Design Statement
The theme track gave me the image of a forest at night. Its cricket sounds suggested a quiet woodland, while its glockenspiel-like tones and gradually building melody felt like scattered points of starlight gathering until they illuminated the whole forest. What I felt in that image was hope: even in deep darkness, a faint light can bring warmth and grow into something beautiful.

I turned that musical impression into a journey as a single firefly. Players answer other fireflies, connect glowing mushrooms, light a willow and a hidden cave, and guide luminous vines up a great tree. Each small interaction awakens another part of the forest, while new instruments gradually join the music.

I kept the night dark so that every small light would matter. Simple gestures, gentle guidance, and no fail states give players space to explore. As the tree blooms and the view opens onto the stars, the growing light becomes a radiant landscape. I hope players leave with warmth and a renewed sense of possibility.

Game Instructions (launch steps, controls, and gameplay overview)
Launch: Play in your browser on Windows or Mac, or on a phone held in landscape. Headphones are recommended. Click or tap the small light on the title screen to begin.

Desktop: Move the mouse pointer to fly. Use the left mouse button to tap or hold. You can also move with the arrow keys and use Space or Enter to interact. Press Esc or P, or click the pause icon, to pause.

Touch: Hold anywhere on the left half of the screen to reveal a movement joystick. Tap or hold the button at the lower right to interact. You can also drag on the right half to steer.

Progression:
1. Approach a flashing firefly and answer with the same number of taps.
2. Enter the glowing mushrooms and steer the growing mycelium to connect all five clusters. Hold the interaction button to grow faster.
3. Hold your light near the hanging willow branches, then enter the cave below the riverbank and hold still until the ring of vines is complete.
4. Fly through the tall grass and dandelions.
5. Lead the vines up the great tree and along its branches, then fly through the waiting leaf clusters to light them and reveal the flowers.
6. When the view pulls back, approach the five dim stars to complete the journey.

Animated gesture hints appear when a new interaction is introduced. You can restart from the pause menu or the restart icon at the end.

Gameplay walkthrough video
https://youtu.be/LTfn7g8IIYg

Trailer / Other Additional Video Material (Optional)
https://youtu.be/LTfn7g8IIYg

Did your project use any AI tools or assets? If yes, please specify.
Yes. I led the concept, creative direction, and refinement through playtesting, visual review, and listening. Claude and OpenAI tools were used in three areas:

Programming: AI generated the game code and systems. I defined the intended interactions and guided revisions to behavior, pacing, and performance.

Art: AI generated procedural visuals and cover art. I directed the style, lighting, shapes, and detail. The ending title lettering was adapted from the cover.

Music: AI generated the composition, arrangement, and mixing. I selected a motif from Jason Grace’s theme and guided the emotional progression, instrumentation, and revisions through listening.

Instrument recordings come from VCSL and VSCO 2 Community Edition (CC0). The official theme recording is not used.