Hey everyone! The music for this video is available on Spotify now! Thanks for watching :) open.spotify.com/album/2GoU6TUTLhJCOJNvf0NLZT?si=iI9ZCM-TQL6KYaVVC5bQgA
Something about 000000FF0000 is that its name can be split into two hexadecimal codes. With 000000 being black, and FF0000 being Red, and seeing as how the game is filled with both of those colors, the game can basically be called Black Red or Dark Red. Could be looking into the wrong bit but that’s what I was getting from it.
“I don’t want you here. But I need you here.” That line hurts to see, especially with the soft crying and wailing afterwards from the statue. It didn’t want you there, it tried to shut you out, but it chose to try and trust you- to let you in. And then you hurt it. It feels horribly real, which is so odd considering it’s a game. Just like you said, it feels alive.
came here to see who else could read it i feel like it's almost the whole crux of the thing, and the fact that it's so hard to read that someone could miss out on it makes it even sadder 😭
A number of years ago I had the privilege of meeting Kitty Horrorshow in person at a NYU Game Center event (she is a wonderful person). I asked her how to pronounce “Chryza”, and she said it was a portmanteau of “Chornobyl” and “Giza” so “Chur-za”. So you were exactly on point of the nuclear comparison.
@@SquidBlue As a spanish speaker, we do use "Penultimo" or "Penultima" to refer to the next-to-last thing of a collective. Seems weird to use "Penultimate" tho', I thing it's because we refer to the "last thing" as "ultimo" ("El ultimo huevo en el refri(gerador)" = "The last egg in the fridge") and "Ultimate" as saying Defintive ("I'm the ultimate lifeform!" = "Yo soy la forma de vida definitiva!").
Maybe I'm just mental, but a lot of these games read like romances to me. not all of them by any means, but returning over and over to the house in anatomy until it elects to keep you is as much a depiction of love as a depiction of horror in my eyes.
They do have a very poetic feel to them. Like there's a craving, or longing being described. A bit like an emo's diary, but I'm totally here for that kind of vibe.
i have been wanting more kittyhorrorshow content since jacob geller’s “four short games about pain” so thank you so much!!! she’s one of my favorite creators and deserves so much more recognition. really excited to get into this analysis 💖
Transcripts for the jumbled passages from Dust City (did these in like half an hour so let me know if I got anything wrong) 38:24 Something makes me think of autumn. Warm house. The house where I grew up; my mother’s house, really, for she lined it with decor. Tiled the air with warmth and smells, orange and cinnamon. The sky was dark grey. Soft clothing, security. I remember having so much time. The years that far back are not a tunnel, but a field where time overlaps and memories coalesce, and there is not one day after the other, but a single emergent childhood. And I remember the gray sky and the back yard, sparse and wind-blown, and the warm candle light inside the bright kitchen chandelier. Remember our beagle? All the home-cooked dinners with the air cold outside and the wide windows of the living room, so much taller than I, so much gray sky in their glass, darkening into lowering night. Back then, the air smelled like smoke and leaves. There is no autumn like that anywhere else, or at any other time. The back yard empty and fenceless was like a proving ground for autumn’s ghosts. The trees were thin and skeletal, the grass flat as it slid down toward the cul-de-sac beyond, and I remember the gray sky darkening into lowering night, and the dry cold of the air, and the pleasant autumn smells of the house where I sit inside; safe, secure. Fuck, I miss it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to go back. 38:53 She watches as the night unfolds before her, a strange and vibrant world. She hears and sees a distant howl of wheels on distant highways that echoes past the fields of lightless trees. A moth above her flutters, twists, and dances; forever caught in broken hectic flight, propelled by instinct, drawn towards the gaslamps. A servant to their strange and dismal light. The waxing moon casts twisting, vorpal shadows on trees and buildings caught beneath its gaze, and bathes the world beneath it all in silver that hangs upon the thick nocturnal haze. She lights a cigarette, takes lip; inhaling, exhaling, writhing ghosts, which soon ascend. Communes with them through language steeped in vapor, and walks the streetlit road until it ends. Her feet betray her, drawing ever homeward. Her thoughts too vast and scattered to defy, the shining midnight road dissolves behind her as she flees the east horizon’s crimson eye. The morning is a stark and ugly creature, with blues and reds, makes riven night’s black skin. And as she lays her head upon her pillow, she prays for dreams of night to pull her in. 38:58 The sleeper stirs, impartial light spills between the slits of shades drawn against the ebb of day and settles on eyelids to coax his soul to surface once again. He had been dreaming, living and dancing and moving through a life and world that shifted and changed, but was always familiar. He quits this realm with great reluctance, lips and tongue and heavy lids still coated with the heady sweetness of its caul. The light forces open his eyes and the sight of a more solid world pushes in, casting out the memories of his most recent somnolent excursion until there is nothing left of it but whispers and fragments of visions, seen through a glass darkly. He does not know it yet, but a part of his soul has given itself to the tides of sleep. It remains there in the land of dreams, unable or unwilling to return fully to the shores of day, and it waits for the return of the sleeper to give it the light and breath it needs to travel the strange and wondrous places beyond the gates of the silver key. The land of the waking is a lonely place, a predictable and angular continent that teems with people who are kept distant from one another by countless thousand walls and doors. It is not so beyond the veil of slumber, for in those many bright and curious worlds there are people who exist by and for him; shades of old friends and lovers, as well as natives to the planes of sleep, who have no solid counterparts, unfettered as they are by wakeful flesh. They wait there, calling for him and even in waking. Their calls ring in his ears and dance, echoing through his mind’s quiet corridors. Though he shakes to think that he might someday spurn his fellows of the daylight for these phantoms, a great part of his soul cannot help but ache to oblige their wishes for his return. And when he lays down his head and shuts his eyes and gives himself to the arms of the ONEIROI, they will be there to greet him, not kept from him by doors or distance. With them, a reality exists separate from the rules and laws of the open eyed universe. It is fabricated, fictitious, but is it truly unreal? It exists there, within the sleeper’s brain; a universe of signals and images, that lives and spins on without need of tactility. It is a world that orbits no sun, but rather travels across synapses, spiraling along a silver path that is at once placeless and undeniably real. There is nothing there that is not his own; no field, nor ocean, nor mountain that was not, in part, his own creation. And yet, he walks these lands without control. No pain will come to him that he did not already carry, and nothing in this world will occur that he would not allow, though he might not know this in any conscious way. The sleeper, unaware, controls more of this realm than he controls himself within it; and that, perhaps, is the siren call, the sweet narcotic that sings gently in his waking vines, and stirs his heart when thoughts of sleep steal through him. (note: Oneiroi are referenced in Greek mythology, as the sons of Nyx, goddess of night, and brothers of Hypnos, god of sleep. They are basically the personification of dreams. I’m not certain why this word wasn’t scrambled out of all of them, it’s the only one I could find that were in all caps as well.) Hope this helps lol, great vid
@@datguyuno98 The first two parts sound like memories (maybe of Kittyhorrorshow's childhood?). They read like somewhat verbose and melancholic diary entries. The third one has references to Greek mythology, and might not be anything deeper than the author wanting to write very poetically about a Greek tale.
Kitty and her theme of houses and places as living organisms has always been a huge inspiration for me. Once I wrote a sociological essay on haunted houses and somehow crediting Anatomy as a source (alongside Hill House and House of leaves) got a permission from my university, which not only shows how layered and impactful her creations are, but also that even scholars are impressed enough with her work to consider it a valid source. To me she will always be THE artist of the flesh and spaces, and I cannot overstate the impact her games have had on my own work.
Her writing really taps into something special for me. Somehow the inclusion of biological/organic elements being compared to houses/childhood memories unlocks a specific compartment of my brain. As a kid, I was always terrified of biology. I understood from a very young age that people and animals are mushy, organ-filled constructs. It was cool to me, but also left me afraid of many things. Trying to put thoughts about death, disease, and injury out of my mind put me in headspaces a lot like some of Kitty's games. Torn between the discomfort of our physical bodies, but warmed by the non-physical feelings and experiences we share with each other. Also, the concept of your childhood (especially your home) is like a _living organism_ that molds and changes you, is deeply fascinating to me. I don't know what else to write. She blends concepts of organics, life/death, together with intangible concepts in a way that's really weird to think about. Cuz in a way, they're the same thing. Memories and emotions come from very real experiences put unto the body. And of course the general sapphic vibes that come writing about longing/nostalgia while using tons of flesh metaphors. It's all so good.
Jacob Geller made a similar video years ago and it really threw me down this rabbit hole. Really happy to see this topic catching on with more quality video analysis like this!
46:19 (spoilers for Anatomy) there's only one ending -- the cassette on the basement floor -- but the sequence between "YOU NEVER CAME BACK" and that ending changes. You're either a) walking towards the now mountain-sized house until a door appears in the hill below (and your only control is W); b) you're free-roaming through a construction zone until you get to the front door of the house, c) you're free-roaming in a maze of flesh and your exit is finding a final cassette that is indecipherably garbled but sounds like someone else is speaking to you through it. people have suggested there's a fourth sequence but i haven't seen it; anyone out in the comments here know if it exists?
