Hello Adventurers! Welcome to another post in the Discover The End of The Sun series! This time, wed like to give you a glimpse into the narrative background and the early development of the game. Well share how it all began, what inspired us, and which elements of Slavic culture youll encounter while playing. This is a detailed post that well divide into two partstoday is part one, and the second will follow next week! Enjoy the read, adventurers! And dont miss the brand-new screenshots hidden in the text!

The Beginning of an Adventure with Slavic Myths

When we first started brainstorming for The End of The Sun, one of our earliest inspirations was the idea of tying the four seasons to the stages of human life. Jakub came up with the concept that the changing seasons could symbolize the fleeting nature of life, with each season representing a key phase: - Spring: A time of rebirth and childhood, full of new beginnings. - Summer: The peak of lifeyouth, energy, and vibrancy. - Autumn: A reflective middle age, marked by a mix of maturity and a hint of melancholy. - Winter: The calm and stillness of old age, lifes final chapter. This idea became the backbone of our game, influencing not just the story but also the mood, visuals, and emotional weight we wanted to convey.

Bringing the World to Life with Photogrammetry

The next big question was: how do we bring this vision to life? Thats when we turned to photogrammetrya technique that let us capture the incredible details of real-world objects and landscapes. As we explored local landmarks and cultural gems, it hit us how much potential there was in showcasing our regional heritage, something thats often overlooked in mediaespecially in video games. From this, the idea grew to celebrate the depth of Slavic culture, its legends, and age-old traditions. Even if some of these stories are now only faint echoes, theyre still worth preserving and bringing to light.

Building Worlds with Museums and Myths

To bring authenticity to The End of The Sun, we teamed up with local ethnographic museums, like the Open-Air Museum of Pogrzaska Village in Szymbark and the Grociarnia in Jastrzbia. These collaborations gave us access to an incredible collection of historically significant artifacts and architecture. Here are just a few highlights we brought to life in the game: - The Painted Village of Zalipie: Famous for its vibrant floral art, we scanned its unique patterns to add color and charm to the game world. - The Petrified City in Cikowice: A nature reserve with striking natural rock formations that inspired dramatic landscapes, including the iconic "Witch Rock." - Gallery of Bobbin Lace in Bobowa: Intricate lace designs from this gallery added rich, subtle details to our environments. - Smaller treasures: Items like carved beehives, ruined arcades, and folk sculptures helped ground the world in authenticity.

The Resurrection of Slavic Myths

Exploring Slavic mythology was a mix of inspiration and puzzle-solving. Unlike Greek or Norse myths, theres no single Slavic canon, as these stories were passed down orally and vary by region. This fragmented tradition gave us a tapestry of legends to work with and weave into our narrative. We created an original storyline inspired by Slavic myths, featuring fascinating elements like: - Rarog: A fiery bird that brings good fortuneor grants wishes if its egg hatches. - Fern Flower: A mythical bloom said to offer wisdom and power to those who find it. - Slavic Deities: Gods like Svetovid, Svarog, Veles, Mohosh and Morana(Marzanna) appear in subtle yet meaningful ways. - The Tree of Life: A central motif symbolizing the link between the living and the afterlife. - Mystical beings like: will o' the wisps, household spirits, drowners (drowning spirits), samodiva (forest nymph), mare (demon that torments sleeping people) and leshy (forest guardians) add intrigue and mystery.

Reviving Slavic Traditions

Each mission in the game is tied to a real Slavic festival or ritual, blending history and mythology seamlessly. Players will experience: - Revival Festival (Jare Gody): A spring festival of rebirth related with the end of winter and the welcome of spring , featuring painted eggs, cleansing rituals, and protective charms. - Kupala Night: Midsummer magic with bonfires, dances, and floating flower wreaths on the water, related with summer solstice - Forefathers Eve (Dziady): A solemn time to honor ancestors with offerings and rituals. - Koliada (Szczodre Gody): A celebration related to the winter solstice, with decorated homes and the symbolic didukh (first sheaf from the harvest symbolizing the souls of the ancestors).

A Narrative That Lets You Wander

We wanted the story to feel as free-flowing as the myths that inspired it. Players can explore at their own pace, piecing together the narrative in their own way. The tale spans four seasons, each representing a distinct phase of the protagonists' lives, separated by decades. To immerse players even further, dynamic weather and changing environments reflect the passage of time. With The End of The Sun, we hope to take players on a deeply personal journey, steeped in culture, myth, and the beauty of Slavic heritage. Its an invitation to explore, uncover, and connect with stories that still resonate through time.

Check out our earlier dev Update:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/912840/view/4456967897002016852

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Thanks for all your ongoing support! The End of the Sun Team

[ 2024-11-28 19:03:46 CET ] [ Original post ]