Current Version: Version 2.4 (5.26.19)
(Regretfully, the twine file has grown too large to host through Squarespace directly, so here’s a handy download! One day in the future, I will figure out how to get it hosted on-site again, but for now this will have to do.)
Artist’s Statement
Initially, Dormiveglia was a way for me to put multiple ideas (a dreamscape, a time loop, various stories I’ve been working on) together into a single, somewhat cohesive project. Along the way it became something of an introspective piece that invites the player to connect with the creator, as well as think about and perhaps conceptualize the state of their (or ‘anyone’s’) emotions, memories, and growth. The game is centered around the themes of understanding, loneliness, the ability to be kind to others even when you yourself are struggling, and perhaps a little bit the joy of making friends even when you don’t expect to. All things that I try to either achieve or survive in my own life.
And of course, it’s also a little bit of a self-centered personal introduction - I always enjoy telling people about the stories I write, and Dormiveglia allows the player to visit many of them and meet some of the characters who are very near and dear to my heart. As with most things I write, there is also an aspect of self-exploration and introspection, in that writing scenes based on my stories, memories, and dreams allows me a new avenue to personally examine how I think and feel. Writing this game-story has been a fascinating experience, for certain.
-M.R.
A screenshot of the story file in Twine, showing the size. This is just over 500 passages according to the program, which doesn’t sound right but I don’t know enough about Twine to argue against it. Dormiveglia’s word count, in-text code included, is just over 30 thousand words.
A painted background for the main setting of Dormiveglia, casually dubbed ‘the Cave between Worlds’ (after the similar setting in The Magician’s Nephew, that acted as an inspiration). (Once I have character portraits created, those will be hosted on this page as well.)