Hi,
Just wanted to say thank you, and that I was really into this.
I like the central mechanic of the circular time track, and the way you can plant seeds (actual or metaphorical) that spring from future nodes (but can move around in the meanwhile).
I really like Greentongue!
I also like the examples of gameplay -- they really clarify and enliven things for me.
I’m really intrigued by the mention of Anna Tsing. The game reminded me a bit of the bit where the rhythms of mushroom finding-and-picking are likened to dancing.
From reading all the entries to the jam, it feels like one thing many designers are wrestling with is how to move beyond the machinic character of capitalism, the way capitalism invites us to see the whole universe as a collection of assets with merely numeric values. Some have been tempted to go very rules-lite and emphasise storytelling, which makes sense, but then I wonder if they may be foregoing some of the generative / transformative potential of play, and simply creating spaces to imagine what has been imagined before. I’d be interested to know how Circle Dance plays out in practice, especially things like the idea point mechanic.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!