Need Pearls Soon

Inspiration

We wanted to capture desperation meeting decision. When you need resources immediately, every offer looks tempting, but only one will actually help you survive.

What it does

This clip shows a critical early choice in Vast Ocean. The young turtle has reached an underwater city but needs pearls for basic survival: food, shelter, security. Two options appear. A jellyfish approaches carrying a message: "Earn pearls, no work required." Below in the market area, a manta ray glides past, calmly announcing they're hiring reliable couriers for steady work. The clip ends as both opportunities hang in the water, then cuts to the Vast Ocean title.

How we built it

We juxtaposed two offers with very different energy. The jellyfish's promise is immediate and effortless. The manta ray's offer requires work and reliability. Both present themselves as solutions to the same desperate need. Ending before the choice emphasizes the weight of the decision.

Challenges we ran into

Making both options feel viable without telegraphing which is legitimate. The "too good to be true" offer needed to feel tempting rather than obviously suspicious (even for this beginner level), especially when survival is urgent.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We captured how desperation changes evaluation. When you're hungry and vulnerable, "no work required" sounds like salvation rather than a red flag, even though steady work is clearly the safer choice.

What we learned

Survival decision clips resonate when both options address real need. The tension isn't between something useful and something useless, it's between two paths that both promise to solve your problem.

What's next for Need Pearls Soon

The full Vast Ocean interactive narrative is available in beta, where players face choices like this throughout the turtle's journey to survive and find genuine connection in a predatory city.

Built With

• elevenlabs-voice-ai
• runway