Moloch: creating games with alternative mental state goals to move beyond flow

The purpose of this thesis research project was twofold. The first was to explore alternatives and expansions to the accepted flow model for player retention and engagement. The second purpose was to create MOLOCH (zero), a game that exemplifies this exploration and serves as a commercial pitch-ready demo; ideally, the first commercial project through Seemingly Pointless. ❧ Over the course of this research effort, several games were developed and released to embody different areas of Csikszentmihalyi's flow model; these also supplement a self-set five-year challenge to make and release 100 games. Cumulatively, they function as a basis of interactivity showcasing various aspects of the flow model. MOLOCH (zero) culminates this exploration and, rather than directly weave through various flow states, allows for a much wider range of player states to exist during play. ❧ In addition, my company Seemingly Pointless was founded in California and legal aspects were completed. With time constraints, MOLOCH (zero) did not reach a few of the intended final polish aspects, however its current version was selected for Out of Index, an experimental games festival in South Korea, and Nonplussed Fest, a festival to showcase emerging artists.