This game is based around Maori mythology. We wanted to share some of the stories New Zealand has to offer, in this case from the perspective of a native fantail.

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My main focus in this project was creating the story. Our story is an interpretation of Te Ara's telling of Tawhirimatea.  We also used The Hero’s Journey: The World of Joseph Campbell (1987) as a framework to design our story around.

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Ordinary world

Passing through lush New Zealand landscape, showing the elder on his branch above the other faintails, then focusing on our main character, the Fantail.

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Call to Adventure

The sky darkens as a storm hits, fantail sees elder and other fantails warning the animals/humans but does not help. Sees the elder die.

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Refusal to call

Flees from storm, afraid of the danger.

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Meeting the mentor

Returns and sees the destruction caused by the storm, cannot find any of the other fantails.

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Crossing the threshold

Knows that it if it had helped the elder might not have died. Fantail decides to go out and help other animals, now that the storm has calmed down.

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Tests, allies, enemies

Navigates New Zealand, rescuing other animals from dangerous situations. (Find Lost objects/characters such as family members, pathway is blocked and the fantail is the only one who can help remove the obstacle).

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Approaching the deepest cave

Sees the Storm grow and approach, a lot bigger than before, huge tsunami washes on land. Fantail manges to take refuge in cave, the wind carrying it further down.

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Ordeal, Death & Rebirth

The fantail is reminded of hiding at the beginning of the storm (seeing previous scenario in water). It can hear other animals outside still dealing with the storm, so the fantail makes its way back out of safety to go help, not wanting to repeat the mistake it made last time.

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(Seizing the Sword) Consequences, Acceptance of new life

Understanding of purpose (as a symbol of death), goes around warning the other animals/humans.

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The road back

Pushing back against the storm in defiance, warring against the elements.

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Resurrection

Being free of the storm and able to fly normally again (without gale winds).

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Return with mastery of problem

The fantail lands on the branch the elder used to inhabit. Slowly the other fantails join him back on their home tree, now looking up to him as the leader.

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