I think I might have gotten the forth sequence recently it placed the player on this weird labyrinth platform similar to 000000FF0000 with red tendrils or lightning coming out of the sky aswell as large tape recorders I unfortunately forgot to grab any screenshots since I was busy commentating on the game to a friend but I'll see if I can get the sequence again
yes, i'm soooooo happy to see kitty horrorshow essay content like this, so many of her games are so fascinating. also, i sat looking at the text at 21:54 for a sec and it looks like to me it says "but i need you here"
@@Mute_Cy_Ren seems to me to be more about the dialogue of art, which can be deeply personal for the artist, and the audience. interpretation is generative, though, so your idea is just as valid as mine
Kitty Horrorshow is the sort of artistic bottled lightning that every generation only has about twenty or so of, sometimes less. Her work is so unique and so idiosyncratic you know if she wasn't doing it then no one else would be.
I don't think this is true. Not that she's not a good artist, but that every generation only has 20 or so. With the advent of social media it has become easier for niche artists to be seen rather than remain obscure and hidden away from the rest of the world.
@@devastatheseeker9967 I was struggling for the words at the time but I stand by this. I'd just add that not only does it (and other examples) feel like something only one person in the world can make, it feels like the wider world was *missing* this before them
@@rudolfambrozenvtuber I understand and respect your opinion but I disagree. You'd be surprised how similarly people are around the world no matter how unique they may be. Agricultural and Architectural fields in ancient societies were very similar despite having no contact with other nations.
@@rudolfambrozenvtuber While celebrating an artist’s uniqueness is commendable, to claim to know the entire art world is egotistical. There are artists who don’t get any recognition until they’re dead. Especially since some big artists will cite inspirations that aren’t nearly/never were as successful as they currently are. There’s also geographical/cultural/financial reasons to consider that might prevent artists from reaching more recognition. Especially with how much lost media there are, it’s unsurprising for artists to just fade into obscurity without any records of their existence. There are more artists out there than what might think. I don’t think it’s strange for there to have existed artists like this who didn’t gain recognition for numerous factors. Art often is, like you said, bottled lightning. And very often, circumstances aren’t kind to artists. The internet has presented new opportunities that didn’t exist in the past.
It's most likely not intentional, but Kitty's name sounds an awful lot like "Gregory Horror Show" an old old Japanaese horror program in the format of shorts. The main locale is "Gregory House" a sort of hotel existing in its own world, described as a sort of beacon to wayward souls. I know it's most likely not related, but they have somewhat similar themes and names, and the show itself is really, really fun. All the episodes are in English on UA-cam, I'd recommend giving the first season a watch if nothing else.
I could have sworn that was a game and not a show. Been years though. I still think of that one guy shouting "JUDGEMENT!!!" whenever i see the word haha.
Her work has always resonated with me. I am also Trans with a lot of religious trauma and the themes and atmosphere perfectly encapsulates the often times painful,guilt ridden, isolating experience that is being Trans or GNC. You are an outcast, a stranger in your own skin and sometimes all you want is a place to fit in...even if it's a desolate world.
@@blake2697This isn't the best place to say that when this person stated they had religious trauma. Trauma means something bad happened that scar them in relation to that. So please don't reply this on statements similar to this, because you may revive a bad moment that can hurt them
@@kanichenhaus You do not know what they have gone through. Tons of kids have been molested in churches, physically abused, etc. Do not speak on a situation you don't understand or know
I think I might know what the story of 0F is. The method of storytelling is a bit more abstract, but I can still come up with my own interpretation. As someone who has struggled with anxiety/depression and has also attempted suicide, the story of 0F resonates with me greatly. The concept of a living pile of code not wanting to be found or wishing for their painful breakdown-laden existence to end is a feeling I know all too well. And the end of the game, to me, makes the meaning of the game incredibly clear. The game already hints at the deeper story with lines like “I don’t want you here,” a feeling that someone like me who has isolated myself from others so I could bask alone in my own pain many times finds very familiar. But the figures at the end that almost look like they’re hanging, and the game closing itself at the end, almost as if it’s ending it’s own suffering… just gives me chills knowing what it means to me.
I've been trying to find the "four short games about pain" for MONTHS now after watching a the mentioned video, and began thinking they were a fever dream. To add to this already brilliant video you managed to free me of my mental itch to find them again. Thank you 😭😭😭
The concept of “places personified and in pain” has been living rent free in my silly little skull ever since I heard about Anatomy. Funny enough I found Jacob Geller from looking up the audio of Anatomy because I loved the voice on the tapes so much. Seeing anyone talk about Kitty Horror Show’s stuff just makes my day
It's a little oddball but I think the album Tallahassee by the Mountain Goats also does 'environment as character in the horror' pretty well. The house on Southwood Plantation Road that the couple moves into is just as much of a character in their spiraling relationship as they are. It's all throughout the album, it's the main character in the songs Southwood Plantation Road and The House That Dripped Blood. The very first line on the album is "Window facing an ill-kept front yard", the album is about the couple but their home is mentioned first. Cloven hoof prints turn up in the garden, the house's cellar door is referred to as an open throat, it's frequented by fat crows, vultures and peafowl. Nothing stays buried on Southwood Plantation Road. The house is a rotten, evil thing. Perhaps made more evil by the couple that lives inside of it, perhaps it was evil before, and it makes them worse.
Glad these are all (for the most part) self contained stories that we can fly through without having to carry the knowledge of the previous game to the next. Hurts the brain less.
Speaking of authors who inspired Anatomy, it reminds me vividly of a Ray Bradbury short story "There Will Come Soft Rains," about a futuristic house continuing to go through its automated processes, such as making the bed and making breakfast, long after its owner & occupant are gone.
i'm always really gratified whenever content creators nod to things like a character picking up hormones without dwelling on it or making a scene about it -- you discussed it when it's relevant, didn't make a thing™about it when it wasn't, and let this character (and kitty) continue as they are. it's a small comfort in an increasingly crazy world.
So it can't just be me that realizes Hate, the Goddess, is present in some form in almost every single one of these games right? Either as a mysterious statue/artifact, one perspective of the story being told, or her ever-present insects. I just love when even seemingly disconnected works by a creator still have some sort of common yet hidden thread. So cool.
38:47 Something makes me think of autumn. Warm house. The house where I grew up. My mother's house, really, for she lined it with decor, filled the air with warmth and smells, oregano and cinnamon. The sky was dark gray. Soft clothing. Security. I remember having so much time. The years that far back are not a tunnel but a field where time overlaps and memories coalesce, and there is not one day after the other but a single emergent childhood. And I remember the gray sky and the back yard, sparse and wind-blown, and the warm candle-light inside. The bright kitchen chandelier. Remember our beagle? All the home-cooked dreams with the air cold outside, and the wide windows of the living room so much taller than I. So much gray sky in their glass, darkening into lowering night. Back then the air smelled like smoke and leaves. There is no autumn like that anywhere else, or at any other time. The back-yard, empty and fenceless, was like a proving ground for autumn's ghosts. The trees were thin and skeletal, the grass flat as it slid down toward the cul-de-sac beyond. And I remember the gray sky darkening into lowering night, and the dry cold of the air, and the pleasant autumn smells of the house where I sit inside, safe. Secure. Fuck, I miss it. There's nothing I wouldn't give to go back.
Kittie is one of my favorite horror creators and I wish they were a novelist so I could dissect her writing. I’m so happy that you made a video on them, I’m always hungry for essays of their work so one from one of my favorite creators is a delight
id give anything for transcripts of her work or something, im a total wuss and cant play her games at all but shes such a creative inspiration for me. i would love to consume her stories in a more traditional format, but im so glad they exist within the worlds they do. i just wish i wasnt so scared of them so i could fully appreciate them LOL
im not a scientist so dont takey word as anything short of a ego boost to me. from the few stuff i read, its people being greedy ignoring all work safety instructions for money and power.
I was one of the people that saw Anatomy when it entered the spotlight and have only just recently discovered how many more games the creator has made since then. Thanks for sharing Kitty Horrorshow's work, it seems like I have a lot to pick from for this October ❤
I am absolutely FASCINATED by the way these games are done! Also I think at 21:50 it says “but it needs you here” at least that’s what I think it makes out!
If you like these games I’d highly recommend checking out the games made by Cosmo D. The experiences he makes are really one of a kind. Mixing unique storytelling with fantastic and dynamic music composition, his Off-Peak/Norwood games are truly beautiful and will have you coming back many times to get a complete grasp of the stories.
I havent even watched the video yet but I already just want to express my absolute undying love for Anatomy. It's one of my favorite games, I quote it all the time, and it introduced me to kittyhorrorshow who I then went on to love everything else of. 000000FF0000 especially hits home as someone who thinks a lot about the relationship between media and viewers. Her writing is so, so vivid and wonderful. I'm a big fan, and I'm really happy to see one of my favorite youtubers analyze her stuff.
