If you were to mention the phrase “video game” to most people, the immediate image that pops into head would usually entail guns, blood, guts and gore. Frantic action and heart pounding gameplay that gets the adrenaline flowing and is probably detrimental to society as a whole (if you believe the politicians…) Because of this stereotype, when you see a game that is intended to relax and create a serene, calm environment, it causes you to take notice.Cloud was made possible by the Game Innovation Grant from the Division of Interactive Media at the University of Southern California School of Cinema and Television (http://interactive.usc.edu/) and is entirely created by a group of USC students. The goal of the game was to create the aforementioned serene, calm gameplay with the goal of recapturing the innocence and wonderment of youth.
Set against the backdrop of a sick child, stuck in a hospital bed, Cloud takes the young boy, and the player, through a fanciful flight of fluffy friendly clouds. In a dream like state you, as the boy, soar through the air and makes friends with the clouds; gathering them and shaping them to your will. Through a simple tutorial process, the clouds are gathered up and you are taught how you can use them to draw shapes and messages in the sky. This creative aspect of the game allows for virtually limitless possibilities. I’m sure we’ve all stared up at the sky at one point in our lives and seen many different shapes in the clouds. This freedom of soaring through the air, gathering the clouds allows you to create your very own fluffy imagery.
There is another aspect to the gameplay that is inspired by the weather. While rain and damp weather is often seen as a nuisance to most of us in our daily, busy lives, it is necessary for a great many things - from climate control to the survival of our ecosystem. By coaxing darker clouds to pour their contents on the land below, grass and trees can be coaxed back to life and fire and dangers can be stopped in their tracks. This is a more scenario based than the freeform drawing and gives solid goals to the player. However, there is no time limit to agitate the player, allowing the player to progress at their leisure, though there are limited numbers of rain clouds and moving them too far from their desired target will force you to reset.
With a melodic, wind chime inspired soundtrack, the game definitely succeeds at create a serene experience. In fact, it has even been demonstrated at conferences as an example of how games can be used for therapeutic uses. Producer Kellee Santiago mentioned that when Cloud Team started to create the game, they enjoyed it, but were a little unsure if others would feel the same way. With over half a million downloads from 25 countries, it would seem that others have found the wonder and serenity that is Cloud.
I've been playing games ever since I was a wee lad. My favorite games as a child were the classic Pitfall and a game called SNAFU, which was a sort of puzzle game along the lines of Tron Light Cycles. I've had most of the major console systems since the early days and have a wide range of tastes of games and I'm always eager to give a new one a try.
