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⬅️ Previous capture (2021-12-03)

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topics : game, social systems, social networks, slow computing

kind words

So this kind of an in-progress reflection about a 'game' I've bought recently.

It's an example of how technology can manipulate us for the better. Instead of

polarizing opinions and overall deceiving us, like most social networks do.

The game is called 'kind words'.

https://popcannibal.itch.io/kindwords

the game

The term 'game' is loosely used here. It's not a game where you can win or

loose. There is not even a 'gameplay' to speak of. It's more of a communcation

platform. Think of it as 'non-social-network'.

ambience

There is a nice 3D diorama representing 'your room', or 'your home' that you

can hardly customize. All the 3d is in a 'low-poly' art style, with lo-fi

music. Slow animations and warm colors. All the settings is set to put you in a

cozy mood.

And eventually, none of it might matter because you don't interact with any of

that.

mechanics

As I said no gameplay. All your actions happen in menus. There are not many

anyway. Here is a list, the explanation is just behind.

So you can send a 'public letter' that is very limited (~400 characters on 4

lines I think). They are anonymous, and everyone will be able to see it at some

undetermined point in the future. Depending on unknown factors it can be

minutes or days.

The answers have a somewhat bigger character limit; about 20 lines. They are

private. Only the original poster will see them. Then the OP can send a sticker

to the person who answered.

Stickers are the only 'gamified' part of the application. It's bunch of

collectibles that you can use to customize your room. There are about 20 and

it's trivial to get them all. They are also used as a mean of communication,

usually as a proxy for saying 'thank you'.

Think of it as an emoticon you can only use once you've seen it.

The key point here is that you *CANNOT* have a real conversation. There is no

back and forth. You post something, you get an answer. The end. Nobody knows

who you are, there is no reputation, no profiles, no evolving culture.

Everything is ephemeral and disposable.

Yet it works.

I've seen people telling really hurting and sad stories, confide secrets or

just share a good laugh. The sheer honesty is really stunnning. There are

people talking about their relationship issues, their fears their health

issues.

Some of them are more terse: "I had a bad day, send me a good joke". Or the

opposite "Write to me. I won't be able to answer, but you'll be read".

Of course there could be all lies, but what's the point ? There is nothing to

gain by lying anyway, nothing a troll could enjoy.

At first I was too shy to do anything. Then I answered to people asking for

funny feedbacks. The "Give me your worst breakfast recipe" kind.

Then I posted a few answers to persons who had situations I knew. I was a bit

reluctant. When someone is *that* honest and open hearted, you don't want to

hurt them.

I did finally write a message. It was very personnal and I felt silly for doing

it. And, surprisingly, relieved also. But over a few days I received really

moving answers, and it made me feel better.

Now this looks as an advertisement but it's not. I think it's what internet and

especially social networks should feel like. It's what they would've been if

they were designed for the purpose they advertise. But all of them are

optimized for money-making and attention-grabbing so that's what we get.

The real question is

why does is work ?

Anonymity and ambience play a role here. But I'm also convinced that the

limitations on the mean of communication are also a plus. Genova Chen is famous

for making Journey, a deeply connecting game with a single emote as the only

channel of communication.

There are also world-class game designer working on the topic of 'designing for

friendship':

https://lostgarden.home.blog/2017/01/27/game-design-patterns-for-building-friendships/

But 'kind words' is different, it's not about friendship since you cannot

create a nurture a lasting relationship.

I see some similarities with rawtext.club, and its shlog (or small audience

blog) system. Anyway it's turtles all the way down. So how do you design

something like that ? How long before a public post is visible ? By who ? Until

when ? How do you handle an imbalance between posters and answerers ? Do you

moderate ? How ? Can it be decentralized ? Do you need to have an

authentification scheme ?

It makes me want to design something similar. Even if don't end-up actually

coding it. It might be something local-first such as RTC, it might be a nice

toy to publish on gemini, it my be my next game jam project.

For the sake of it, let's design such a system together. If you have insights,

ideas; by all means, reach out. Mail me, shlog-back, whatever. I think social

networks designed for meaningful interactions can exist. I wanna know how.