Living Worlds – Mark Ferrari

Pixfabrik

About this app

** Includes live wallpaper! **

This Living Worlds app is a modern recreation of a set of dynamic pixel art scenes first published in the early 90s as part of an "illustrated personal organizer" named Seize the Day, and seen as screenshots across the Internet since then. These scenes were created by Mark Ferrari, legendary artist from such classic games as Loom and The Secret of Monkey Island as well as the recent Thimbleweed Park. Now, 25 years later, Ian Gilman, the original software developer, has resurrected the Living Worlds, with Mark's support and additional code from Joseph Huckaby. There may be copycats, but this is the only authentic version from the original creators!

This release of the app contains all twelve of the original scenes in their full glory. The sun rises and falls in real time, storms pass through, flowers bloom, the moon and stars cross the sky. Smaller details like chimney smoke and animal footprints come and go. The image "lives" throughout the day, drawing you in, suggesting stories, and rewarding quiet observation.

In addition to the classic graphics, each scene includes a new "Logbook" story written by Mark Ferrari and ambient soundscapes designed by Ian Gilman.

Join us for this 25th anniversary celebration of these unique artworks!

Ratings and reviews

The scenery is gorgeous and I love all the little details. And the narrative is a great addition. I also enjoyed being able to go back to see what I missed or fast forward. But I really wish you could move the screen from side to side when zoomed in. Maybe have a toggle option to do that instead of scrolling through time?

GORGEOUS pixel art that changes with the time and the season! Every now and then the live wallpapers go dark and I have to change the settings to make them pop up again, but these things are from the 90s so it's understandable it has a few hiccups. Each wallpaper has a fun checklist of things to spot through the day.

The art is absolutely gorgeous and I've enjoyed just occasionally pulling up the app to watch from time to time. I would consider this money very well spent! That said, there are a couple issues- as others have noted, the contrast between the device font and some of the backgrounds is rubbish (especially noticeable with white font and a snowy January, or dark font and any night scene). It's also hard knowing that I am missing some of the art just 'cause I don't want to have empty screen space.

What's new

* December sounds!