIR [[INSIDES]] ARE MOVING</div> </div></div> (set: $slides += 1)

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="writhing">A CROSS-SECTION OF A CRYSTAL LABYRINTH [[CHANGE TO 100X MAGNIFICATION]]</div> </div></div> (set: $slides += 1)

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="writhing">IT IS DIGESTING A SPHERE STRUGGLING TO ESCAPE [[CHANGE TO 200X MAGNIFICATION]]</div> </div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="writhing">A FIELD OF SHIFTING RAINBOWS LIKE RUINS OF A STRANGE CITY [[CHANGE TO 400X MAGNIFICATION->400x2]]</div> </div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="writhing">UP CLOSE THE SPHERE IS LIKE AN ALIEN PLANET [[CHANGE TO 400X MAGNIFICATION]]</div> </div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> YOU HEAR THE RAIN INTENSIFYING (if: $slides is 1)[(css: "color: #47a867")[[LOOK AT ANOTHER SLIDE->LOOK2]]](else:)[] [[LOOK AROUND->LOOK AROUND2]] </div></div>

You look up from the microscope. Rain is landing harder on the white tent. Streams of water are running off the edge and into the grass. You look over as if to speak but they appear to be asleep at their computer. [[LISTEN TO THE RAIN]]

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="owl">YOU HEAR AN OWL IN THE DISTANCE (if: $slides is 1)[(css: "color: #47a867")[[LOOK AT ANOTHER SLIDE->LOOK]]](else:)[] [[LOOK AROUND->LOOK AROUND2]]</div> </div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="hypnotic">THE INSIDE OF THE SPHERE [[A HYPNOTIC SHIFTING PATTERN]]</div> </div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"><div id="circletext">[[—_—_—_—_—->INTENSE RAIN]] —_—_—_—_—_—_—_ [[—_—_—_——_—_—_——_—->INTENSE RAIN]] —_—_—_—_—_—_——_—_—_ [[—_—_—_——_—->INTENSE RAIN]] _—_——_—_—_—— [[—_—_—_——_—_—_——->INTENSE RAIN]] —_—_—_——_—_—_——_—_ [[—_—_—_—_—_—_——_—_->INTENSE RAIN]] —_—_—_—_—_—_— [[—_—_—_—_—_->INTENSE RAIN]]</div></div></div>

<div class="microscope"> <div class="circle"> <div id="circOneLine">[[THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE]]</div> </div></div>

(color: #a9a9a9)[HELLO WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THE BOX OF SAMPLES ON THE DESK TO MY COLLABORATOR IN THE CAVE? JUST FOLLOW THE PATH. PLEASE BORROW THE UMBRELLA THANKS] [[LOOK AT THE DESK]]

You see a wooden box of glass microscope slides like the ones you were examining before. You close the lid and [[PICK IT UP]]

You open the umbrella and walk out into the rain with the samples. A raised wooden path snakes through the forest. As you walk, the rain begins to lighten and the sound of birds returns. You start to hear the sound of [[crashing waves]].

You see many windows displaying images ||== WINDOW 1 WINDOW 2 WINDOW 3 WINDOW 4 WINDOW 5 WINDOW 6 WINDOW 7 WINDOW 8 =|||= (color: #a7a7a7) [wetGrass.jpg pinktrees.png microhelix.jpg (if: $windows is 1)[arecibo.tif](else:)[[[arecibo.tif]]] yellowcrystal.jpg pondlife.jpg (if: $windows is 2)[mcmurdo.png](else:)[[[mcmurdo.png]]] milkyway.jpg] |==|

The rocks are smooth, eroded by wind and waves. The surface is full of tidepools. You crouch down and see [[CRABS SLOWLY MOVING]] [[SEA ANEMONES AND A STARFISH]]

The anemones slowly undulate back and forth. The starfish seems to be almost imperceptibly moving. You stand back up, and on the other side of the beach see what must be [[THE CAVE]]