I saw kitty horrorshow in the title and was like, oh cool I'm sure I haven't seen this one in a while. Imagine my delight moments later realizing it was a new one from you! We feast like kings!
This video was wonderful, as always, but I wanna comment on how I love the little bits of humor in your videos, like the slip up trying to say "cityscape". It's a nice break and I really appreciate it.
Playing these games actually reminded me a lot of Gamevial Shockwave titles from the late 2000's These games, with their primitive texture work, trippy visuals and empty worlds all came back to me after experiencing a few of Kitty's titles.
At 21:51, it looks like the text says "but i need you here" (what a wonderful follow up to the previous message) At 22:52, maybe "the tide, the sea, the wake, the crook of her arm" with the original text, it would have been "but i nEed you here" "ttHe tidE, the the sSEA the thHHHe wAke the the, cROOK of her aARM" not sure how much it'd add to the analysis but it does fit in!
Here Is Where I Carve My Heart’s poem made me genuinely cry in a way that I wasn’t expecting. It touched my heart, especially the little bird line because my chosen name is Robin 😭
I've been a huge fan of Kitty Horrorshow for the last few years, so I'm glad to see someone give her some flowers. ngl I was worried something happened to her because she stopped posting things for a few years only to pop up and disappear again. I guess they're just the type to not have a strong online presence outside of their work. Either way, I hope she continues to creat games, I can safely say she's one of my big inspirations for moods and settings.
Bro I didn't even watch the video yet but just listened to your tracks after that opening, I thought it was Joy Division, the second one was like Dark Ambient EDM like Booka Shade or Aphex Twin and the last one could easily be a Mars Volta interlude, that was epic. Spoilers for House of Leaves before the intro also got me super hyped for my second favourite book to get more exposure. You can't spoil that ride, it's impossible.
kitty horrorshow's works have such inherent transness to them, that even from a second hand interpretation there's so much that stands out to me about them. it's the familiar horror, something that is hard to explain but always present, like the a pain you always grew up with and just learned to get used to and tune out. Even in the inexplicable and incomprehensible, there's just something so familiar about what she's crafted.
The really funny thing is when I was younger and played a couple of their games, I felt most were boring and pretentious nonsense. But as I've grown older and replayed several I've really grown to love and appreciate a ton of them. Im still more fond of the liminally weird games like the strange castle one in haunted cities vol.2 but I now really really appreciate their horror work too.
Damn, nearly broke me hearing the whole transgender experience theory. I can directly attest to the hell that transitioning is. Hearing about it on an ARG-like content almost made me break down. I put the video as background audio originally as I cooked food, but it really did made me freeze up to take a moment to realize what I just heard. The girl that made this is really talented. I hope she makes more content. Considering I'm a sucker for ARGs, one that directly relates to the pain of expectations, transformation and acceptance really did feel like shell shock to me.
Amazing stuff Sagan as always. Do you think you'll ever revisit the Digital Ghost series' that you covered a few months back? I'd love to hear your opinion and speculation on some of the new developments in those series
I was going through my subscriptions yesterday and saw your channel pop up and the only thought was "ooh, can't wait for a new upload. Bet it's gonna be great like the usual vids." about 20 minutes later I see this. Perfection. Keep up the grind Sagan!
As a long time fan of Kitty Horrorshow and trans person, I'm really glad you picked up on the recurring themes of bodies, the way they trap and harm us, and the ways we seek to transcend them. A lot of the poetry hidden in Kitty's games touch me on an incredibly deep level, to the point where I feel pretty comfortable saying that Kitty's games come from a trans perspective, despite me not knowing her personally. Her themes of the horrors and triumphs of bodies have made me a fan for life.
i totally agree, having only just watched this now. i think her specific genre of horror (the body as the horror, the body having horrors done to it and still living, the body wanting something but given a terrifying alternative instead) is also very interesting when looked at from a political perspective. it's pretty well documented that horror reflects political climate-- now, as womens' bodies and trans bodies are more scrutinized and policed than ever, it's incredibly painful and raw to look at. i 100% agree that this is very much from a trans perspective.
Flesh is a trap for everyone. While some wish to climb into bodies they imagine will better define their soul, others are fully aware that no internal comfort would come from any external change. And a select few know that no peace, nor joy, will ever soothe a soul so wounded. I feel like this game developer knows that skin can be worn like a uniform, if it pleases the wearer, and it can be shed all the same; but, in the end, it's nothing more than a covering.
@@blackmonish hi, im also another trans person. please do not imply that transformation is only external for us. we are fully aware that external changes will not always bring internal change. thanks
at 21:50 i believe the distorted text states "but i need you here" which is interesting since it contrasts the previous statement. after the several themes of the game not wanting to be played i wonder why it has that. but anyway great video, your content is always very refreshing and new compared to the other redundant stuff out there
Weirdly enough, I'm reminded of Sim City 2000, or, at least, one small part of it. If you look at the information for a library you've built, there is a button you can click to bring up a short poem of sorts. It talks about how a city is like a living thing, with all it's moving parts to keep things running, and how each city has it's own personality. It's an idea that's always stuck with me ever since I first found it as a kid.
Haven't watched the video yet, but i first heard about kitty's works through Jacob Geller's essay so im excited to hear more about it from another awesome creator!
The title says "Spoilers for House of Leaves" and I'm already so fucking excited to hear you talk about it, just read it this year and it was... quite a journey.
My interpretation of the 000ff000 text "built into one god, many where here." I've seen a lot of people say it says "but I need you here" but I feel like my interpretation explains alot of the stuff in the game. The giant flesh wall pulling you into itself. The people feeling trapped in cages. The people being gone. Let Me know if anyone has any thoughts on this.
@@duppythepuppy2636 Its the clearest option, while your interpretation needs more letters to be added in, this interpretation needs only the letters that are already here, maybe it has a double interpretation if you fill in the blanks though idk
this was an incredible video and I'm astounded at the beauty and horror, poetry and dread, that kitty horrorshow packed into these games. her exploration of the body as a house and the house as a body is fascinating. and at 51:48, that line: "I know which house is yours", sent chills down my spine; not necessarily out of fear, but of understanding. somehow i just knew what that meant the moment i heard it.
Content warning but the TL;DR is I completely understand how a house can reflect the trauma we experienced there because my family and I have been through it. On the note of houses being reflections of the trauma we endure there, a metaphorical nuclear bomb went off in the life of my family a few months before I turned 21 and my mother couldn’t bear to stay in the house she was living in at the time - after learning the shit that had been going on without her knowing while she was struggling through the early onset and diagnosis period of living with a chronic illness - because it made her feel physically sick to be there. There are certain roads in that region I used to live that make me want to hyperventilate when a vehicle I’m in travels along them because I remember taking them in the car with someone who emotionally abused me back then - and believe it or not, that’s not even the worst of that person’s actions.
Anatomy has been and always will be my favorite horror game. I have never once played a game that has, personally, filled me with so much dread. It is a game I will always respect and always recommend. So I must say thank you for not only mentioning Anatomy, but the rest of the creator's works.
24:47 on the discussion of "jank", this is the reason why i did not find the security breach DLC scary at all. The game tries to be dirty, unkept, crusty - but its so polished at the same time. It's "too" polished so your immersion is broken.
This game series reminds me of games by Scriptwelder. Scriptwelder made really good games that are surreal and have so many questions to ask. Games like don’t escape 1 where you’re a werewolf and you’re trying to lock yourself in for the full moon make me wonder what the world is like. And of course, all the games are loosely connected.
We as gamers need to share her games with our kids. My son is 14...he is ready. Ju.p scares startle you ...kitty horror makes you lay in bed thinking after you have played them
I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend Oleander Garden's games (on Steam and Itch) to anyone and everyone who enjoys Kitty Horrorshow's work. Her Pagan and Hexcraft games have been my favourite discovery for less than the price of a sandwich this year.
19:03 not to hate or anything, but as a trans person, I hate that anything and everything that deals with 'transformation' is suddenly about 'gender identity' and 'transgenderism' even if it is no where close to it... like hell "escaping my physical form and becoming something else, something infinite and yet indescribable" is not "I am trans or (X Gender) and have a bad life" like those are two completely different things and as I said, I hate when its brought up so randomly and flippantly
also as a trans person, i thought of the exact same connection long before he said anything and felt kinship with the game immediately for it. it's not really "random" nor lacking in nuance to connect the dots - a transition *is* a transformation. many of us want it to be a transformation to something new and beautiful and strange all the same. it's sad that you refuse to engage with that lens of the experience entirely. does all media, even the intentionally vague, have to be explicitly about being trans for one to ever analyze it through the experience? ...why? how limiting. moreover hawkes isn't even saying it's _about_ being trans. he said it'd be potentially familiar and empathetic for trans people. are you upset he thought to bring it up at all? i hope you get better, truly.
