Peacock - Interactive Fiction

Synopsis

After the Opium War, China began to fall into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society with fierce social conflicts. On the other hand, the influx of Western technology, culture, and art has led to a trend of pursuing fashion as Western in Chinese society.

"Peacock" is a interactive fiction based on the above. Players will play the role of a talented but neglected second daughter of a wealthy family. She has grown up with her beautiful elder sister and has always lacked attention and confidence.

One day, she wakes up from an illusion and is then taken by her sister to watch the fireworks show at the Lantern Festival. Along the way, she encounter dogging ghost shadow, impoverished beggar, crying child, and cunning peacock merchant... She will face various situations and choices, and in each choice, she will rediscover herself and eventually overcome her inner demons.

Theme

Peacock is the embodiment of beauty, a symbol of comparison psychology, so this game wants to explore "what is beauty". Attractive beauty is certainly more than just external appearance but is also about the heart, thought, soul, and so on. However, we often stare at our flaws, ignoring our precious features and qualities, getting caught in anxiety and inferiority through comparison with others.

Especially after entering the Internet era, the comparison between people has intensified online. Regardless, can you now cast aside the judgments of others and wholeheartedly pursue becoming the person you want to be?