The thesis «Interdimensional Game Spaces» explores game spaces whose spatial dimensions change over the course of the game. During the research process, these so-called interdimensional game spaces were analysed and documented, including in terms of their importance for the diversity of game mechanics. This thesis also provides a tool for analysing the dimensionality of spaces, offering a means to extend the discourse about the spatial dimensions in video games.
The research results are translated into «Kaeru», a surrealist game which enables players to jump back and forth between different spatial dimensions. They control a «Silvesterchlaus» (a traditional, costumed New Year’s Eve character) who is pushed inside a frog by a frog, then falls through several frogs, and finally needs to jump around on frogs to escape this hell.
«Andreas successfully blends design traditions from Asia (design method: mukokuseki) with those of Europe. The result is an appealing artefact/game that stands out both in terms of its design and humour.» – Excerpt from the supporting statement of the Subject Area Game Design
«Kaeru» familiarizes players with so far unexplored spaces in video games and highlights the diversity of dimensionalities in video games. – Andreas Akira Strahm
«In future, I would like to rework existing game mechanics for companies and look for innovative solutions to their design challenges.» – Andreas Akira Strahm
