Because this game is technically a tie-in experience to the main game, certain continuity/core themes must be carried over between the two. Specifically, certain aspects of the child-character "Kirsten" that the experience is based on needed to be kept consistent, especially because her character in the game was going through a bit of a rework. These are the notes from my meetings with the "Narrative Team" and my counterparts from the main game, the "Kirsten Level Team". A lot of the information gathered here went on to further influence the development and design of Kirsten's Experience.

Toddler Dev Team [Kevin & Marcelo] (Dev Team @ 1:30)

• What is the current plan for Kirsten’s Level? How is that differing/building upon the work from previous years?
  • Big open level.
  • You start in a doll house and animate toys throughout to perform different tasks for Kirsten.
    • Maybe you animate a block that moves to a different area and makes a path for you?
    • Using a giant spoon as a catapult.
  • Everything is toy themed;big fantasyland.
  • Ends with the reveal that Kirsten saw the baby being taken.
• What are your current plans for Kirsten’s story in terms of gameplay? How do you plan on showing the themes/characterization through her level?
  • The tasks that you do are somewhat reminiscent of how she interacts with the family.
  • Originally wanted toys to represent each family member, but it was too limited.
  • Focused on open exploration to simulate the mind of a child.
    • Aiming for magical whimsy.
    • Big giant landmarks like in Disney.
    • Everything made from toys and imaginations
• How has Kirsten’s level (currently/potentially) being the last in the game affected your approach to gameplay, design and narrative implementation so far?
  • The biggest impact comes from the reveal that Kirsten saw the Fae take the baby (big twistish reveal).
  • Thought to incorporate mechanics from other levels, but didn’t want to take away from the other levels.
  • Still early on, hard to say for sure.
  • This isn’t the main focus.

Narrative Team (Hassani @ 2:00):

• What are your current plans for Kirsten’s story? I know that she is the one who saw the Fae take Tobi, but how has it evolved past that?
  • Her story is gonna be toned-down, take these with a grain of salt.
  • The fae comes and takes Tobi’s soul.
  • Kirsten was born with magic (the only person in the family with magical powers.
    • That will affect Aurelia.
    •  
  • Doesn’t really know what’s happening or why.
    • Knows the fae did something, not what.
    • Doesn’t know why everyone is sad.
  • Comes to learn what’s actually happening by the end.
• What are the core themes/vibes you want to get across with the Toddler’s story? [In the current build] Angela’s seems to be about holding onto hope and those close to you, while Dylan’s seems to be about losing that hope and pushing everyone away. What is Kirsten’s story going to say, and how will that parallel the others?
  • Curiosity
    • It will be extremely open to match this.
  • A lot of focus on the magic of the world.
  • Fantastical; childlike-wonder.
  • The point of the magic will be that it has consequences and downsides.
    • Not much darker than “actions/magic has consequences”
  • Tronto
    • Kirsten’s toy dinosaur