Motion Design
1152 × 576 px, 0:45 min
Motion work interpreting the poem True Joy using contrasting gameplay structures from Undertale.
This video interprets the poem True Joy by M. Jolynn Rawson-Hunt through edited gameplay from Undertale. The piece compares two narrative paths in the game to reflect the poem’s themes of time, choice, and human connection.
The first section uses footage from the “genocide” route, where gameplay is sped up to reflect a faster progression through the game. This pacing aligns with the poem’s focus on moving through life without awareness, emphasizing how time passes quickly when actions lack reflection and connection.
The second section shifts to the “pacifist” route, where gameplay slows down to show interactions with characters and moments of dialogue. This contrast highlights a more intentional experience, where time is spent building relationships and engaging with the environment. The change in pacing is reinforced through slower text animation and longer visual moments.
The video ends with an in-game prompt asking if the player would like to continue, with the selection moving to “yes.” This moment connects back to the poem’s message by suggesting the possibility of approaching life differently, with greater attention to relationships and meaningful experiences.