The entrance is large and lets in light from the beach. There is a similar set of tables full of equipment, speakers, and computers. Someone is holding a microphone and silently gestures for you to come closer. [[APPROACH]]

They seem to be recording the sound of your walking. They notice you are holding the box of samples... (color: #a9a9a9)["Oh did they send you?"] [["Sort of"->RESPONSE]] [["What are you doing?"->RESPONSE]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["We're musicians who are collaborating."] "Musicians?" (color: #a9a9a9)["We record the environment in different locations then combine them to make an album."] [["Why the microscope slides?"->RESPONSE2]] [["Oh, I thought you might be scientists..."->RESPONSE2]]

It is now a downpour. ||== TENT TABLES SPEAKERS FOG SKY RAIN PLANTS =|||= (color: #a7a7a7) [White White Black White White Clear Green] |==| [[PUT YOUR HAND INTO THE RAIN]] [[PUT YOUR FOOT INTO THE RAIN]]

You extend your hand outside. Organic tones are coming out of the speakers. Water drips off your hand into the grass [[YOU HEAR INSECT SOUNDS]] [[YOU HEAR BIRD SOUNDS]]

You remove your socks and shoes extend your foot outside. Organic tones are coming out of the speakers. Water drips off your foot into the grass [[YOU HEAR INSECT SOUNDS]] [[YOU HEAR BIRD SOUNDS]]

You're reminded of a greenhouse you visited years ago. Paths weave through the glass domed structure. It is warm and humid. [[TAKE PHOTOS OF THE LILYPADS]]

You're reminded of a greenhouse you visited years ago. Paths weave through the glass domed structure. It is warm and humid. [[WALK UP THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE]]

You ascend into the tropical canopy. Birds chirp and fly between the trees. The sprinkler system is watering some of them. It reminds you of [[BIOSPHERE 2]]

They are giant, with vertical edges like shallow bowls. You hear the low humming of insects in the pond. Water striders glide across the surface. It reminds you of [[BIOSPHERE 2]]

(color: #a9a9a9) [Wikipedia: Biosphere 2] An American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. It is a 3.14 acre structure originally built to be an artificial, materially closed ecological system, or vivarium. It remains the largest closed system ever created. [[EXPLORE BIOSPHERE 2]]

You are a scientist in the Fog Desert biome of Biosphere 2. You are hungry due to the low-calorie diet. But it is so beautiful here... [[WALK TO THE OCEAN]] [[WALK TO THE RAINFOREST]]

You arrive at the enclosed artificial ocean. A high 3D triangular grid of metal and glass separates it from the desert outside. Vacuum pumps simulate small waves. [[WALK TO THE RAINFOREST->RAINFOREST2]]

A raised wooden walkway disappears into the dense trees. You walk into the warm mist. An orange hose in the vegetation runs to some unseen maintenance system. [[WALK TO THE OCEAN->OCEAN2]]

You arrive at the enclosed artificial ocean. A high 3D trianglular grid of metal and glass separates it from the desert outside. Vacuum pumps simulate small waves. [[YOU FEEL A STRONG WIND]]

A raised wooden walkway disappears into the dense trees. You walk into the warm mist. An orange hose in the vegetation runs to some unseen maintenance system. [[YOU FEEL A STRONG WIND]]

You draw back inside the tent. They are now lightly snoring. You quietly walk over to them and [[LOOK AT THEIR SCREEN->LOOK AT THE SCREEN]] (set: $windows += 0) (set: $windowsTotal += 0)

A photo of a massive radio telescope dish sunk in the middle of a forest In 1974 it sent a message to the M13 star cluster. The message included a graphic of DNA, the human figure, and the SOLAR SYSTEM <div id="arecibo"> ■ ■ ■        [[■->earth]] ■ ■ ■  ■  ■     ■  ■  ■  ■  ■  [[■->pluto]] ■ ■ ■              ■  ■  ■  ■                    ■  ■ </div> (set: $windows = 1) (set: $windowsTotal += 1)

