Soooo... This is a topic that should be covered, needs to be covered. And while I feel like I'm far from the right person to explore it, and don't have the time to get it covered by someone more knowledgeable, I'll do my best here. That's all any of us can do, really, is try our best :D

Chelsea, another Weird Giraffe Games team member, pointed me to this article from The New York Times. It isn't super long, but it does explore the topic well: while many museum artifacts have been discovered, purchased, and traded for ethically, many more haven't. Graves have been robbed, people have been attacked, items have been stolen, and others have been claimed through threats.

It's so weird, too, because some of the things people are quoted as saying are: "If we give these things back, our museums will be half-empty!" Which, like... yep! That's true! But just because something happened in the past doesn't make the people who still have these objects innocent. "Not the One" by The Offspring comes to mind here: "Still our descendants will inherit our mistakes of today." 

Is having stuff protected behind glass for people to see more important than returning stolen property and giving things back after people have been threatened, attacked, and killed? Things that these people would have to pay to see themselves?

Imagine if something really precious to someone you loved (even if that person is you!) were stolen from you after you were beaten and robbed, or if a family member's grave was dug up and their coffin ripped open, their bones scattered and broken. Now imagine if those things were put behind glass, with a short little description about it placed there, and the only way you could ever see it again was to go to some building far away (maybe even a different building every few months or years as the item moves between museums) and look at it through that glass.

Again, I'm sure I'm not doing this anywhere near the justice it deserves. The fact that I have to imagine and come up with nigh-impossible situations to even relate this much makes me incredibly privileged. And this isn't something that suddenly stopped in the past, it's still going on today.

I didn't design Dreams of Yesterday, nor did I develop it, write the rulebook, or anything else... but I personally see Dreams of Yesterday as obtaining these artifacts the right way. You use money, knowledge, and prestige to get things, not threats, violence, or subterfuge. And the goal of the game is to fix/improve the future by illustrating the lessons and artifacts of the past, which cannot be done by force. After all, whatever terrible future is coming for humanity, it's likely due to our own atrocities and awfulness. Heck, even if it's not, the only way we'll overcome that is by working together! Building the foundation of unity on theft, assault, and other atrocities will never work. 

Note: I'm sure there are museums out there that are lovely and don't hold artifacts gathered unethically. I'm not saying all museums are bad. In fact, basing Dreams of Yesterday on museums is awesome if you ask me! I 100% agree with the importance of learning from and studying the past, and being able to see those actual objects is incredibly powerful. But a part of that power comes from the fact that they were important to people, or an example of something that was ordinary back then but unique and special today. 

Carla pointed out that the artifacts in Dreams of Yesterday are two-word alliterations: Astonishing Antiquities, Bygone Bones, Cultural Curiosities, Diverse Discoveries, and Unusual Urns

Carla also came up with "Fantastic Fauna" and "Explosive Experiments", and I think I like Friendly Fishies (for an aquarium spinoff!), Galactic Garments (or ✨Glittery Garments✨), and Interesting Instruments.

What additional alliterations would be good for artifact types?

I'd love to know what your favorite game that involves time travel is!

You want to know mine? Future me told me that you'd ask that, omg she was right! I knew I should've written down those lotto numbers she rattled off...

I honestly don't think present-me has played a tabletop game involving time travel! I've heard of some and seen some Rahdo Runthroughs and stuff but I can't remember playing any...

As for video games, well, that's easy --> Bioshock: Infinite!

The Lutece twins capture so much of the funkiness of time travel so well, but the whole story and concept do a beautiful job with it. I've played it through twice and even listened to a playthrough video once at work to listen to the story lol. Heck, my name will legally be Elizabeth when I officially change it, and I still think "the bird or the cage" is such a perfect metaphor for being one's truest self. 

So what about you? What's your favorite (video or tabletop) game that features time travel?

Have you been twitching to learn more about the Dreams of Yesterday solo mode? Did you get caught dreaming instead of catching our stream last Thursday where we went live on the Weird Giraffe Games Twitch page to talk about this campaign, teach you how to play, and show off the solo mode of the game? That may be history now, but the video is now on exhibit on our youtube page, just follow this link here: Solo Stream

As you go watch the video, let us know what what discoveries about the game have peaked your interest. Is it the bones of the Dreams of Tomorrow mechanics that brought you here? Maybe it's the artwork by Beth Sobel that peaked your curiosity?  Anything new and astonishing that you're excited to experience as you play? Let us know, and while you're at it share with your friends!

Y'all have been awesome so far and have Urn-ed all the praise we can give for your support as we continue to hit stretch goals. The knowledge that all you backers love our games makes the whole team excited get them into your hands. 

Justin
Play Games Spread Joy

ps: you can tell i enjoy a good pun, how many can you find in the video?

Dreams of Tomorrow is all about sending dreams into the past to avoid a terrible fate, and Dreams of Yesterday is about using relics of the past as a catalyst for change, essentially bringing these items from the past to the present.

So, if you were to dream up another title that uses a new way of traveling (or having objects travel) through time, what would it be?