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Explore a dreamlike world and the magical imagination and talent of a ��Ʒ������ Guildhall alumnus in 2025 Steam release, . 

The Falling Star is a short, atmospheric first-person adventure set in a fragmented dreamscape exploration and narrative-driven walking simulator. The game was created by ��Ʒ������ Guildhall alumnus Anona Yang (Cohort 33) and explores themes of memory, loss, and acceptance.

About the Game

Players assume the role of a young girl, journeying through a surreal memory world shaped by grief, love, and unanswered questions. After your mother’s passing, you follow her final wish—to uncover the truth behind your missing Aunt Jiang—and in doing so, you begin to understand family stories left unspoken. Players enter the protagonist’s dreamscape, piecing together fragments of memories about Aunt Jiang through exploration, interaction, and narration.

• A Short, Emotional Journey: Designed to be completed in around 20–30 minutes, The Falling Star offers a focused, emotionally resonant experience. Perfect for players who enjoy introspective storytelling and atmospheric exploration, it is a calm yet bittersweet story conveyed through narration that balances warmth and sorrow while encouraging introspection and personal interpretation.
  
  
  
  

• Beautifully Crafted Environments Blur the Line Between Memory and Imagination: From quiet bedrooms to abandoned factories and the remains of a once-bustling town, each area of the game reflects fragments of the past waiting to be pieced together. The game was created utilizing distinctive shaders to shape atmospheric tones and evoke the feeling of distant, half-remembered memories, enhancing the visual storytelling.
  
  
  
  

• Solve Environmental Puzzles in A Story Told Through Objects: Uncover clues hidden in the world like handwritten notes, old objects, and family relics. Light puzzle-solving is used to guide your journey and encourage thoughtful exploration. Instead of lengthy cutscenes, the narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling as you examine everyday items and listen to the protagonist’s inner thoughts while she reflects on her family’s history.

• A Meditative Soundscape: Accompanied by original gentle music and ambient sound design, the experience invites players to slow down, feel, and remember.

The game was created as a solo project in just three months, making it a compact but carefully crafted experience. Despite its small scope, it seeks to deliver an atmosphere and emotional impact that lingers with players.

"The idea originated from a fragmented dream in which I teleported through disjointed worlds to reunite with friends in a detective-like story," Yang said. "Over time, I wove this dream together with elements of my family story and similar stories I encountered in the news, shaping them into a surreal dreamscape. The goal was to craft a narrative that feels both intimate and personal, while also inviting players to reflect on their own emotions and experiences."

During development, Yang received support from fellow ��Ʒ������ Guildhall alumni Conger He (Cohort 32), who designed the logo and provided UI support, and Eureka Lun and Yihan Luo (C34), who contributed custom art assets.

Student Project Turned Steam Success

The Falling Star began as a Directed Focus Study II class assignment, and eventually turned into a commercial release on Steam—published to the gaming platform shortly after Yang's graduation from ��Ʒ������ Guildhall.

"It was my first time developing a full game independently. Choosing Unreal Engine quickly expanded the scope beyond the course requirements, which meant I had to dedicate significant extra time and effort," Yang explained. "The process was both challenging and rewarding. I often faced difficult design choices, balancing scope with creativity, solving technical problems on my own, and refining the experience to fit my vision."

Once she found a clear direction, everything came together, and the game was positively received on the Steam platform. Yang  on October 2 that the game had reached 2,000 downloads, and as a thank you, special DLC content would be released on October 9, 2025.

According to Yang, her education provided the solid skills and critical thinking needed to achieve success in today's game development landscape. "What I learned at ��Ʒ������ Guildhall gave me the foundation to approach design critically while also equipping me with the technical skills needed to bring ideas to life."

Yang recalls the moment she reached “gameplay complete," when the dialogue, shaders, music, and interactive elements finally came together as a cohesive whole.

"At that moment, the emotional experience I had envisioned began to emerge tangibly from the screen, and the game felt truly alive," she said. "Following the release, receiving reviews from players who resonated with the story was equally meaningful. I have long aspired to create work that carries narrative significance through a visually rich experience, and the feedback affirmed that, in some measure, this goal had been realized. It was deeply rewarding to discover an audience who not only engaged with the game but also understood and valued the form of expression it sought to convey."

Among these reviews, the game has been called 'a work of art' and 'genuinely beautiful,' with one user reporting that the combination of story and music brought them to tears.

For other aspiring developers looking to create their own works of art, Anona's recommendation is to create something in Unreal Engine and share it publicly. "Working in Unreal helps you grow comfortable with the engine while sharpening problem-solving and self-learning habits. Releasing a project on Steam, even a small one, is a valuable way to test your work in the market. If there’s something you truly want to express, use your class time as an opportunity to shape it into a playable experience and gather meaningful feedback."

DLC to Release on Steam October 9

As a thank you to supporters, a DLC to celebrate 2,000 downloads will launch on Steam on October 9, 2025. It will include:

1. 🎁 : For quiet storytellers and reflective explorers, this Supporter Pack is a small offering for those who found a moment of peace within The Falling Star. It features an illustrated book and developer's journal.       

   • Digital Picture Book: The Little Rabbit's Garden is a 26-page, full-color illustrated book that reveals the complete, hidden story from the game, presented in a printable 4"x6" postcard format. (Available in English, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese) Spanish translation assistance was provided by ��Ʒ������ Guildhall fellow alumnus, Daniel Leon (C33). 

   • Behind-the-Scenes Journal: This 12-page PDF offers an intimate look at the creative process, featuring early screenshots, developer commentary, and personal reflections. (English only)

2. 🎶 : Experience the intimate music of The Falling Star, composed by Jinyi Shang (Suncall). Built around the delicate interplay of piano and cello, this four-track OST carries warmth, reflection, and gentle sorrow. (Available in both MP3 and WAV formats)

The illustrated picture book included in the DLC connects to a hidden in-game easter egg. It retells the story in an opposite way; rather than loss, it portrays a rabbit mother and two sisters living happily together. 

"I wanted this alternate version to provide a sense of comfort, balancing the grief explored in the game with a gentler perspective," Yang said. "In doing so, it offers players another way to reflect on the themes and perhaps carry away a feeling of quiet consolation."