@@elwind179 Maybe its because I just see it everywhere nowadays as an extreme introvert, more than anything, but from what I can remember of the video, I was thinking of it as more of like Apotheosis, rather than "Trans people". And mix that with it being related to a cult with what's currently being said about us and I suppose it just hit wrong...
@@elwind179 It's literally being everywhere now, so it's really hard to not rage... "Support them" is coming from every single person now, which is already going the opposite way of "SHIT, I heard this message so damn much that I'll hate the group they're refering to just out of SPITE.". Like really, not everything should be about trans, LGBT... Sometimes you want everyone to ignore the orientation IN GENERAL. Just like "Okay, fine, you exist. Should I be happy because you exist? No, I don't care, just go live your life.". People are basically celebrating that they're a man wearing dresses and having long hair/a woman wearing pants and having short hair... Or that they f*ck a particular gender. It's just overwhelming already... (No hate to you though. Most people of LGBT community are sweet. It's just me being tired. Cause it's not "true love" already. It's a trend everyone's following, and people who truly feel like being the wrong gender/loving their own gender are overshadowed by the ones who are trying to grab attention/brainwashed into being a part of LGBT cause "TV told me gays are cool". Sorry if you're somehow offended by my rant. I just... Don't really have people to speak my mind out, cause most immediately tell me off for being a jerk/go into really strange topics of what to do with LGBT teenagers.)
Omg so excited for the House of Leaves video!!! I hope you get to talk about Skinamarink a bit in that one lol, I would love to hear your analysis and thoughts!
I’m really glad I saw you community post because UA-cam did not show me this video and you are literally one of my favorite videos. I probably would have stumbled upon this video in 3 months when I rewatch your petscop video for the millionth time. I’m so sorry UA-cam isn’t showing your content to people because you make consistently amazing content !!
"Rain, House, Eternity" being about choosing to end your life for other's expectations or to abandon your physical form, becoming the "queen and the kingdom" I can not NOT read the transgender metaphor.
I have an alternate interpretation of at least some of the works, I feel the unified story has been split in half, half is a retreat into a horrifically flawed understanding of science and the other is the people left behind within the unknowns of mysticism. I could also see it being in thirds, one a journey of the mind, 'safe' within the embrace of technology, the second the perversion of the body, those unable to make the exodus, and the final third an exploration into the theology left behind, a search for the souls that were lost. Unfortunately I don't really know much about mysticism and theology, but I know enough about science to identify potential alternatives within some of the works, most notably: To me FF looks like we've stumbled upon the horrific aftermath of a failed upload, an attempt to take a person and digitize their consciousness, a worst and most perverse kind of body horror, the mutilation of a mind. Likely an early attempt at such a feat, it showcases that the mind isn't MEANT to run on our honestly archaic generalized processing structures or stored in hierarchical file structures, so the files are buried within a nonsensical maze that was once a tangle of neurons and when launched it seems corrupted. We're blundering through the imploding mind of some poor soul, their remaining consciousness crashing and collapsing and fracturing because it's running on a framework never meant to support it. The entire experience is the collapse of a being of a death more horrific than any natural one. Rain, House, Eternity looks to be a person that 'ascended' and became part of the underlying simulation. Dust City might be an exploration of a simulation 'ark' one that held many minds within, in hopes to outlive the apocalypse, but underwent data rot due to the raw timescales involved. The Sigils their last thoughts as they abstracted away into oblivion. Tenement seems to be similar ark, but one that has not yet degraded to the rot or been damaged, the residents successful and complete uploads, placed in the simulation to wait out the apocalypse.
One thing that really impresses me about some of her games is how they offer narratives in scraps without ever painting a full picture, but it’s always more intriguing than frustrating. They’re like Chris Van Allsburg’s Mysteries of Harris Burdick, tantalizing little nuggets your imagination can’t help but expand into much bigger stories.
As a trans person and a queer person who adores her games, I'd just like to point out that a lot of the themes in her art can also be read to reflect our experiences-- the experience of living inside of a body that is hostile to you, the themes of body horror and trauma and abandonment. It's difficult to put into words, but there is a unique kind of darkness that features into queer horror, particularly the work of trans artists-- I think it's the deeper examination of the relationship between the body and the mind, the unique way we experience having a body and inhabiting it, the inherent discomfort of existing in a form that everyone tells you wasn't made for you. Also, I pointed this out on Jacob Geller's video as well, but I was struck by something he said about Exclusion Zone that summarized the people's relationship to the goddess incredibly well: "they didn't know how to love her." And you know what that reminds me of? A mentally ill or queer/trans child whose parents don't know how to love them the way they need. It reminds me of my own parents, who I know love me very much, but whose treatment of me when I was younger left permanent scars on me, and it was because I was a severely mentally ill and queer child that they didn't know how to love right. They didn't know what I needed, and I couldn't explain it to them, since I didn't have the right words to communicate it myself. And so, in pain and loneliness, we lashed out at each other instead, causing immense amounts of damage. They wanted to help me, but they had no idea how to do it, and anything they tried only made my pain worse. To me, that's what Exclusion Zone is about-- the agony of loving someone that you can't help or communicate with properly, and the terrible damage that's left in the wake of such a relationship, whether it's between partners or within a family.
Kitty Horrorshow made several titles with Unity, incl. Anatomy, so please everyone do your best to enjoy them now before Unity's disgusting price gouging kicks in Jan 1 2024. Really hoping Unity reverses course on their decision entirely.
Hey everyone! The music for this video is available on Spotify now! Thanks for watching :)
open.spotify.com/album/2GoU6TUTLhJCOJNvf0NLZT?si=iI9ZCM-TQL6KYaVVC5bQgA
You're a legend man! Keep on going🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
Hey that distorted text reads "but I need you here"
this music SLAPS 🔥
Is this an EP? Would you consider this an EP? Or is this a single
Bruh this song is so good wait, what are the lyrics guys
"gotta feed them leeches baby girl" is being incorporated into my lexicon immediately
Mine too, I love it!
I can't think about leeches without recalling that one Twitter user who taped a leech to themselves and posted "Feeding time for Princess!"
I could see that catching on something fierce in leftist circles. Gotta feed them leeches (the bourgeois), baby girl!
"I must hastily provide sustenance to the leeches infant child." is also being added to my lexicons ranks.
I’ve been saying “gotta feed them leeches baby girl” to myself for like a month now
Something about 000000FF0000 is that its name can be split into two hexadecimal codes.
With 000000 being black, and FF0000 being Red, and seeing as how the game is filled with both of those colors, the game can basically be called Black Red or Dark Red.
Could be looking into the wrong bit but that’s what I was getting from it.
Yeah, I think you're exactly right.
I thought the same ! I dont think ur guessing is far fetched
or, Crimson
Thought the same. I think you're right.
“I don’t want you here. But I need you here.”
That line hurts to see, especially with the soft crying and wailing afterwards from the statue. It didn’t want you there, it tried to shut you out, but it chose to try and trust you- to let you in. And then you hurt it. It feels horribly real, which is so odd considering it’s a game. Just like you said, it feels alive.
came here to see who else could read it
i feel like it's almost the whole crux of the thing, and the fact that it's so hard to read that someone could miss out on it makes it even sadder 😭
I am 100% convinced that Kitty Horrorshow made that game after a breakup and/or abusive relationship. The pain in it is so *wretched.*
awwww, does baby want milky????
@@screwdajuice you're weird
@@hustle_rose OP seems to be the weird one here, even their description reads that they have problems
A number of years ago I had the privilege of meeting Kitty Horrorshow in person at a NYU Game Center event (she is a wonderful person). I asked her how to pronounce “Chryza”, and she said it was a portmanteau of “Chornobyl” and “Giza” so “Chur-za”. So you were exactly on point of the nuclear comparison.
"Penultimate" actually means "next-to-last." "Here is where I carve my heart" would be the *ultimate* line of the poem.
I was thinking he may have been looking for "titular" (that was the name of the game, right?)
I used to make this mistake all the time lol. Not my fault that “penultimate” sounds so… ultimate 😅
Damn ya learn something new every day. This will make an fine addition to my collection of useless facts.
@@cdogthehedgehog6923aight
@@SquidBlue As a spanish speaker, we do use "Penultimo" or "Penultima" to refer to the next-to-last thing of a collective. Seems weird to use "Penultimate" tho', I thing it's because we refer to the "last thing" as "ultimo" ("El ultimo huevo en el refri(gerador)" = "The last egg in the fridge") and "Ultimate" as saying Defintive ("I'm the ultimate lifeform!" = "Yo soy la forma de vida definitiva!").
Maybe I'm just mental, but a lot of these games read like romances to me. not all of them by any means, but returning over and over to the house in anatomy until it elects to keep you is as much a depiction of love as a depiction of horror in my eyes.
To be fair House of Leaves has been called a love story so you might be onto something here.
They do have a very poetic feel to them. Like there's a craving, or longing being described. A bit like an emo's diary, but I'm totally here for that kind of vibe.
