SLUURM: Cultures and Communications in Video Game Spaces

TVideo game spaces are evolving locales for social interaction that are providing unique new experiences for millions of new players. The social groups formed within these spaces are built from the ground up and are constantly developing and changing. Video game spaces are rapidly becoming important new forums for social interaction and cultural evolution. Involving oneself with video game spaces can benefit our understanding of developing cultural norms and modes of communication. Within video game spaces there are strange new worlds and societies waiting to be discovered.

SLUURM The Game

SLUURM is a multiplayer role-playing game which guides a group of four players through a unique narrative. Focusing on player interaction, SLUURM was created to help people communicate and socialize while quarantining. SLUURM was built via the game making tool Twine in combination with HTML, Javascript & CSS code.

SLUURM The Beginning

Four players begin their journey of SLUURM as a typical band of adventurers seeking treasure and glory. However, the world of SLUURM can be quite strange and the player’s ultimate fate may not be a heroic one.

SLUURM The Instructions

Although players may choose themselves how to cooperatively play through SLUURM, some useful guidelines facilitate group cohesion and game immersion. Completion of SLUURM requires player communication and teamwork.

SLUURM The Journey

Players in SLUURM visit numerous locales, both lovely and absurd throughout their journey. The pixelated aesthetics of SLUURM borrow inspiration from early 90s text based video games; which are a source of nostalgia for SLUURM’s target audience.

SLUURM The Narrative

In order to successfully complete a playthrough of SLUURM, players must engage in dialogue with a variety of odd characters. Deciding as a team how to respond in each situation is part of the fun.

SLUURM The Fight

There are numerous strange and wild creatures in SLUURM which players must work together to combat. Cooperation, and a bit of luck, can help players defeat any villains they may encounter.

SLUURM The Absurd

SLUURM may start off innocent enough, but players soon find themselves progressing through a strange and sometimes absurd narrative tale. Experiencing this bizarreness as a group is part of what facilitates player interaction in SLUURM.

SLUURM The Madness

A short odd cutscene which players have the chance to stumble upon later on in a playthrough of SLUURM. Shifts in visual and narrative form help SLUURM communicate a variety of surreal concepts to its players.