NULL:KID

NULL:KID is a short narrative pixel-art game about growing up and learning to accept emotions.

The protagonist has spent most of his life detached from his feelings, functioning almost like a machine. When something in his familiar world begins to break, he turns to his father for help. This time, however, his father cannot solve the problem for him.

During his journey, the protagonist encounters emotions he has previously avoided: fear, sadness, joy, envy and anger. Each becomes part of a process he has to face on his own.

At the centre of the world is a Machine that begins to fail together with everything around it. Reaching it gradually reveals that repairing the world and understanding himself are part of the same process.

The project combines monochrome pixel art, side-scrolling exploration and narrative elements. Its visual language draws on metaphysical architecture, particularly the work of Giorgio de Chirico, as well as the atmosphere and environmental storytelling of games such as ICO. The pixel-art format refers to the visual language of classic console games.

NULL:KID is an original game created as the practical artistic component of a Master's degree project in Media Art and Visual Education.

Concept, visual design, pixel art and development: Elizaveta Sklyarova
Engine: Godot
Platform: Web / Windows

MUSIC CREDITS: 

Akari Maori
“Lonely Bird”
“Conscience”
“Distorted Reflection”
From PS1 Aesthetic Music Album — Silent Hill Inspired
Used with credit according to the creator’s terms.

Joshua McLean / Retro Indie Josh
“In My Happy Space”
From Music Pack 12: Ambient (2021)
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).

Akari Maori — original music pack
Retro Indie Josh

CONTROLS:

← → , AD - Move 

Enter - Interact / Confirm 

Space - Jump (only in specific area)

Esc - Menu (long press ~5 sec)