You need therapy.
@@bugjamsyou described it SO WELL! "emo's diary" Is perfect!
@@cdogthehedgehog6923 bro does NOT know how to take anything except at face value
i have been wanting more kittyhorrorshow content since jacob geller’s “four short games about pain” so thank you so much!!! she’s one of my favorite creators and deserves so much more recognition. really excited to get into this analysis 💖
EXACTLY THIS VIDEO, YES
Tenement is by far my favorite of those 4
Any day whereupon a great youtuber uploads an hour long video essay is a good day.
Especially if it's about horror
@@nuclearcosmos23true
indeed
Blud unironically said whereupon
whomst'd've
"You would not exist were you not meant to do so" hit me strongly, not out of sadness but total comfort in my existence.
Transcripts for the jumbled passages from Dust City (did these in like half an hour so let me know if I got anything wrong)
38:24
Something makes me think of autumn. Warm house. The house where I grew up; my mother’s house, really, for she lined it with decor. Tiled the air with warmth and smells, orange and cinnamon. The sky was dark grey. Soft clothing, security. I remember having so much time. The years that far back are not a tunnel, but a field where time overlaps and memories coalesce, and there is not one day after the other, but a single emergent childhood. And I remember the gray sky and the back yard, sparse and wind-blown, and the warm candle light inside the bright kitchen chandelier. Remember our beagle? All the home-cooked dinners with the air cold outside and the wide windows of the living room, so much taller than I, so much gray sky in their glass, darkening into lowering night. Back then, the air smelled like smoke and leaves. There is no autumn like that anywhere else, or at any other time. The back yard empty and fenceless was like a proving ground for autumn’s ghosts. The trees were thin and skeletal, the grass flat as it slid down toward the cul-de-sac beyond, and I remember the gray sky darkening into lowering night, and the dry cold of the air, and the pleasant autumn smells of the house where I sit inside; safe, secure. Fuck, I miss it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to go back.
38:53
She watches as the night unfolds before her, a strange and vibrant world. She hears and sees a distant howl of wheels on distant highways that echoes past the fields of lightless trees. A moth above her flutters, twists, and dances; forever caught in broken hectic flight, propelled by instinct, drawn towards the gaslamps. A servant to their strange and dismal light. The waxing moon casts twisting, vorpal shadows on trees and buildings caught beneath its gaze, and bathes the world beneath it all in silver that hangs upon the thick nocturnal haze. She lights a cigarette, takes lip; inhaling, exhaling, writhing ghosts, which soon ascend. Communes with them through language steeped in vapor, and walks the streetlit road until it ends. Her feet betray her, drawing ever homeward. Her thoughts too vast and scattered to defy, the shining midnight road dissolves behind her as she flees the east horizon’s crimson eye. The morning is a stark and ugly creature, with blues and reds, makes riven night’s black skin. And as she lays her head upon her pillow, she prays for dreams of night to pull her in.
38:58
The sleeper stirs, impartial light spills between the slits of shades drawn against the ebb of day and settles on eyelids to coax his soul to surface once again. He had been dreaming, living and dancing and moving through a life and world that shifted and changed, but was always familiar. He quits this realm with great reluctance, lips and tongue and heavy lids still coated with the heady sweetness of its caul. The light forces open his eyes and the sight of a more solid world pushes in, casting out the memories of his most recent somnolent excursion until there is nothing left of it but whispers and fragments of visions, seen through a glass darkly. He does not know it yet, but a part of his soul has given itself to the tides of sleep. It remains there in the land of dreams, unable or unwilling to return fully to the shores of day, and it waits for the return of the sleeper to give it the light and breath it needs to travel the strange and wondrous places beyond the gates of the silver key. The land of the waking is a lonely place, a predictable and angular continent that teems with people who are kept distant from one another by countless thousand walls and doors. It is not so beyond the veil of slumber, for in those many bright and curious worlds there are people who exist by and for him; shades of old friends and lovers, as well as natives to the planes of sleep, who have no solid counterparts, unfettered as they are by wakeful flesh. They wait there, calling for him and even in waking. Their calls ring in his ears and dance, echoing through his mind’s quiet corridors. Though he shakes to think that he might someday spurn his fellows of the daylight for these phantoms, a great part of his soul cannot help but ache to oblige their wishes for his return. And when he lays down his head and shuts his eyes and gives himself to the arms of the ONEIROI, they will be there to greet him, not kept from him by doors or distance. With them, a reality exists separate from the rules and laws of the open eyed universe. It is fabricated, fictitious, but is it truly unreal? It exists there, within the sleeper’s brain; a universe of signals and images, that lives and spins on without need of tactility. It is a world that orbits no sun, but rather travels across synapses, spiraling along a silver path that is at once placeless and undeniably real. There is nothing there that is not his own; no field, nor ocean, nor mountain that was not, in part, his own creation. And yet, he walks these lands without control. No pain will come to him that he did not already carry, and nothing in this world will occur that he would not allow, though he might not know this in any conscious way. The sleeper, unaware, controls more of this realm than he controls himself within it; and that, perhaps, is the siren call, the sweet narcotic that sings gently in his waking vines, and stirs his heart when thoughts of sleep steal through him.
(note: Oneiroi are referenced in Greek mythology, as the sons of Nyx, goddess of night, and brothers of Hypnos, god of sleep. They are basically the personification of dreams. I’m not certain why this word wasn’t scrambled out of all of them, it’s the only one I could find that were in all caps as well.)
Hope this helps lol, great vid
I didn't see this and just got done translating two of them. Good work and I am going to go scream into a pillow
Bro, the fuck does any of this mean. You're definitely on the money or almost there but still, no clue what any of this really means
thanks, I got tired after looking through the first one. I think it's "filled" the air with warmth and smells, though, not "tiled".
@@rosethorn7923 that would make way more sense tbh, good eye
@@datguyuno98 The first two parts sound like memories (maybe of Kittyhorrorshow's childhood?). They read like somewhat verbose and melancholic diary entries. The third one has references to Greek mythology, and might not be anything deeper than the author wanting to write very poetically about a Greek tale.
Kitty and her theme of houses and places as living organisms has always been a huge inspiration for me. Once I wrote a sociological essay on haunted houses and somehow crediting Anatomy as a source (alongside Hill House and House of leaves) got a permission from my university, which not only shows how layered and impactful her creations are, but also that even scholars are impressed enough with her work to consider it a valid source. To me she will always be THE artist of the flesh and spaces, and I cannot overstate the impact her games have had on my own work.
Her writing really taps into something special for me. Somehow the inclusion of biological/organic elements being compared to houses/childhood memories unlocks a specific compartment of my brain. As a kid, I was always terrified of biology. I understood from a very young age that people and animals are mushy, organ-filled constructs. It was cool to me, but also left me afraid of many things. Trying to put thoughts about death, disease, and injury out of my mind put me in headspaces a lot like some of Kitty's games. Torn between the discomfort of our physical bodies, but warmed by the non-physical feelings and experiences we share with each other.
Also, the concept of your childhood (especially your home) is like a _living organism_ that molds and changes you, is deeply fascinating to me. I don't know what else to write. She blends concepts of organics, life/death, together with intangible concepts in a way that's really weird to think about. Cuz in a way, they're the same thing. Memories and emotions come from very real experiences put unto the body. And of course the general sapphic vibes that come writing about longing/nostalgia while using tons of flesh metaphors. It's all so good.
I love anatomy, and really any sort of home-based horror, reminds me a lot of House of Leaves
house of leaves is my favorite book ever i'm excited to finish this video
me too! something about a house being the root of the haunting and not just haunted is so eerie and cool
Jacob Geller made a similar video years ago and it really threw me down this rabbit hole. Really happy to see this topic catching on with more quality video analysis like this!
@@miffedmeff7302 same dude, same.
God house of leaves is so good. I can’t wait to try and finish it.
The distorted text reads "but i need you here" it doesnt want us, but needs us.
It's good to feel needed
46:19 (spoilers for Anatomy) there's only one ending -- the cassette on the basement floor -- but the sequence between "YOU NEVER CAME BACK" and that ending changes. You're either a) walking towards the now mountain-sized house until a door appears in the hill below (and your only control is W); b) you're free-roaming through a construction zone until you get to the front door of the house, c) you're free-roaming in a maze of flesh and your exit is finding a final cassette that is indecipherably garbled but sounds like someone else is speaking to you through it. people have suggested there's a fourth sequence but i haven't seen it; anyone out in the comments here know if it exists?
I think I might have gotten the forth sequence recently it placed the player on this weird labyrinth platform similar to 000000FF0000 with red tendrils or lightning coming out of the sky aswell as large tape recorders I unfortunately forgot to grab any screenshots since I was busy commentating on the game to a friend but I'll see if I can get the sequence again
yes, i'm soooooo happy to see kitty horrorshow essay content like this, so many of her games are so fascinating.
also, i sat looking at the text at 21:54 for a sec and it looks like to me it says "but i need you here"
yeah that's what we read too
yeah, i thought. it seemed pretty obvious. not everyone is wired in the same way. i should remember that
saw it as well, is this one about a break up?
