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Before Your Eyes

"Before Your Eyes" is an award-winning indie game that uses eye-tracking technology to tell an emotional story. Players relive the protagonist's memories, advancing the narrative with each blink. The game explores themes of memory, mortality, and the passage of time.

This game explores complex themes such as the reliability of memory, the impact of choices, and the nature of life and death. Our sample curriculum provides thought-provoking questions and discussion topics on how memories shape our identity, the consequences of our choices, and reflections on the brevity of life.
 

Lesson 1: Beginnings and Initial Memories


Gameplay:

Play from the beginning up to the scene where Benny starts drawing while bedridden.

Estimated playtime: 45-60 minutes.


Discussion:

  • How does the game introduce the concept of memory?

  • What are your first impressions of the protagonist and his family?

  • How does the blinking mechanic influence your engagement with the story?

  • What role does memory play in shaping our identity?

  • How reliable are the protagonist's memories? Can we trust them? Mention some memories that may not be reliable.

  • What initial themes are introduced, and how do they set the tone for the story?

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Lesson 2: Choices and Consequences


Gameplay:

Play from Benny starting to draw while bedridden up to the scene where Benny and Chloe meet at Benny's art exhibit. Estimated playtime: 45-60 minutes.


Discussion:

 

  • What choices does the protagonist face during his teenage years?

  • How do these choices impact his development and relationships?

  • Discuss the visual and auditory elements used to convey the protagonist's emotions.

  • How do our choices shape our lives and the lives of those around us?

  • Can you identify moments where the protagonist's choices significantly alter his path?

  • How does the game use its mechanics to reflect the weight of these decisions?

Lesson 3: Mortality and Reflection

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Gameplay:

Play from Benny’s art exhibit up to the game's conclusion, where Benny reaches the afterlife and is judged by the Ferryman.

Estimated playtime: 45-60 minutes.

 

Discussion:

  • How does the game explore the theme of mortality?

  • What reflections on life and death are presented through the protagonist's journey?

  • How do the final scenes tie together the game's overarching themes?

  • What does the game suggest about the nature of life and death?

  • How does the protagonist come to terms with his mortality?

  • In what ways does the blinking mechanic enhance the emotional impact of the story's conclusion?

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SHORT ESSAY TOPICS

Analyzing the Use of Interactive Mechanics:


How does the eye-tracking mechanic in BYE enhance the narrative? Discuss its impact on player engagement and emotional response, and compare it to traditional storytelling methods. Explore specific moments in the game where the mechanics directly influence the player's understanding and experience of the story.


The Role of Memory in Shaping Identity:


How does BYE portray the reliability and significance of memory in shaping personal identity? Analyze key scenes where memories influence the protagonist's self-perception and decisions. Support your thesis with examples from the game.


Exploring Mortality and the Passage of Time:


How does BYE addresses themes of mortality and the passage of time? Examine how the game’s narrative and mechanics convey these themes and their emotional impact on the player. Analyze specific moments in the game and compare them to other literary examples that deal with mortality and time.

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