Hydrodynamics of Hope & Optimism (AppID: 4014080)

Self-Delusion – A Modern Plague

Are you happy in life? Do you sometimes feel dehydrated? Is the glass half-full or half-empty?

Are you prone to self-delusion?

Hmm… I see.

You are declared the target audience for Hydrodynamics of Hope & Optimism

- in short, H2O!

On the topic of water

Do not fret, self-delusion is not an incurable condition!

One of the best solutions to prevent self-delusion is drinking water! It is extremely important to stay hydrated during your day, as a lack of water could lead to several conditions, such as headaches, stomach-aches, headaches, syphilis, headaches, cancer, headaches, job-loss, and many other problems including headaches.

To further illustrate the importance of water, please note that you are composed of approximately 60% of water (70% if you’re a child). Some parts of your body have an even higher percentage of water: your brain, for example, is composed of almost 90% of water (source: me). If it helps, you can therefore see your brain as a jellyfish. With eyes. Yes, I know it doesn’t help.

But now, how do you know if you’re self-delusional?

Hydrodynamics of Hope & Optimism

Discover the shameful fallacies of your brain by using Hydrodynamics of Hope & Optimism -in short, H2O! With this software, you can be declared sane. Officially sane.

How does it work? You will be asked to fill a series of glass halfway. Of course, you will probably fill them a little too much, or a little not enough. Our counselor, TeaTotal, will analyse your glass-filling trends, and then assess your mental state to see if you are sane or self-delusional. No refunds.

Do not fear, happiness is within your grasp!

Stay hydrated!

What this game features

Wait. Is this actually a game?

Yes. No. Who cares?

If you actually care, the only element of answer the team shall provide is the definition given by Salem, K. and Zimmerman, E. in their 2003 book Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals: "a game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that results in a quantifiable outcome."

Now then, the artificial conflict here is the 25 or so glasses to fill and 20 questions to answer leading you to a quantifiable outcome of questioning your life choices, although existential doubt should emerge around the 15th glass. And at the end, you get a nice final Hope & Optimism score because god knows ya’ll gamers need a satisfying conclusion.

Of course, for the sake of achievement-addicted Steam players, this game features 17 achievements for increased replayability value (wink wink, nudge nudge).

Won't somebody please think of the gameplay?

Oh, right. Well, you will use a whopping FOUR buttons to play this game!

Hold space to fill the glasses, only to release it when you think you've reached the halfway point.

Press left or right when choosing an answer to declare which glass you shall fill.

Press enter to advance in the therapy (i.e. the dialogues).

Technically, you can also use escape to quit the game, but we don't think it counts.