The spirit of old Facebook lives on in a new game called Emily is Away <3
Facebook as we know it is on its way out as the company eyes a so-called pivot to privacy, but its legacy lives on. Developer Kyle Seely — creator of AIM-based visual novels Emily is Away and Emily is Away Too — is working on a new game that aims to recapture the spirit of Facebook in its heyday. Called Emily is Away <3, Seely’s latest game will let players create a “Facenook” account, send friend requests, and enjoy angsty ambiguous statuses.
The game, set in 2008, is a spiritual successor to Seely’s past works. Players navigate the game’s branching story through different dialogue decisions while also sending instant messages and “youtoob” links.
The original Emily is Away focused on the relationship between two high schoolers as...