A photo of a remote science station in Antarctica [[EXPLORE MCMURDO STATION]] (set: $windows = 2) (set: $windowsTotal += 1) (set: $planetsTotal += 1)

You have arrived at Earth. Land your craft [[NEAR THE OCEAN]] [[IN THE WOODS]] (set: $earthSwitch = 1)

You have arrived at Pluto. It is covered in mountains of ice. They remind you of your homeworld. [[REMEMBER THE ICE LABYRINTHS]] [[REMEMBER THE COLD MORNINGS]] (set: $plutoSwitch = 1)

(set: $EARTHLAND += 1)Many of the beaches are filled with humans. You find one that is isolated and quietly land your ship. This planet is appealing. You decide to eat [[PLANTS GROWN ON FUNERAL SOIL]] [[CHEESE->PLANTS GROWN ON FUNERAL SOIL]]

(set: $EARTHLAND += 1)You silently hover over a group of campers eating around a nighttime bonfire. [[BECOME THE FIRE]] [[BECOME THE TREES]] (set: $fireSwitch = 0) (set: $treesSwitch = 0)

You slow your perception of time. The waves seem almost frozen in place. Seagulls hang in mid-air. Palm fronds seem strangely still. You finish eating and [[RETURN TO SPACE->RETURN TO YOUR SHIP]] (if: $EARTHLAND is 1)[[[LAND NEAR THE OCEAN->IN THE WOODS]]](else:)[]

(if: $earthSwitch is 1 and $plutoSwitch is 1)[<div id="thunder">[[THE SOUND OF THUNDER]]</div>](else:)[SOLAR SYSTEM <div id="arecibo"> ■ ■ ■        [[■->earth]] ■ ■ ■  ■  ■     ■  ■  ■  ■  ■  [[■->pluto]] ■ ■ ■              ■  ■  ■  ■                    ■  ■ </div> ]

(set: $fireSwitch = 1)You are the fire. They put their food into you and you help them cook it. It feels nice to help them.  [[RETURN TO SPACE->RETURN TO YOUR SHIP]] (if: $EARTHLAND is 1)[[[LAND NEAR THE OCEAN->NEAR THE OCEAN]]](else:)[]

(set: $treesSwitch = 1)You are the trees. The squirrels inside of you are nervous because of the fire. You gently sway back and forth to calm them down.  [[RETURN TO SPACE->RETURN TO YOUR SHIP]] (if: $EARTHLAND is 1)[[[LAND NEAR THE OCEAN->NEAR THE OCEAN]]](else:)[]

(align: "=><=")[[PROPOSAL->prop1]]

I am developing a free online narrative game made with [[OPEN-SOURCE TOOLS]] [[EXPENSIVE SOFTWARE]]

It will be available to [[ANYONE WHO CAN AFFORD IT]] [[ANYONE FOR FREE]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Online games usually value [[EXPANDING THE IMAGINATION]] [[PHENOMENOLOGY]] [[LIVED EXPERIENCE]] [[MEMORY]] [[MONEY + VIOLENCE->poetics]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

This text-based experience will let you explore [[MICROSCOPY]] [[BIOSPHERE 2]] [[MCMURDO ANTARCTIC STATION]] [[RADIO ASTRONOMY]] [[ALL OF THE ABOVE]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

It will be distributed on an independent gaming site. Free games help people stay indoors and safe. It will be available on [[DESKTOP COMPUTERS & SMARTPHONES]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

It will be available on desktop computers and smartphones.

