Neurocene
We are thrilled to share the latest developments for Tales from Neurocene. We have officially finalized the “Bible” of the project—the foundational document that defines the rules, mythology, and geography of the world where all our stories, films, and games will take place.
The Vision: A Narrative Universe
The Neurocene is more than just a setting; it is a warning and a proposal. The term combines “neuro” (nerve) and “cene” (new epoch), imagining a future where human life is dominated by neural systems.
Set in the year 2255, after the collapse of civilization, the world is split between:
- The Medieval Cities: Walled citadels of obedience ruled by N, a centralized Machine-God.
- The Devastated Lands: The chaotic frontier outside the walls, home to the marginalized Hybrids and the organic network of the “Quantum Glue.”
This universe is inspired by the scientific research of Marco Gori, exploring the conflict between energy-hungry, centralized AI and sustainable, distributed intelligence found in nature.
Phase One: The Hyperfilm
Instead of launching immediately with a complex video game engine, we are taking a strategic first step: developing the Neurocene as a Hyperfilm.
This is a return to a concept rooted in interactive narrative theory—a cinematic experience where the viewer’s choices directly determine the path of the story.
- Reference: The Concept of Hypertext & Hyperfilm
The Mechanic: Judged by the Machine
The core innovation of this Hyperfilm lies in the backend. We aren’t just scripting branching paths; we are building N as a functional AI agent.
As the player navigates the story, N observes, interprets, and reacts.
- The Choice: For example, the player must decide whether to help a Hybrid outcast or report them.
- The Consequence: These decisions send signals to N. The AI judges the player’s moral alignment—compliance vs. rebellion—and alters the narrative journey accordingly.
This allows us to test the world, the tone, and the “human vs. machine-god” relationship in a controlled, cinematic format.
Development & Partnerships
To bring this vision to life, we are establishing key collaborations for both the technical and visual components.
1. The Graphic Interface
We are proposing a partnership to create a “student farm” dedicated to designing the unique visual identity and UI of the Neurocene.
- Partner: Accademia delle Arti
2. Funding the Vision
We are actively aligning our production roadmap with European funding opportunities dedicated to video games and immersive content.
Next Steps
Our immediate focus is twofold:
- Developing N: Training the AI agent that will rule this paradigmatic world.
- The Choice Architecture: Designing the “Hypertext” of player decisions to ensure every choice carries deep, data-driven consequences.
The Neurocene is open. Which path will you choose?