@@Mute_Cy_Ren seems to me to be more about the dialogue of art, which can be deeply personal for the artist, and the audience. interpretation is generative, though, so your idea is just as valid as mine
I see your point, the relationship between artist and thier work is very close and kitty's work is very raw to herself@@nemnyoom
Kitty Horrorshow is the sort of artistic bottled lightning that every generation only has about twenty or so of, sometimes less. Her work is so unique and so idiosyncratic you know if she wasn't doing it then no one else would be.
Another I can easily add to that list is yames, the dude makes some of the most unnerving visually cool horror games period.
I don't think this is true. Not that she's not a good artist, but that every generation only has 20 or so. With the advent of social media it has become easier for niche artists to be seen rather than remain obscure and hidden away from the rest of the world.
@@devastatheseeker9967 I was struggling for the words at the time but I stand by this. I'd just add that not only does it (and other examples) feel like something only one person in the world can make, it feels like the wider world was *missing* this before them
@@rudolfambrozenvtuber I understand and respect your opinion but I disagree. You'd be surprised how similarly people are around the world no matter how unique they may be.
Agricultural and Architectural fields in ancient societies were very similar despite having no contact with other nations.
@@rudolfambrozenvtuber While celebrating an artist’s uniqueness is commendable, to claim to know the entire art world is egotistical.
There are artists who don’t get any recognition until they’re dead. Especially since some big artists will cite inspirations that aren’t nearly/never were as successful as they currently are. There’s also geographical/cultural/financial reasons to consider that might prevent artists from reaching more recognition. Especially with how much lost media there are, it’s unsurprising for artists to just fade into obscurity without any records of their existence. There are more artists out there than what might think.
I don’t think it’s strange for there to have existed artists like this who didn’t gain recognition for numerous factors. Art often is, like you said, bottled lightning. And very often, circumstances aren’t kind to artists. The internet has presented new opportunities that didn’t exist in the past.
It's most likely not intentional, but Kitty's name sounds an awful lot like "Gregory Horror Show" an old old Japanaese horror program in the format of shorts. The main locale is "Gregory House" a sort of hotel existing in its own world, described as a sort of beacon to wayward souls. I know it's most likely not related, but they have somewhat similar themes and names, and the show itself is really, really fun.
All the episodes are in English on UA-cam, I'd recommend giving the first season a watch if nothing else.
I could have sworn that was a game and not a show. Been years though.
I still think of that one guy shouting "JUDGEMENT!!!" whenever i see the word haha.
@@trustytrest It was a show first, and got a game adaptation later.
Her work has always resonated with me. I am also Trans with a lot of religious trauma and the themes and atmosphere perfectly encapsulates the often times painful,guilt ridden, isolating experience that is being Trans or GNC.
You are an outcast, a stranger in your own skin and sometimes all you want is a place to fit in...even if it's a desolate world.
Damn dude hope you find your crowd someday
Jesus Christ loves you
@@blake2697This isn't the best place to say that when this person stated they had religious trauma.
Trauma means something bad happened that scar them in relation to that.
So please don't reply this on statements similar to this, because you may revive a bad moment that can hurt them
"religous trauma" aka going to church for an hour on Sunday
@@kanichenhaus You do not know what they have gone through.
Tons of kids have been molested in churches, physically abused, etc.
Do not speak on a situation you don't understand or know
I think I might know what the story of 0F is. The method of storytelling is a bit more abstract, but I can still come up with my own interpretation. As someone who has struggled with anxiety/depression and has also attempted suicide, the story of 0F resonates with me greatly. The concept of a living pile of code not wanting to be found or wishing for their painful breakdown-laden existence to end is a feeling I know all too well. And the end of the game, to me, makes the meaning of the game incredibly clear. The game already hints at the deeper story with lines like “I don’t want you here,” a feeling that someone like me who has isolated myself from others so I could bask alone in my own pain many times finds very familiar. But the figures at the end that almost look like they’re hanging, and the game closing itself at the end, almost as if it’s ending it’s own suffering… just gives me chills knowing what it means to me.
I hope you're doing okay now :
@@AmberRedspark Thanks, trying my best! :3
Hi Sagan, fantastic video as always! the distorted text at 21:50 reads "but I need you here." :)
I've been trying to find the "four short games about pain" for MONTHS now after watching a the mentioned video, and began thinking they were a fever dream. To add to this already brilliant video you managed to free me of my mental itch to find them again. Thank you 😭😭😭
The concept of “places personified and in pain” has been living rent free in my silly little skull ever since I heard about Anatomy.
Funny enough I found Jacob Geller from looking up the audio of Anatomy because I loved the voice on the tapes so much.
Seeing anyone talk about Kitty Horror Show’s stuff just makes my day
It's a little oddball but I think the album Tallahassee by the Mountain Goats also does 'environment as character in the horror' pretty well. The house on Southwood Plantation Road that the couple moves into is just as much of a character in their spiraling relationship as they are. It's all throughout the album, it's the main character in the songs Southwood Plantation Road and The House That Dripped Blood. The very first line on the album is "Window facing an ill-kept front yard", the album is about the couple but their home is mentioned first. Cloven hoof prints turn up in the garden, the house's cellar door is referred to as an open throat, it's frequented by fat crows, vultures and peafowl. Nothing stays buried on Southwood Plantation Road. The house is a rotten, evil thing. Perhaps made more evil by the couple that lives inside of it, perhaps it was evil before, and it makes them worse.
i'm always saying this !!!! tallahassee is a haunted house movie !!!
@@nightshadetq2453 It really, really is, I am glad I'm not alone in thinking this lol
yyyYYESSSSSS AHHHHHHHHH🤬🤬🤬🤬 i love john darnell im gonna freak 😣😝
@ yessss!!! Yayyy!! Let’s freak together!!!
Kitty Horrorshow is such an underrated artist and game developer! Thank you for showing them some much deserved love!!
Glad these are all (for the most part) self contained stories that we can fly through without having to carry the knowledge of the previous game to the next. Hurts the brain less.
Im glad she gets love. Such a great dev. I hope she still makes shit. She was so nice.
Speaking of authors who inspired Anatomy, it reminds me vividly of a Ray Bradbury short story "There Will Come Soft Rains," about a futuristic house continuing to go through its automated processes, such as making the bed and making breakfast, long after its owner & occupant are gone.
i'm always really gratified whenever content creators nod to things like a character picking up hormones without dwelling on it or making a scene about it -- you discussed it when it's relevant, didn't make a thing™about it when it wasn't, and let this character (and kitty) continue as they are. it's a small comfort in an increasingly crazy world.
So it can't just be me that realizes Hate, the Goddess, is present in some form in almost every single one of these games right? Either as a mysterious statue/artifact, one perspective of the story being told, or her ever-present insects. I just love when even seemingly disconnected works by a creator still have some sort of common yet hidden thread. So cool.
38:47
Something makes me think of autumn.
Warm house. The house where I grew up.
My mother's house, really, for she lined it with decor, filled the air with warmth and smells, oregano and cinnamon. The sky was dark gray. Soft clothing. Security.
I remember having so much time. The years that far back are not a tunnel but a field where time overlaps and memories coalesce, and there is not one day after the other but a single emergent childhood. And I remember the gray sky and the back yard, sparse and wind-blown, and the warm candle-light inside. The bright kitchen chandelier.
Remember our beagle?
All the home-cooked dreams with the air cold outside, and the wide windows of the living room so much taller than I. So much gray sky in their glass, darkening into lowering night. Back then the air smelled like smoke and leaves. There is no autumn like that anywhere else, or at any other time.
The back-yard, empty and fenceless, was like a proving ground for autumn's ghosts. The trees were thin and skeletal, the grass flat as it slid down toward the cul-de-sac beyond. And I remember the gray sky darkening into lowering night, and the dry cold of the air, and the pleasant autumn smells of the house where I sit inside, safe. Secure.
Fuck, I miss it.
There's nothing I wouldn't give to go back.
deciphering this to type it all out gave me such a little ache in my heart. i'll try the other two if i recover
Kittie is one of my favorite horror creators and I wish they were a novelist so I could dissect her writing. I’m so happy that you made a video on them, I’m always hungry for essays of their work so one from one of my favorite creators is a delight
id give anything for transcripts of her work or something, im a total wuss and cant play her games at all but shes such a creative inspiration for me. i would love to consume her stories in a more traditional format, but im so glad they exist within the worlds they do. i just wish i wasnt so scared of them so i could fully appreciate them LOL
obligatory nuclear power is actually fairly safe and that its bad reputation is hampering the transition from fossil fuels comment
im not a scientist so dont takey word as anything short of a ego boost to me. from the few stuff i read, its people being greedy ignoring all work safety instructions for money and power.
