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JIN 4 LIU
research
“Defining meaning is meaningless, every moment of experience is precious”
No Purpose Question Intro
VR needs serious games!
No Purpose Question is a first-person VR exploration game set in a dream world. The narrative is a personal and intimate journal through a dream, pieced together through the progressive distortion scene and the discussion of explorational meaningless. The game combines antiintentionality with a deep philosophical exploration of nihilism, challenging players to question the very nature of purpose and meaning.
Are you walking out of the maze?
Artistic Statement
"No Purpose Question" is an experimental VR game set in a maze-like dream world, where players embark on a personal and introspective journey. The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles to light up the environment, metaphorically illuminating the path of existential exploration. This journey is not just about navigating physical mazes but also delves into the philosophical realm of nihilism. The game challenges players to reflect on the essence of purpose and meaning, blending immersive gameplay with deep, thought-provoking inquiries.
At its core, "No Purpose Question" addresses the concept of nihilism - the belief that life lacks objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. However, it goes beyond traditional interpretations by exploring how to live with such a philosophy. It posits that while defining meaning may be meaningless, the present moments are precious, offering a nuanced take on existentialism. The narrative, conveyed through the voices of two contrasting narrators, guides players through a journey of self-discovery, challenging them to contemplate their existence and the pursuit of meaning.
The game's mechanics are ingeniously designed to reflect its philosophical themes. As players progress, the initial focus on solving puzzles gradually shifts, representing the journey from actively seeking meaning to recognizing the potential futility of this search. This change in gameplay dynamics encourages players to move from a goal-oriented mindset to a more contemplative and open-ended experience, mirroring the philosophical transition from the pursuit of meaning to an acceptance of life's inherent ambiguity.
Utilizing VR technology enhances this experience significantly. The immersive nature of VR allows players to fully engage with the game's world, making the philosophical themes more impactful. In VR, players are not just observers but active participants in the narrative, experiencing the existential dilemmas and emotional journeys of the characters more intimately. This heightened sense of presence amplifies both the intellectual and emotional engagement with the game, making the exploration of nihilism more personal and profound.
"No Purpose Question" represents a bold step in using video games as a medium for artistic and philosophical expression. It invites players to explore a world where the journey and the destination are intertwined in the search for meaning, offering a unique opportunity for reflection on the nature of existence, purpose, and the human condition. Through its innovative use of VR and its thoughtful integration of gameplay and narrative, the game offers a unique perspective on nihilism and existentialism, making it a valuable try into the field of experimental games.
about
Jin Liu is an MFA candidate in Digital Media and Design at the University of Connecticut, where she also serves as a research assistant at Greenhouse Studios and an instructor for the First Year Writing program at the UConn English Department.
Jin is an artist who actively explores new forms of expression through interactive instllation and game art. The themes of her work begin with an investigation of her own connections to the world. From the beginning of her memory, Jin has been suffering from atopic dermatitis all her life. She had a very special childhood, experiencing both physical and psychological constant torture, and Jin has been changing her perspective on things from a young age. Jin sees this specialness as a gift from fate, which has led her to become interested in how people communicate with themselves and the world. Sensitive and full of ideas, are the starting points for Jin's artistic expression and exploration.
Jin's Note
I have always believed that the realization of the artistic value of a work requires the combined efforts of the viewer, the participant and the creator. Therefore, I express and share my exploration and insights into the world in an interactive and immersive art form, and hope that this will communicate with the participants. My artistic inspiration and starting point comes from my experiences, observations, understandings and insights about myself and my living environment. I want to create artwork with a mindset of exploring the unknown and extending the senses, while I am committed to innovating forms of perception and communication with participants in my work.
Starting in 2018, my explorations range from understanding and accepting my "origin", to human-to-human and human-to-world communication, to examining the boundaries of freedom, virtual digital identity, and more. My works are mainly interactive installations, game art and interactive films. Now I am exploring the possibilities of "immersive play" as a form of effective communication between participants and creators. I focus on how to create an emotional connection with the participants during the experience. In particular, on an immersive level, as a sensory expansion that allows players to express themselves through the game. My latest research on immersive experiences focuses on nihilistic methodologies that combine Eastern and Western philosophies.
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Experience
Manhattan Neighborhood Network 06/2023-
Professional Media Instructor
First-Year-Writing Program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, UCONN 08/2022-05/2024
Instructor of ENGL 1007 - Seminar in Academic Writing and Multimodal Composition
Greenhouse Studios, UCONN 08/2021-05/2024
Graduate Research Assistant
-Participated in project Charles VR, Flusser Vision, Brand Strategy team as scene designing, assets making, UI designing and researching.
Enlight V 08/2020-10/2020
Creative Director Assistant
-Participated in the company's project-- Unfilled Sea, in the Asian Media Art Exhibition in which I was responsible for scene character design, mechanical design and interactive device production, background video production, programming, etc.
Yexian (emotional TV show), China Central Television #12 (CCTV#12) 01/2020-03/2020
Media Video Director
-Made promotion videos posted on CCTV#12 official accounts(Tik Tok, Sina Weibo, etc.) as well as the touching news videos about the epidemic,
Beijing Licheng Century Culture and Art Co. Ltd 09/2019
Stage Vehicle Designer
-Participated in the renovation design project of Beijing HAPPY VALLEY Odyssey park.
-Conducted the conceptual design and rendering of cars witch used for performance in the early stage of the project.
"Virtual and Immersive Projection " Workshop, Disguise 12/2018-01/2019
Group#2 Projection Leader
-Designed and made the projection video of a building in Beijing Film Academy
-Learned the operation of the professional disguise software
American 5C Education Institute 02/2017-06/2018
Hand-drawn Illustrator
-Hand-painted 18 children bilingual picture books in both Chinese & English story illustrations, and scanned and conducted post-processing hand-drawn images.
Interests & Skills
Multi-modal Interaction Design / Programming (p5.js)
Auduino, p5.js (based on JAVA)
Game Design / Virtual Reality Development / Video & Animation Production
Unreal Engine, Unity 3D, Jaunt VR, Autodesk MAYA & 3Ds Max, Adobe PS & PR & AE, Substance Painter, Zbrush, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, REAPER64
Visual Communication Design / UI & UX Design
Axure RP, Adobe AI & PS
Awards & Exhibitions
Ivy Film Festival 2023 New Media Selection, United States
Busan International Environment Art Festival 2020 Asia Eco Olympiad Art Exhibition, South Korea
"Purple Gold Award" Natinal University Student Design Exhibition, China
Unreal Engine 72 hours Game Creation Competition, China
2nd CHINA VR NEW FILM AWARD, "Best College Student VR Film", China
National Encouragement Scholarship, AY19-20 & AY18-19, China