The last few weeks has seen a run on developing the narrative world of the tent and working out the way in which the open ended playfullness of some of the interaction could fit seemlessly into an immersive set up with a lot of space for the imagination.
As a result of some of that thinking we introduce you to the Luminous Laborotary.
And here's how it goes:
Once apon a time there was an alchemist - a scientist who experiemented at the very edges of the known world - the line between what was real and magic.
This alchemist built the Luminous Laborotary to unravel a secret. What that is we don't yet know.
He has disappeared but the Laboratory has become entrusted to you. Why have you been chosen? We are not quite sure, but there must be something pretty special about you.
You find the Luminous Laborotary in fragments and a strange map guide that helps you put it together. In the box there is also a letter from The Alchemist Al, warning you not to follow in his footsteps or else the same thing that happened to him will happen to you. If you break the rules and play with this special equipment and wake the ancient animal spirits, you must be careful not to anger them. To keep them sweet you can fulfil their every desire by sending it to them using the Curious Quill.
The intention was to be able to let children draw as part of the experience and for this to lead on seamlessly from the story. The structure of the experience is still to construct the tent and then build the visual environment through placing different representative figurines on the shrine. The narrative adds a little more theatre to the experience and sets out the stakes for what you need to draw - things that the character needs in order to stop them becoming very angry.
A sample of feedback so far - 9 year old Ibs said laborotary makes him think that he can make a mess and experiment. Possible accidents are also welcome. Eman, 7, would like to raise animal spirits and make friends with them.
Posted by May Abdalla