Perfect World

Imgur alt

Sourcelist

Wanted to talk a bit about what I did with this CYOA's design, and why.

This one's about perfection, and a perfect world, as seen through my eyes. A world built in the best way I can imagine it. And then it's about the practical expectations of others, living in that world.

Because perfection is utterly personal. And this CYOA can be seen as a fight. This sky blue background, the tranquil idealism, mixing with these garish, colourful alterations that others make to my perfect world.

Even the opening paragraph is antagonistic. Curt, rude, and straight to the point. The CYOA is expecting to be fought, it's rules expecting to be subverted.

But the obvious is never the whole picture. The facts are that same blue, representing that utopian idea. But so is the background. The background that encompasses everything, including the alterations.

The CYOA is giving you the chance to rebel. Telling you that you shouldn't idly accept the perfection of others, but mould it to what you want. But fundamentally, even the alterations are perfection. It is all part of the utopia, and there is no part of it that I wouldn't want.

It is the illusion of a conflict. Because fundamentally, I would not want to inflict my perfection on anyone. Rather, I would have them take it willingly. And if they won't take that, I will give them the tools to bend it, even if they will never break it.

This is why, in the last alteration to the last fact, you have the choice to leave. Without pain, effort, or hardship. It holds no true gameplay relevance, because if someone wanted to not play this CYOA, they would stop. But it is a signal to those who don't know, who aren't quite sure if this is a world they wish for. That the door is always open, and they can always leave.

Because a truly perfect world is one where everyone within wishes to be there.