We are constantly seeking new ways to share stories that connect people to our shared cultural heritage, and we have discovered that games have the potential for deeply immersive storytelling. This is why we initiated a gaming residency program to challenge developers to create games that engage players with art in innovative ways. Last year, we introduced some of these engaging experiences, and today we are delighted to introduce another one.
For this project, we tasked the talented storytellers at inkle — the independent studio renowned for games like Overboard!, Heaven’s Vault, and A Highland Song — to lead people on a distinct journey of art discovery and exploration. The result is The Forever Labyrinth.
Jon Ingold, inkle’s narrative director, reflects on the project: “Initially, we felt overwhelmed by the vastness of the art collection. The Forever Labyrinth is a game that involves making connections between artifacts, and it’s a story about forming connections between people and art. Delving into the remarkable archive allowed us to expand the game, incorporating more art connections in novel ways. Consequently, we could integrate more narratives and hidden discoveries to uncover.”
Art possesses the remarkable ability to transport us to different eras, locations, and realms of creativity. In The Forever Labyrinth, this ability becomes quite literal as artworks transform into portals within an ever-changing maze that showcases humanity’s artistic legacy. Your quest to rescue the missing Professor Sheldrake will involve finding clues, deciphering enigmatic messages, encountering mysterious characters, evading a lurking monster, and racing against time to avert a looming collapse in The Forever Labyrinth.
