GitHub repository URL
https://github.com/Troctopus/Tractatus

Game description
Tractatus is an artistically driven game that explores the writing and theory of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein through text, music, and mechanics. This single-player pong game combines familiar mechanics with repetitive twists that require focus that breaks, amalgamates, and then breaks again. This succinct game offers an introduction to Wittgenstein’s philosophy by creating tension between simplicity and profundity, as the late philosopher did in his seminal text, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.

Theme interpretation
When reading philosophy, understanding comes in waves that are oftentimes ephemeral. Once one idea seems to solidify, another comes rushing in to build upon it, and as game developers we wanted to use this abstract approach to the theme ‘waves’ in our game to reference this strange feeling. It feels like a momentary enlightenment, or the words right upon the tip of your tongue. In our game we use philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein’s text coupled with familiar and strange game mechanics to evoke moments of brilliance like cresting a wave.