Asterism the new ‘crafts meets pixels’ game – and album – from the incredible solo developer Shimmerglitch is OUT NOW – on Itch, Steam and Bandcamp.
Shimmerglitch, also known as the incredible Claire Morwood, describes Asterism as a “playable indie-rock concept album set in outer space,” The game invites players on an emotional journey of self-discovery through a visually stunning and musically rich solar system, which uses traditional crafts such as origami, clay and amigurumi to build the game experience.
This unique project follows astronaut Ruby as she explores a series of hand-crafted planets, each unlocking a playable music video and contributing to a larger narrative. Players will skate across frozen seas, paint lines across alien landscapes, and chase mysterious signals echoing from the stars, all accompanied by the original soundtrack composed and performed by Claire herself.
Claire told the Scottish Games Network:
Asterism was inspired by the feeling of sitting on the window seat of a bus, music echoing in your ears, as you glimpse momentary details amidst the blur of passing lights.
Morwood, a self-taught game designer, artist, and programmer, is also known as the co-creator of the BAFTA-nominated game Before I Forget (3-Fold Games).
A Unique Blend of Music, Art, and Storytelling
Asterism features:
- Indie Rock Score: Immerse yourself in the raw and emotional melodies of Asterism’s indie-rock soundtrack, featuring vocals and gritty electric guitar.
- Handcrafted Visuals: Explore a visually striking world where digital and analogue techniques collide, featuring stop-motion ships, collage landscapes, and hand-drawn characters.
- Rich Narrative: Embark on a profound journey of discovery and introspection, exploring themes of personal expression, self-acceptance, anxiety, and mental health.
- Simple Controls: Asterism uses intuitive controls, making it easy to pick up and play.
- Album Length Experience: Designed to be played in a single sitting, Asterism offers approximately two hours of gameplay.
Supported by Creative Scotland, Asterism represents a significant achievement for this talented solo developer. We encourage everyone to download and experience this unique and captivating game.