This work will explore the poetics of lived experience. Players can make choices that shape the narrative. [[FOR EXAMPLE...->MONEY + VIOLENCE]]

(align: "=><=")[[THANK YOU]]

I first saw the ice labyrinths from a carriage I was sharing with my mothers. From a distance they looked harmless. It was hard to imagine that almost anyone that entered never escaped. [[REVEAL THEIR SECRET]] (set: $MEMORYCOUNT += 1)

(set: $MEMORYCOUNT += 1)A heart beating through my ear against the pillow like footsteps through snow [[THE MEMORY FADES->RETURN TO YOUR SHIP]]

They are not a trap, but a place of contemplation. The Ice labyrinths allow uninterrupted meditation for eons as a reward for those able to find the center. Arecibo scientists dream about this but forget when they wake up. [[THE MEMORY FADES->RETURN TO YOUR SHIP]]

It is night and many of the researchers are sleeping. A freezing wind howls outside. [[GO TO THE COFFEE HOUSE]] [[GO TO YOUR ROOM AND READ]]

The interior is dark and wooden, lit by string lights and a few lamps. A crowd has arrived to see the experimental theremin performance. They settle into silence as you take the stage. [[IT BEGINS]]

You are a researcher that works with seals. [[TURN ON THE THEREMIN]] [[PRESS PLAY ON THE TAPE MACHINE]]

An underwater recording of Weddell seals begins to play. The sound is otherworldly and reminds you of a synthesizer. [[TURN ON THE THEREMIN->THEREMIN2]]

Two metal antennas extend from a wooden case on a pedestal. You press the power switch and make small adjustments to some of the knobs on the front of the device. You begin moving your hands through the air and a ghostly melody fills the space. [[PRESS PLAY ON THE TAPE MACHINE->TAPEMACHINE2]]

<div id="eyesclosed"><span>You are responding to the sounds of the seals, making a duet. The pure tones, like sine waves, weave in and out of each other. It's hard to know which are natural and which are electronic The strange sounds fill the dark space. [[YOU FEEL A STRONG WIND->YOU FEEL A STRONG WIND2]]</span></div>

A underwater recording of Weddell seals begins to play. The sound is otherworldly and reminds you of a synthesizer. [[YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES]]

You are back in the white tent in the forest. The rain is now torrential. The snoring of the sleeper has intensified. (if: $windowsTotal is 1)[[[LOOK AT THE SCREEN]]](else:)[[[YOU NOTICE A NOTE TAPED TO THEIR MONITOR->READ IT]]]

(color: #a9a9a9) [Wikipedia: James Weddell] Weddell returned north and sheltered at South Georgia, where he and his crews searched for the elusive seal. They wintered at the Falklands and sailed again for the South Shetlands in November 1823. [[GO TO THE COFFEE HOUSE]]

Soon you clear the trees and find yourself on an empty beach. Black rocks rise out of the sand. [[CLIMB THE ROCKS]]

The crab has a beautiful pattern on its shell. You lean in to get a closer look, but it senses your presence and darts beneath a rock. You stand back up, and on the other side of the beach see what must be [[THE CAVE]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["We record the environment at different scales. They were collecting microscopic samples. I have software that can convert the samples into sounds."] "Are you collecting the larger sounds?" (color: #a9a9a9)["Yes. It doesn't get much larger than the ocean."] [["They asked me to bring this."->RESPONSE3]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["Thank you! Interesting. Normally they bring it."] "Oh I see. Well, they were asleep." (color: #a9a9a9)["A nice rain will do that...hey will you do something for me before you go?"] [["Sure"->RESPONSE4]] [["What is it..."->RESPONSE4]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["I have some scuba gear and I'd like to do some underwater recording. Would you mind waiting here and watching the equipment for a moment?"] [[AGREE->RESPONSE5]] [[AGREE A BIT RELUCTANTLY->RESPONSE5b]]

<div id="sampler">■ ■ [[■->soundA]] ■ [[■->soundB]] ■ ■ ■ ■ [[■->soundC]] ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ [[■->soundD]] </div><div id="samplerOnOff">(color: #000000)[ON    [[OFF]]]</div>

(align: "=><=")[[THE END->CREDITS]]

(align: "=><=")[[BY CARL BURTON->RESTART]]

(align: "=><=")[[RESTART->Description]] (align: "=><=")[<a href="https://carlburton.itch.io/"; target="_blank">MY OTHER GAMES</a>] (set: $windows = 0) (set: $windowsTotal = 0) (set: $MEMORYCOUNT = 0) (set: $EARTHLAND = 0) (set: $earthSwitch = 0) (set: $plutoSwitch = 0) (set: $fireSwitch = 0) (set: $treesSwitch = 0) (set: $slides = 0)

