Waxwing

Ongoing

Waxwing subverts the traditional light gun, a device that allows players to aim and shoot at targets on a video game screen, by reimagining it as a literal source of light, shifting the focus from violence to an exploration of aspirations and the human condition. Inspired by the myth of Icarus, the game challenges players to navigate toward an unattainable sun, emphasizing the thrills and risks involved in hubris-driven ambitions. Incorporating intense bullet hell mechanics, a subgenre emphasizing projectile dodging, as seen in games like Ikaruga, and drawing inspiration from the patience and resilience required in games like Flywrench, the developers instruct players to indirectly guide their characters, working to establish coordination rather than gain full control.

The narrative unfolds in phases: from the primal attraction of a moth to flame, to the audacious curiosity of youth captivated by fire, culminating in humanity’s relentless quest to conquer the cosmos.

Embracing the ongoing, mutable process of software-based art, Waxwing is still evolving. Features may change and new levels will be added for years to come. The iteration exhibited here is version 2.2.0.

About the Artists

Common Opera is an American game development trio. They work to realize a vision of video games that merges the niche with the widely approachable by creating elaborate games from a DIY sensibility. The practice of the team, founded in 2019, spans personal, client, and grant-based work in both digital and physical media. Their project Waxwing, a game with a custom arcade cabinet, won the 2024 Human Human Machine Award at A MAZE in Berlin. Waxwing was also supported by a Brooklyn Arts Council Grant in collaboration with Death by Audio Arcade. The game has been exhibited at notable events including Day of the Devs in Los Angeles and gamescom in Cologne.