When the spring 2020 FableVision interns first met as a group in February, we were excited to get to know each other—and begin working on our independent project. We met in a studio conference room to brainstorm ideas, and found common themes in what we were passionate about: empathy, self-acceptance, and learning people’s stories, to name a few.
This initial conversation eventually spawned Shared With 3 Others, an interactive narrative game set within the frame of a middle-school group project. Group projects are a common experience that many people, regardless of age, can relate to, and we wanted to explore the various interpersonal (and personal) dynamics within them. From brainstorm sessions and conversations at our intern table in the studio to text messages and Zoom calls from our homes, we have spent the last few months bringing this project to life.
Shared With 3 Others follows four members of a newly formed group: Taylor, Amber, Oli, and you, the player. Through mini-games and interactive stories, trial and error, help guide your project to completion—and get to know your group members along the way.
Hear from the group behind the group project in this behind-the-scenes look at Shared With 3 Others. And stay tuned for the game’s release soon!
What was your role in this project?
Rubin: I was a co-producer for this project! Sophie and I mapped out the project timeline, led the production process, and helped with writing, editing, and game development as needed.
Greg: I was primarily a background artist! But I also did some other art for the game here and there. I also was the voice actor for one of the characters, Oli!
Natalie: I was an artist! I mostly worked on the characters, but I also created some of the illustrations and voiced one of the characters, Amber!
Janina: I worked on the marketing and the script!
Sophie: I was one of the two producers on this project.
Esther: I was the programmer!
What was something that surprised you about this process?
Greg: I don't think I ever expected to enjoy doing background art as much as I do! This is my first illustration/animation internship, and I think I went into it expecting to do a lot more character work, as I definitely draw people more often. But I'm so happy seeing my art progress by working on backgrounds!
Janina: I was surprised by all the little details it takes to make a game! This was my first time working on an interactive narrative, so it was exciting to approach the project from a development perspective. For instance, we put a lot of thought into user experience, tracing each branch and choice in the story to make sure it flowed properly and made sense.
Sophie: I'm being completely sincere when I say that I was most surprised by how TALENTED our team is! Truly, production progressed smoothly because of how well we worked together and worked hard to contribute individual talents FOR the sake of the team. From the art to the development to the scripting—the synergy was our biggest asset.
What do you hope players will take away from this game?
Rubin: More than anything else, I hope players will emulate the game’s tone of acceptance and compassion in their own lives. I think our game does a really good job demonstrating how even the least alike people can depend on each other for warmth. I hope players will feel that warmth and recognize new ways they can be caring towards people in their own lives, especially people they don’t yet know.
Natalie: I hope they enjoy playing it, first and foremost, but I also hope the storyline helps them think about how they work in a group setting! It can be difficult to have to manage working in teams, but I hope this game helps people consider how to approach conflict and how even people you don't know might be struggling with things that could reflect in their work. And I hope players feel close to our characters by the end—I certainly do!
Esther: I hope players will identify with each of the characters! We put a lot of effort and heart into bringing them to life, especially through the script and gameplay. Oftentimes in work environments, there’s an intense pressure to just get things done and push teammates to perform, but the best projects come out of groups of people who encourage one another and help each other grow in the process.
What have you taken away from this experience?
Rubin: My biggest takeaway is a whole bunch of new friends! As someone just starting out in children’s media, working with this specific group on this project has been such an affirming experience. It’s no coincidence that we chose to focus on a group that gets to know each other through a project!
Greg: I've definitely learned a LOT about the animation production pipeline by working on Shared With 3 Others. I don't think I ever realized how much work goes into animated pieces outside of the art realm. I've also gained five truly amazing friends from this experience. I'm so happy I met every person on our intern team, and I hope we'll all continue to be friends for a long time.
Natalie: So many things! For one, it was enlightening to plan such a massive project from start to completion. We handled this game by breaking it into small goals, which made a genuinely huge task feel much more achievable. I've also learned a lot about myself creatively from having to develop ideas with my teammates and talking with all the mentors at FableVision. Ultimately, I learned a lot and made some great friends. I’m so glad to have had this experience!
Janina: I think this project is a great example of what can happen when people combine their ideas and strengths to create something new! Shared With 3 Others is uniquely ours—it couldn’t have been replicated if any one member of our incredible team wasn’t a part of it, and it’s really special to see how each person’s personality and passion contributed to the project.
Sophie: That something as small as a spark of an idea can be so powerful as to actually give birth to a tangible thing. No doubt, our team was the reason why it happened. Nothing but love and respect for this group.
Esther: Through the exciting challenge of building a game from start to finish, I practiced finding creative coding solutions, working through technical challenges with teammates, and communicating my ideas with confidence. I also got to know so many cool people! I’ve learned so much from supportive mentors within the studio and my incredible teammates, and I look forward to spending more time with our group once we’re all together again. Just as all our characters become friends in the end, so did our team! (Although we got along way quicker than they did.)