Systemic Electricity | Esoteric Instinct
5Esoteric Instinct is a magic-based multiplayer co-op with characters based on the constellations of the zodiac. Each of the 12 playable characters -- following a traumatic or other initiatory event -- awakens to a spiritual plane of reality transcending time, connecting with their spiritual kin from across different places and ages of the Earth. Here the characters enter a celestial simulation designed to test and grow the strength of their spirit while learning to cooperate and work with the values, strengths, and weaknesses of the other zodiacs and the values they each represent. Players incarnate into a world existing in the interstice of mind and matter, and face off with manifestations of their demons and attempt to reach and cross the threshold at the centre. Gameplay is third-person with multiple game modes including co-op roguelike and a player-versus-player practice arena.
Esoteric Instinct playlist: • Esoteric Instinct
//// Gameplay & Game Design ////
Esoteric Instinct draws from a range of inspirations regarding its magic system including:
The bending and elemental systems of ATLA (including subtypes such as mud, lava, smoke, ice, steam, lighting, etc.)
Nen system of HxH (object transmutation, manipulation, emission, conjuration, enhancement, specialization.)
The interconnected chemistry system of BOTW (wood, metal, stone, and interactions between them including burning, electric charge, physics destruction, physics object manipulation, etc.)
The unhinged ability scaling of Risk of Rain 2
This project takes somewhat of a first-principles and systemic approach to its ability systems. For example, spells aren't simple blueprint events that fire on input, but instead are concatenations of smaller subsystems that can be combined in different ways to produce different outcomes (i.e. a flamethrower is produced by combining a spark with a pressurized gas emission. That same gas emission ability could be used without a spark to flood a room with an opaque gas to obscure visibility, or a toxic gas etc. Similarly, lightning is produced by creating a positive and negative potential energy on oneself and at a distance which causes an arc that could be potentially misdirected if other electrical potentials or means of grounding are in proximity.) The purpose of this approach is to create a world built on foundational rules for the player to experiment with and apply their own creativity. It is designed to be off-rails and a playground for original and resourceful thinking (often under constrained circumstances.)
Other examples of the foundational mechanics of the engine include the telekinesis/manipulation ability (the power to move physics objects made of wood, steel, concrete etc), the transmutation ability (transmute that physics object from one shape to another), emission (convert objects to energy to use for spells), conjuration (convert energy into physical objects), etc. The physics and object manipulation systems are designed to work hand-in-hand with the magic system using rules of chemistry as an interface.
//// Next steps for this project ////
Esoteric Instinct started off mid-2024 but ran into problems with resources and funding. It's our first time working together as a studio and so we're still trying to navigate a way to a) work on making a great game while b) not starving or ending up homeless while c) not selling the soul of the project. The team are passionate and talented but we're all on hiatus working on other stuff while we figure out a way to sustainably give this project the attention and dedication it needs and deserves.
We're looking for new talent to join the project:
Most urgently we are looking for competent blueprint (and/or C++) programmers with an interest and passion for game design of non-conventional gameplay mechanics and combat.
3D environment and character artists.
VFX artists (for making spells that can interface with blueprint logic).
More important than any specific role, however, is the passion and enthusiasm for the project. If this project lights a spark in you, and you can see a unique way to contribute that I haven't listed here, we want to hear from you!
📝 To get involved, please contact Jackson on Discord or apply via the Apprenticeship Program:
https://jacksonnexhip.gumroad.com/l/EsotericApprenticeshipProgram
//// Other links to (early) Esoteric Instinct content ////
Early overview/pitch video:
• Looking for a team! -- Esoteric Instinct p...
Early slideshow overview: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Av4fJ3jpQCGZp3B2OLfJfhsvfgAgnnFCruZzFRq0Mng
Early gameplay sample:
• Kali (Esoteric Instinct)
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