Barks

Environmental storytelling through barks makes a world feel alive and immersive - supporting an imperative part of player input and reaction loops.

Barks & Environment beats

©Image designed by Yasmin, owned by Gift of the Gods team

The Gift of the Gods

The game follows Nobody, a young woman sent into the divine Trials on Olympus by the Unbelievers, a human group rebelling against the gods.

Line ID Character Script Trigger Voice Actor Notes
DEM_INTER_SCA_001 Scarecrow (any) *r-r-rfffff* The... roots... are... undisturbed. Interact Scarecrows are mostly observers and they know not to interact with hundreds of people passing by. They have one job — guard the fields, not to answer questions or anything. So anytime someone pokes them or wants to attract their attention, they will not pay much of it until Demeter tells them to
DEM_COM_HIT_SCA_002 Scarecrow (any) *crrrr-k* Being hit
DEM_PROX_AXE_001 Nobody “Huh… an axe? Left on a stump like forgotten firewood. Maybe it’s meant for me.” Proximity of the Axe Nobody is still reeling from waking up with amnesia - shes very confused and still coming back to reality and just trying to focus on whats directly infront of her
DEM_INTER_AXE_001 Nobody “Feels heavy… but right. I wonder what it can cut.” Picking up the Axe Having picked up the axe, she feels reassured, like shes doing what shes meant to - this helps her feel a bit more stable and present
DEM_PROX_ISLE_1_001 Nobody “That island… floating above the fields. I wonder what’s up there?” Proximity to Floating Island 1 Shes tentative but her curiosity is outwaying her fear - for this world is awe inspiringly beautiful. These are huge islands floating way above her, but she feels the urge to climb in her soul, but isnt sure why exactly - she still has no information on the situation, just following her gut
DEM_PROX_ISLE_1_002 Nobody “Strange… it almost calls to me. Maybe I should climb.” Proximity to Floating Island 1
DEM_PROX_ISLE_2_001 Nobody “What is that in the clouds…? It looks like it’s waiting for me. Maybe there’s something hidden up there.” Proximity to Floating Island 2
DEM_PROX_ISLE_2_002 Nobody “Strange… the air feels lighter near that island. I should see what it’s guarding.” Proximity to Floating Island 2
DEM_PROX_ISLE_3_001 Nobody “Another island, hanging like fruit on a branch. What secrets could it hold?” Proximity to Floating Island 3
DEM_PROX_ISLE_3_002 Nobody “It feels… watchful. As if the stones themselves remember something. I need to climb.” Proximity to Floating Island 3
DEM_PROX_SHR_001 Nobody “I feel… rested. Like the air itself is mending me.” On entry to a Shrine (Random) She's relaxed and a bit startled - like shes had 2 days in a spa compressed into one moment. Everything feels warm and tingly like just out a warm bath. her ailments are magically fixed - this will be a great relief for her. She might be injured from a fall at this point, or a scuffle with a scarecrow. She feels strong now and ready to continue her hard journey forwards - she knows what she must do next.
DEM_PROX_SHR_002 Nobody “Strange warmth here. My wounds don’t ache anymore.” On entry to a Shrine (Random)
DEM_PROX_VIN_1_001 Nobody “Thick vines… maybe the axe could clear a path.” Proximity to vines blocking exit of Tutorial space Shes searching - following the instructions given to her by Demeter. She still doesnt know who she is or why shes here but shes determined to find out - so getting through the vines is another task in this. She won't be frustrated though yet, this will be her first encounter with the vines. Curious, exploratory and determined - relieving a strong sense of character
DEM_PROX_VIN_2_001 Nobody “I hear something behind these vines… an animal? I should cut them down.” Proximity to vines blocking Shrine entrance She's worried for whats behind the vines. She thinks they are in trouble and need saving. She has a kind heart and briefly forgets her own troubles to help the innocent creature - this shows a good sense of her character
DEM_INTER_TRI_1_001 Demeter “Idle feet trample harvests. Go on, child — the soil won’t sow itself.” Player interacts with her after the Trial is introduced but without doing any of the mechanics Demeter is impatient - Nobody (the player) seems stupid and slow to Demeter, but she's hopeful that this mortal is different to the ones who came before. She's given this trial hundreds of times, so the prompt must sound mildly annoyed, but still somewhat motherly in nature
DEM_INTER_TRI_2_001 Demeter “A seed half-watered is a promise half-kept. Tend it fully, or it will wither.” Player interacts with her after starting but not completing the Trial Demeter is trying to give helpful information - to encourage Nobody to understand her lesson but not revealing too much information. Like a mother, she knows that Nobody needs to figure this out for herself or the trial is pointless. She can only wait and watch carefully. This is a warning, so it likely deeper toned and said slowly and carefully for impact.
DEM_INTER_ENV_001 N/A “She promised us bread. For our sins we got only dust.” Player interacts with broken plate next to scrawls in the dirt This will either be in written format only or potentially read out by Nobody herself. If read out by Nobody, she should seem hesitant and reading it out a loud in that neutral way you do with a book, but then might have a reaction towards the end of the sentence as she consumes the meaning. Seeming confused by how the reaction of this person is so different to how shes seen Demeter so far. These will make her apprehensive, giving her an indication of a darkness behind this beautiful land should she fail her task.
DEM_INTER_ENV_002 N/A “The fields remember Persephone… and now our hunger.” Player interacts with carving on the temple wall
DEM_INTER_ENV_003 N/A “I reaped with my sythe until my hands bled, but repenting was not enough.” Player interacts with shattered bowl
DEM_INTER_ENV_004 N/A “We made one tiny mistake and that devil has left us to rot.” Player interacts with graffiti behind shrine
Full project
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World Primers/ Gameplay Loops