You are back in the white tent in the forest. The rain is very loud. (if: $windowsTotal is 1)[[[LOOK AT THE SCREEN]]](else:)[[[YOU NOTICE A NOTE TAPED TO THEIR MONITOR->READ IT]]]

<div id="eyesclosed"> ||== CAVE WAVES SEAGULLS COMPUTERS RAIN SPEAKERS YOU =|||= (color: #a7a7a7) [Echoing Crashing Squawking Whirring Dripping Humming Breathing] |==| [[OPEN YOUR EYES]] </div>

FILENAME [[WLKNG—C.wav->soundAdes]] WAVEFORM [[╽│╻╷╵╽╿|┃│╻╻╷╽╿|╻╷╵╽╿|┃│╻╻->soundAdes]] MUTE: OFF MIDI: OFF TSIG: 4/4 LOOP: ON

FILENAME [[FOG—H—B.wav->soundBdes]] WAVEFORM [[╻╻|┃╽╻╷╵╽││││││╽╿╽╿╽╿╻╻╽╿│╻╻->soundBdes]] MUTE: OFF MIDI: OFF TSIG: 4/4 LOOP: ON

FILENAME [[DOCK—F.wav->soundCdes]] WAVEFORM [[╽│╻╷╻╽╻╽╻╽╻╽╻╷╽╻╻╷╽╷->soundCdes]] MUTE: OFF MIDI: OFF TSIG: 4/4 LOOP: ON

FILENAME [[FEEDING—G.wav->soundDdes]] WAVEFORM [[╽|┃|┃│╻╷╵╽╿╻╷┃│╻╷╵╽╿╷╵|┃│->soundDdes]] MUTE: OFF MIDI: OFF TSIG: 4/4 LOOP: ON

After the walk to the beach you are a bit tired. You walk over to some of the larger rocks and sit down to rest for a moment. The cave has a calming atmosphere and you notice the salty smell of brine mixing with the seaweed. [[CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LISTEN->EYESCLOSED]]

You walk over to one of the tables filled with equipment. There are various electronic music instruments, computers, and wires running everywhere. You notice a [[SAMPLER]]

<div id="samplerdes">[[SOFT FOOSTEPS WALKING THROUGH THE SAND IN THE EARLY MORNING RHYTHMIC YET IRREGULAR THE SOUND OF THE SURF IN THE BACKGROUND->SAMPLER]] </div>

<div id="samplerdes">[[A LIGHT WIND AND THEN SUDDENLY A MOURNFUL FOGHORN SOUNDS IN THE DISTANCE MIXING WITH THE NIGHT BUOY BELLS->SAMPLER]] </div>

<div id="samplerdes">[[WOOD CREAKS AS WATER LAPS AGAINST THE DOCK MOORED BOATS BUMPING AGAINST POSTS A STRONG WIND AND THE SOUND OF AN APPROACHING STORM->SAMPLER]] </div>

<div id="samplerdes">[[LOUD SEAGULLS A MICROPHONE HIDDEN WITHIN FOOD THEY FIGHT FOR THE FOOD SQUAWKING TRYING TO GET THE FOOD WINGS BEATING AGGRESSIVE SHUFFLING->SAMPLER]] </div>

FIELD WORK A meeting in a forest ||== STYLE PLATFORM DURATION BY =|||= (color: #a7a7a7) [Text Browser 10-15 min Carl Burton] |==| [[CLICK TO PLAY->Title]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["Thanks! I'll be back soon"] They suit up and walk out into the waves holding a special kind of microphone. [[YOU ARE ALONE IN THE CAVE]]

(color: #a9a9a9)["Don't worry! I'll be back soon"] They suit up and walk out into the waves holding a special kind of microphone. [[YOU ARE ALONE IN THE CAVE]]