Current state of the game
Stage 2: Create a prototype (current)
In July 2024 I applied for grant funding to create a game prototype for I Am This Castle in Unreal Engine 5 between January and July 2025. I am currently awaiting the results of the grant assessment process.
Stage 1: Write the script
The overall story for I Am This Castle was written by me over 5 weeks between the end of January and beginning of March 2024, including dialogue for the first 3rd of the game. Ylaria Rogers supported me in the workshopping of the story.
The source material was my own life story, so I was pretty familiar with the content! I had already completed a lot of the chronicling of my life through delivery of a presentation I had the absolute honour to give in May 2022, during which I condensed my life down to 4 discrete periods of time, or chapters. The story is a fictionalisation of the same broad brushstroke events, but adjusted and expanded to permit more time and space for contemplation and exploration of the topics and themes, as well as philosophical ideas and concepts that have been pivotal in my own life.
As far as writing goes, I have some experience. I’ve been writing short stories my whole life, and whilst none of them are published, a lot of these have been shared in other ways, for example as the basis of tabletop roleplaying games with friends. I excelled in English literature and creative writing classes throughout my school life, and formal feedback on my written communication skills in the workplace has always noted their high quality. I have attended several courses through the Australian Writers’ Centre, and so I have a touch of formal writing education as an adult, as well.
With that said, I did not undertake this challenge alone: Ylaria Rogers, of Heart Strings Theatre Company Pty Ltd, was my creative consultant throughout the story writing process, and supported me in workshopping and refining the ideas, plot points, symbolism and themes. Ylaria’s experience in directing and producing theatrical works for the stage has elevated the emotional engagement and creative delivery of the narrative, and with our powers combined, I know that we’re going to create something that hasn’t been seen before.
It bears repeating that creation of the draft script was supported by the ACT Government of Australia, to whom I am enormously grateful, and with whom I hope to have the privilege of collaborating with in the future.
