Videoverse

Videoverse is a 2023 narrative adventure game developed and published by Kinmoku. Players control a teenage gamer in 2003 and help him navigate relationships on a fictional social network dedicated to his favorite video game.

Videoverse
Developer(s)Kinmoku
Publisher(s)Kinmoku
Designer(s)Lucy Blundell
Composer(s)Clark Aboud
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: August 7, 2023
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Players control a teenager named Emmett in 2003 as he plays his favorite video game, Feudal Fantasy, and interacts with other fans on Videoverse, a fictional social network tied to his game console, the Kinmoku Shark.[1] Players can like posts, post fan art, and communicate with friends in a retro style user interface.[2] These actions affect the story and provide Emmett with more options during dialogue. Eventually, Emmett develops a crush on another teenager on Videoverse. When Kinmoku announces that they will be retiring the Videoverse in favor of a new service, players must help Emmett deal with this decision's fallout on the community and his relationships.[1]

Development

Kinmoku modeled Videoverse's social network on MSN Messenger and the Miiverse, a defunct Nintendo social network.[3] The name of the game's fictional handheld console, the Kinmoku Shark, was inspired by the GameCube's codename, Dolphin. Kinmoku gave the Shark modern attributes but modeled it after various handheld consoles from the 1990s. The initial designs featured more of a shark motif, but this was simplified to make it easier to draw.[4] It was released on August 7, 2023.[2]

Reception

Videoverse received positive reviews on Metacritic.[5] The Guardian called it "Adrian Mole for the digital era" and said it "made me happy, sad, thoughtful and achingly nostalgic".[1] Rock Paper Shotgun said it is "strong, powerful stuff that leaves a deep and tender impression". They said it shows the "same fascination with the perils of human intimacy" as One Night Stand but on a grander scale.[2] Multiplayer.it praised its writing and immersiveness.[6]

Videoverse won the critics' choice award at the Indie Cup UK '23.[7]

References
  1. Stuart, Keith (2023-08-07). "Videoverse review – a profound exploration of love, games and fandom". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  2. Castle, Katherine (2023-08-07). "Videoverse review: hold onto your heartstrings". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  3. Gray, Kate (2022-08-17). "There's A New Indie Game On The Way That's Inspired By Miiverse And MSN". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  4. Blundell, Lucy (2023-08-02). "Coming up with the design of the fictional console 'Kinmoku Shark'". Game Developer. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  5. "Videoverse (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  6. Martino, Giulia (2023-08-12). "Videoverse, la recensione di un racconto visuale ispirato ai primissimi social network". Multiplayer.it. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  7. Jones, Rebecca (2023-07-26). "Indiescovery Episode 15: Goodbye (For Now)". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
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