Memory: Eden

Memory [mem·o·ry] /ˈmem(ə)rē/ noun

• the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.
• something remembered from the past; a recollection.
• the part of a computer in which data or program instructions can be stored for retrieval.

‘Memory: Eden’ is a cyberpunk visual novel focusing on the importance of humanity in the memories and experiences we share. It follows Sam as he attends his shift as a Gardener at ‘Neurogrove Innovations’, a company known for collecting, farming, and selling memories for public consumption. With even the most intrinsic human experiences commodified, unrest and tensions boil within the city daily. As Sam delves into the memories of his long-lost childhood friend, Mia, he unravels the mysteries of her life after him, her struggles in the lower-class, and her mission to save her sick younger sister.

Drawing inspiration from games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Beneath A Steel Sky, ‘Memory: Eden’ goes beyond aesthetic or speculative tech; It taps into the cyberpunk genre’s fundamental critiques of social power structures and the quest for identity in a world where reality can be curated. Created using the open-source visual novel engine Ren’Py, it has rich storytelling and key interactive elements such as dialogue choices and audio / visual reactions.

This story is geared towards readers that aim to question and critique the idea of corporations harnessing and monopolizing human experiences for sale. By recognizing the human nuances of memories and life experiences, and the unknown implication technological advancement holds for them, ‘Memory: Eden invites players to participate in the unfolding drama that parallels modern reality.

Memory: Eden was created by Haili Kuanoni (the best background artist), Isaac Syphanh (character artist & Ren'py GUI), Sean Andrei Juego (writing & planning), Victoria Clark (Ren'py coding & writing), and Viviana Rodriguez Preciado (Team leader & writing).

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