Not From This Current

Inspiration

We wanted to capture that moment when someone sees through you immediately. When a stranger reads your inexperience and you don't know yet if that makes you prey or someone they want to help.

What it does

This short clip shows an encounter from Vast Ocean's search for genuine friendship. A young sea turtle enters a quieter stream when a lionfish approaches, decorated spines glinting with strange ornaments, holograms dancing in the high-tech space around them.

How we built it

We isolated a single character encounter that captures the turtle's vulnerability and the city's blend of organic life and technology. The lionfish's observation is both accurate and ambiguous, creating uncertainty about their intentions. Ending immediately after their assessment leaves viewers wondering what comes next.

Challenges we ran into

Selecting a moment that intrigues without revealing whether this character is trustworthy. The lionfish needs to feel potentially dangerous and potentially helpful simultaneously, leaving the relationship unresolved.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We captured the core tension of Vast Ocean in one brief exchange. Being seen as inexperienced could mean you're about to be exploited or genuinely helped, and not knowing which makes every encounter fraught.

What we learned

Brief character introductions need personality and ambiguity established quickly. The lionfish's decorations and perceptiveness reveal character without explaining their role in the story.

What's next for Vast Ocean Lionfish Encounter

The full Vast Ocean interactive narrative is available in beta, where players navigate multiple encounters like this one, deciding who to trust while searching for both survival resources and genuine connection.

Built With

• elevenlabs-voice-ai
• runway