You came a long way, man. Proud of you and your works.
words cannot express how excited i am to see more coverage of kitty horrorshow, especially from a creator as fantastic as sagan.
Really loving the video, the topic you chose is great! I really like 00000FF0000 and its overtly aggressive theme, it said "but I need you here."
“I knowwhichhouseisyours”
The horrors of American suburbia where all houses look similar
I was one of the people that saw Anatomy when it entered the spotlight and have only just recently discovered how many more games the creator has made since then. Thanks for sharing Kitty Horrorshow's work, it seems like I have a lot to pick from for this October ❤
I am absolutely FASCINATED by the way these games are done! Also I think at 21:50 it says “but it needs you here” at least that’s what I think it makes out!
If you like these games I’d highly recommend checking out the games made by Cosmo D. The experiences he makes are really one of a kind. Mixing unique storytelling with fantastic and dynamic music composition, his Off-Peak/Norwood games are truly beautiful and will have you coming back many times to get a complete grasp of the stories.
"Gotta feed them leeches babygirl" is gonna be in my head forever now
kitty horrorshow is one of my fave artists PERIOD and i love seeing analysis of her art!! great video!!
I havent even watched the video yet but I already just want to express my absolute undying love for Anatomy. It's one of my favorite games, I quote it all the time, and it introduced me to kittyhorrorshow who I then went on to love everything else of. 000000FF0000 especially hits home as someone who thinks a lot about the relationship between media and viewers. Her writing is so, so vivid and wonderful. I'm a big fan, and I'm really happy to see one of my favorite youtubers analyze her stuff.
I saw kitty horrorshow in the title and was like, oh cool I'm sure I haven't seen this one in a while. Imagine my delight moments later realizing it was a new one from you! We feast like kings!
This video was wonderful, as always, but I wanna comment on how I love the little bits of humor in your videos, like the slip up trying to say "cityscape". It's a nice break and I really appreciate it.
Playing these games actually reminded me a lot of Gamevial Shockwave titles from the late 2000's
These games, with their primitive texture work, trippy visuals and empty worlds all came back to me after experiencing a few of Kitty's titles.
I never heard of kitty, im quite happy to have met her work today!
as both an artist and filmmaker, Kitty Horrorshow is my BIGGEST influence. i simply cannot overstate the importance of her work to me.
Oh my god I love kitty horrorshow I'm so glad you're doing a video on her work :DDD
At 21:51, it looks like the text says "but i need you here" (what a wonderful follow up to the previous message)
At 22:52, maybe "the tide, the sea, the wake, the crook of her arm"
with the original text, it would have been
"but i nEed you here"
"ttHe tidE, the the sSEA the thHHHe wAke the the, cROOK of her aARM"
not sure how much it'd add to the analysis but it does fit in!
Here Is Where I Carve My Heart’s poem made me genuinely cry in a way that I wasn’t expecting. It touched my heart, especially the little bird line because my chosen name is Robin 😭
I've been a huge fan of Kitty Horrorshow for the last few years, so I'm glad to see someone give her some flowers. ngl I was worried something happened to her because she stopped posting things for a few years only to pop up and disappear again. I guess they're just the type to not have a strong online presence outside of their work. Either way, I hope she continues to creat games, I can safely say she's one of my big inspirations for moods and settings.
Bro I didn't even watch the video yet but just listened to your tracks after that opening, I thought it was Joy Division, the second one was like Dark Ambient EDM like Booka Shade or Aphex Twin and the last one could easily be a Mars Volta interlude, that was epic.
Spoilers for House of Leaves before the intro also got me super hyped for my second favourite book to get more exposure. You can't spoil that ride, it's impossible.
kitty horrorshow's works have such inherent transness to them, that even from a second hand interpretation there's so much that stands out to me about them. it's the familiar horror, something that is hard to explain but always present, like the a pain you always grew up with and just learned to get used to and tune out. Even in the inexplicable and incomprehensible, there's just something so familiar about what she's crafted.
I just subscribed to your channel like 12 hours ago and you already drop ANOTHER banger? What have I done to be so lucky?
The really funny thing is when I was younger and played a couple of their games, I felt most were boring and pretentious nonsense. But as I've grown older and replayed several I've really grown to love and appreciate a ton of them. Im still more fond of the liminally weird games like the strange castle one in haunted cities vol.2 but I now really really appreciate their horror work too.
Damn, nearly broke me hearing the whole transgender experience theory. I can directly attest to the hell that transitioning is. Hearing about it on an ARG-like content almost made me break down. I put the video as background audio originally as I cooked food, but it really did made me freeze up to take a moment to realize what I just heard. The girl that made this is really talented. I hope she makes more content. Considering I'm a sucker for ARGs, one that directly relates to the pain of expectations, transformation and acceptance really did feel like shell shock to me.
downloading chryza to someone elses computer without their knowledge to epically prank them
Amazing stuff Sagan as always. Do you think you'll ever revisit the Digital Ghost series' that you covered a few months back? I'd love to hear your opinion and speculation on some of the new developments in those series
I was going through my subscriptions yesterday and saw your channel pop up and the only thought was "ooh, can't wait for a new upload. Bet it's gonna be great like the usual vids." about 20 minutes later I see this. Perfection. Keep up the grind Sagan!
As a long time fan of Kitty Horrorshow and trans person, I'm really glad you picked up on the recurring themes of bodies, the way they trap and harm us, and the ways we seek to transcend them. A lot of the poetry hidden in Kitty's games touch me on an incredibly deep level, to the point where I feel pretty comfortable saying that Kitty's games come from a trans perspective, despite me not knowing her personally. Her themes of the horrors and triumphs of bodies have made me a fan for life.
i totally agree, having only just watched this now. i think her specific genre of horror (the body as the horror, the body having horrors done to it and still living, the body wanting something but given a terrifying alternative instead) is also very interesting when looked at from a political perspective. it's pretty well documented that horror reflects political climate-- now, as womens' bodies and trans bodies are more scrutinized and policed than ever, it's incredibly painful and raw to look at. i 100% agree that this is very much from a trans perspective.
Flesh is a trap for everyone. While some wish to climb into bodies they imagine will better define their soul, others are fully aware that no internal comfort would come from any external change. And a select few know that no peace, nor joy, will ever soothe a soul so wounded. I feel like this game developer knows that skin can be worn like a uniform, if it pleases the wearer, and it can be shed all the same; but, in the end, it's nothing more than a covering.
Gay 😢
@@blackmonish hi, im also another trans person. please do not imply that transformation is only external for us. we are fully aware that external changes will not always bring internal change. thanks
ive been waiting for what seems like so long for your newest upload, you're the only creator i anticipate content from
at 21:50 i believe the distorted text states "but i need you here" which is interesting since it contrasts the previous statement. after the several themes of the game not wanting to be played i wonder why it has that. but anyway great video, your content is always very refreshing and new compared to the other redundant stuff out there
Weirdly enough, I'm reminded of Sim City 2000, or, at least, one small part of it. If you look at the information for a library you've built, there is a button you can click to bring up a short poem of sorts. It talks about how a city is like a living thing, with all it's moving parts to keep things running, and how each city has it's own personality. It's an idea that's always stuck with me ever since I first found it as a kid.
For some reason, when watching the video, I feel like I'm playing The Beginner's Guide
yo shout out to brinelex brine, media preservation like that is so important
I commented once how excited I'd be to see an episode on Kitty Horror Show and now it's real! Yaaayyyy! :D
The title made me think this was a nexpo video, glad to see its yours! I missed your content since my initial binge
Haven't watched the video yet, but i first heard about kitty's works through Jacob Geller's essay so im excited to hear more about it from another awesome creator!
The title says "Spoilers for House of Leaves" and I'm already so fucking excited to hear you talk about it, just read it this year and it was... quite a journey.
My interpretation of the 000ff000 text "built into one god, many where here." I've seen a lot of people say it says "but I need you here" but I feel like my interpretation explains alot of the stuff in the game. The giant flesh wall pulling you into itself. The people feeling trapped in cages. The people being gone. Let Me know if anyone has any thoughts on this.
it says "but i need you here"
@@Eveyevy is there an actual confirmation?
@@duppythepuppy2636 Its the clearest option, while your interpretation needs more letters to be added in, this interpretation needs only the letters that are already here, maybe it has a double interpretation if you fill in the blanks though idk
this was an incredible video and I'm astounded at the beauty and horror, poetry and dread, that kitty horrorshow packed into these games. her exploration of the body as a house and the house as a body is fascinating. and at 51:48, that line: "I know which house is yours", sent chills down my spine; not necessarily out of fear, but of understanding. somehow i just knew what that meant the moment i heard it.
Every time he pronounces Nuclear as Nucular I want to scream ;-;
Content warning but the TL;DR is I completely understand how a house can reflect the trauma we experienced there because my family and I have been through it.
