Some weeks ago, the Théâtre de l’Agora asked us to make a small arcade thing with a selection of indie games of our choice and gave us a “Carte blanche” to do so. Among a first list of weird and great indie games, our glance stopped on this game by Sophie Houlden: Dinosaurs didn’t have keyboards… A real UFO, who gave us the idea of the exhibition : to build a serie of five cardboard arcade cabinets with sticks and buttons replaced by keyboards. To give them a very special look, we’ve decided to remove and destroy every useless keys for each game. This idea was not only for the visual aspect of the device, it was also a great solution to offer the users/players a good affordance of the controller: all the remaining keys have a purpose and are used to play the game. So is born Arcade didn’t have keyboards. With such a name we had get a relevant selection of games which only require a keyboard and use it in a very specific way : Keyboard Drumset Fucking Werewolf by Cactus Because this is the future of MTV video music clip.
Because each new steps in game use the keyboards differently with only 6 keys. Because the music is crazy and the visual novel makes no logical sense when you tried to link both. GIRP by Bennet Foddy Because this is what e-sport should look like. Because it makes you “girp” you keyboard just like if you were climbing it. Because the challenge is accessible to any kind of users. Dinosaurs didn’t have keyboards but it they would, they wouldn’t break it (just like you are about to) by Sophie Houlden Because it explains why the dinosaurs died and disappeared form earth.
Because the way it request you to use the keys makes you feel you are running like a dinosaurs. Because even if the game can be hard to beat, the concept pleased everybody. Chase Goose by Hideous Because we wanted a really hard challenging game in our selection for the tough people. Because it requires endurance from the player and we knew people will play it together (to beat the high score! Because the graphics are rad, the music is cool and the ton is quite funny. pOnd by PeanutGallery Because we wanted something quiet and relaxing after all those challenging games (yes we know this is a lie). Because it only use the space key and we wanted to have a one button game. Because we like turtles (and purple squids). If you are around Paris this month, come pick a look. The exhibition held at the Théâtre de l’Agora in Evry is extended until 24thMarch. The access is totally free and you can play as long as you want.
