A team of four graduates from CAA’s School of Animation and Games — Chen Jiaying, Lei Sangyu, Lin Ziyu, and Wang Ziyi — introduced their interactive narrative game titled “Four Scenes Adventure” at the 2024 CAA Graduation Exhibition. The game invites players to embark on an immersive adventure through the rich cultural tapestry of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279).

The game is inspired by “Four Landscape Sceneries”, a series of silk color paintings created by the artist Liu Songnian in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD1127-1279). These paintings depict the seasonal landscapes of Hangzhou—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and serve as the foundation for the game’s world-building. Throughout the interactive narrative, the game skillfully integrates the essence of Song Dynasty aesthetics, historical figures, intriguing anecdotes, and combines painting techniques with the artist’s insights, allowing players to immerse themselves in the painting's scenic beauty and the aesthetic of Song Dynasty art within an interactive landscape scroll.

In the game, players assume the role of an apprentice at a Song Dynasty painting academy, entering the world depicted by Liu Songnian and exploring the enchanting lakes and mountains. They will experience the subtle boundaries between humanity and nature, reality and illusion. Through a gradual integration with the artist’s creative thoughts, players will not only grasp the artist’s creative mindset and seasonal changes but also understand the essence of painting and the spirit of “seeking truth”. Additionally, the game presents the unique customs, folklore, and scholar lifestyles of the Song Dynasty, painting a vivid cultural tableau.

“Four Scenes Adventure” represents not only a practice in drawing inspiration from traditional art for digital game creation but also a youthful response to the innovative transformation and development of Song Dynasty culture. It is a notable example of the digital renewal of national trends, offering a creation that blends traditional and modern aspects of Song Dynasty art.

Four Scenes Adventure

Artist:  Chen Jiaying, Lei Sangyu, Lin Ziyu, and Wang Ziyi 

(School of Animation and Games)

Instructor: Tong Yuanyuan, Xuan Xuejun, Qin Qing