On the note of houses being reflections of the trauma we endure there, a metaphorical nuclear bomb went off in the life of my family a few months before I turned 21 and my mother couldn’t bear to stay in the house she was living in at the time - after learning the shit that had been going on without her knowing while she was struggling through the early onset and diagnosis period of living with a chronic illness - because it made her feel physically sick to be there. There are certain roads in that region I used to live that make me want to hyperventilate when a vehicle I’m in travels along them because I remember taking them in the car with someone who emotionally abused me back then - and believe it or not, that’s not even the worst of that person’s actions.
Anatomy has been and always will be my favorite horror game. I have never once played a game that has, personally, filled me with so much dread. It is a game I will always respect and always recommend.
So I must say thank you for not only mentioning Anatomy, but the rest of the creator's works.
Dude, I'm a huge fan of Clipping! Wriggle is one of my favorite songs of his.
i’ve literally never given a shit about games except the sims four, you’ve got a nice way to drawing a stranger in and keeping that attention.
24:47 on the discussion of "jank", this is the reason why i did not find the security breach DLC scary at all. The game tries to be dirty, unkept, crusty - but its so polished at the same time. It's "too" polished so your immersion is broken.
I was littterally re watching the marble hornets one lol, I’m so excited for this one!!!
This game series reminds me of games by Scriptwelder. Scriptwelder made really good games that are surreal and have so many questions to ask. Games like don’t escape 1 where you’re a werewolf and you’re trying to lock yourself in for the full moon make me wonder what the world is like. And of course, all the games are loosely connected.
21:52 Pretty sure it says “but I need you here”
21:50 says "but I need you here", a continuation of the previous "I don't want you here"
We as gamers need to share her games with our kids. My son is 14...he is ready.
Ju.p scares startle you ...kitty horror makes you lay in bed thinking after you have played them
I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend Oleander Garden's games (on Steam and Itch) to anyone and everyone who enjoys Kitty Horrorshow's work. Her Pagan and Hexcraft games have been my favourite discovery for less than the price of a sandwich this year.
19:03 not to hate or anything, but as a trans person, I hate that anything and everything that deals with 'transformation' is suddenly about 'gender identity' and 'transgenderism' even if it is no where close to it... like hell "escaping my physical form and becoming something else, something infinite and yet indescribable" is not "I am trans or (X Gender) and have a bad life" like those are two completely different things and as I said, I hate when its brought up so randomly and flippantly
Unfortunately, nuance is dead and anything else is istaphobic
also as a trans person, i thought of the exact same connection long before he said anything and felt kinship with the game immediately for it. it's not really "random" nor lacking in nuance to connect the dots - a transition *is* a transformation. many of us want it to be a transformation to something new and beautiful and strange all the same. it's sad that you refuse to engage with that lens of the experience entirely. does all media, even the intentionally vague, have to be explicitly about being trans for one to ever analyze it through the experience? ...why? how limiting.
moreover hawkes isn't even saying it's _about_ being trans. he said it'd be potentially familiar and empathetic for trans people. are you upset he thought to bring it up at all? i hope you get better, truly.
@@elwind179 Maybe its because I just see it everywhere nowadays as an extreme introvert, more than anything, but from what I can remember of the video, I was thinking of it as more of like Apotheosis, rather than "Trans people". And mix that with it being related to a cult with what's currently being said about us and I suppose it just hit wrong...
@@elwind179 It's literally being everywhere now, so it's really hard to not rage... "Support them" is coming from every single person now, which is already going the opposite way of "SHIT, I heard this message so damn much that I'll hate the group they're refering to just out of SPITE.".
Like really, not everything should be about trans, LGBT... Sometimes you want everyone to ignore the orientation IN GENERAL. Just like "Okay, fine, you exist. Should I be happy because you exist? No, I don't care, just go live your life.". People are basically celebrating that they're a man wearing dresses and having long hair/a woman wearing pants and having short hair... Or that they f*ck a particular gender.
It's just overwhelming already...
(No hate to you though. Most people of LGBT community are sweet. It's just me being tired. Cause it's not "true love" already. It's a trend everyone's following, and people who truly feel like being the wrong gender/loving their own gender are overshadowed by the ones who are trying to grab attention/brainwashed into being a part of LGBT cause "TV told me gays are cool". Sorry if you're somehow offended by my rant. I just... Don't really have people to speak my mind out, cause most immediately tell me off for being a jerk/go into really strange topics of what to do with LGBT teenagers.)
the music in this is insanely good, the intro post-punk song is top notch
Cant believe nobody else is upset he stopped the video at 1:23:44 instead of giving it 1 more second 😡
Omg so excited for the House of Leaves video!!! I hope you get to talk about Skinamarink a bit in that one lol, I would love to hear your analysis and thoughts!
A great day is a day where a UA-camr posts a hourlong horror video to enjoy ☆
I’m really glad I saw you community post because UA-cam did not show me this video and you are literally one of my favorite videos. I probably would have stumbled upon this video in 3 months when I rewatch your petscop video for the millionth time. I’m so sorry UA-cam isn’t showing your content to people because you make consistently amazing content !!
Walking simulator and audio jumpscare
Glad to see another upload. Love your vids, I’m really liking all of the video essays as of late!
Love your content man! Specially fnaf!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Okay I had to watch this twice because your voice is so soothing and I was so tired I passed out after you read the poem toward the beginning. 😂
"Rain, House, Eternity" being about choosing to end your life for other's expectations or to abandon your physical form, becoming the "queen and the kingdom" I can not NOT read the transgender metaphor.
I have an alternate interpretation of at least some of the works, I feel the unified story has been split in half, half is a retreat into a horrifically flawed understanding of science and the other is the people left behind within the unknowns of mysticism. I could also see it being in thirds, one a journey of the mind, 'safe' within the embrace of technology, the second the perversion of the body, those unable to make the exodus, and the final third an exploration into the theology left behind, a search for the souls that were lost.
Unfortunately I don't really know much about mysticism and theology, but I know enough about science to identify potential alternatives within some of the works, most notably:
To me FF looks like we've stumbled upon the horrific aftermath of a failed upload, an attempt to take a person and digitize their consciousness, a worst and most perverse kind of body horror, the mutilation of a mind. Likely an early attempt at such a feat, it showcases that the mind isn't MEANT to run on our honestly archaic generalized processing structures or stored in hierarchical file structures, so the files are buried within a nonsensical maze that was once a tangle of neurons and when launched it seems corrupted. We're blundering through the imploding mind of some poor soul, their remaining consciousness crashing and collapsing and fracturing because it's running on a framework never meant to support it. The entire experience is the collapse of a being of a death more horrific than any natural one.
Rain, House, Eternity looks to be a person that 'ascended' and became part of the underlying simulation.
Dust City might be an exploration of a simulation 'ark' one that held many minds within, in hopes to outlive the apocalypse, but underwent data rot due to the raw timescales involved. The Sigils their last thoughts as they abstracted away into oblivion.
Tenement seems to be similar ark, but one that has not yet degraded to the rot or been damaged, the residents successful and complete uploads, placed in the simulation to wait out the apocalypse.
Ah man, what did Hello Kitty do this time?
Flayed and inverted his dick and connect part of his colon to the end of the now eternally open wound apparently.
One thing that really impresses me about some of her games is how they offer narratives in scraps without ever painting a full picture, but it’s always more intriguing than frustrating. They’re like Chris Van Allsburg’s Mysteries of Harris Burdick, tantalizing little nuggets your imagination can’t help but expand into much bigger stories.
As a trans person and a queer person who adores her games, I'd just like to point out that a lot of the themes in her art can also be read to reflect our experiences-- the experience of living inside of a body that is hostile to you, the themes of body horror and trauma and abandonment. It's difficult to put into words, but there is a unique kind of darkness that features into queer horror, particularly the work of trans artists-- I think it's the deeper examination of the relationship between the body and the mind, the unique way we experience having a body and inhabiting it, the inherent discomfort of existing in a form that everyone tells you wasn't made for you.
Also, I pointed this out on Jacob Geller's video as well, but I was struck by something he said about Exclusion Zone that summarized the people's relationship to the goddess incredibly well: "they didn't know how to love her." And you know what that reminds me of? A mentally ill or queer/trans child whose parents don't know how to love them the way they need. It reminds me of my own parents, who I know love me very much, but whose treatment of me when I was younger left permanent scars on me, and it was because I was a severely mentally ill and queer child that they didn't know how to love right. They didn't know what I needed, and I couldn't explain it to them, since I didn't have the right words to communicate it myself. And so, in pain and loneliness, we lashed out at each other instead, causing immense amounts of damage. They wanted to help me, but they had no idea how to do it, and anything they tried only made my pain worse. To me, that's what Exclusion Zone is about-- the agony of loving someone that you can't help or communicate with properly, and the terrible damage that's left in the wake of such a relationship, whether it's between partners or within a family.
Kitty Horrorshow made several titles with Unity, incl. Anatomy, so please everyone do your best to enjoy them now before Unity's disgusting price gouging kicks in Jan 1 2024. Really hoping Unity reverses course on their decision entirely.