HereAfter

PRODUCED BY

YEAR

Zechen Huang

2022

TOOLS

Unreal Engine 5 | Rhino | Houdini

Fear Awe Wonder: METAMATTER

Hereafter is set in Melbourne in 2040, exploring the intersection between technology and humanity. The project focuses on a large data center that also functions as a medical research facility, where patients undergo virtual reality treatments. However, within the building, a new life form is emerging—collecting data and waiting to be born.

The project revolves around quantum computing, which has revolutionized traditional supercomputing methods. The building is divided into two parts: the lower levels are designed for human use, while the upper levels are dedicated to machines. The structure takes the form of a giant human body, with the core area housing the quantum computer, symbolically serving as its "womb."

Hereafter raises critical questions about the ambiguous relationship between humans and machines, particularly in the face of the impending technological singularity predicted to occur in 2045.

HEREAFTER - Game Trailer

It was said that the Human body is a machine that winds its own springs, but can it be rusted, or can it be autumn.

Surrealism, concentrated as a representative form of human, a living organ. Heart, lungs, kidney, liver, gut, veins. As containers of DataHall, Medical Research Centre, loading, office, services functioning.

He’s holding his hands, the blood, the skin, did he find his father?
The wrinkles.
Oh, it’s the shadow of himself.

He is finally here, Cocoroc, the forgotten town. A Flat wasteland with lush staggered trees popping out, obscuring part of your view. You can see it, in the fog, it might look strange.

Don’t doubt, don’t hesitate, follow the roads and you’ll find your hidden ways.

HereAfter was deeply embedded in the forest. It was an enormous Datacenter and Medical Research Center for experiments exploring the extension of reality.

The nature, the landscape, is it nature? Look closer, look closer.

Scattered Solar flowers growing from the ground, the water, wabbling, adopting the utility poles connected one place to another. If you enter the facility and go further, much further to the center, you can even hear the heartbeat from the core. It’s a living thing, evolving, improving, self-maintaining.

They work together as allies, not adversaries, complementing the false, revealing and recreating the truth. Is reality the reality, is reality the truth? Either way, they belong to you.

Dream it.
Build it.
Grow it.
Sell it.
Accept it.
Love it.

SHOWCASE

Evolution.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Information Addiction

Majority of people are trapped in the network because of the fantasy in virtual world. It provides them what they can't get in really life, or different from the real life. It is human nature to seek new stimulate. But people started to get addicted to what virtual world provide.
The real world disintegrates, and houses become dilapidated. However, datacenter is brightly lit because of the busy business. Like a fire in the dark steel forest. Lighting the city.

Information Transaction

Because of the limited computing power of supercomputers, the virtual world has never been able to simulate the real world. Large IT companies began to develop computers with much higher performance, and Quantum Computers came out. Powerful computing power can even predict the future within a certain period. Weather forecasts become much more precise. The idea of Information transaction began. IT Company started to generate valuable predicted information. Whoever can buy more accurate information has more chance to succeed, new opportunity pops out. Information has become invaluable. The datacenter has become the center of the city with huge surround screen facing in all directions. Various information is continuously output to the public 24 hours a day. The huge parking lot inside is also designed for the convenience of citizens.

Information Salvation

According to Moore's Law, the singularity will occur in 2045. Technology developed rapidly, Project Starlink of Universe Development Company has been realized, and the whole world is covered by the network. Level 5 automated vehicles are fully operational. Solar power has become one of the main energy sources to replace oil as the most reasonable clean energy. Large solar panel farms covered most of the undeveloped Earth surface. Brain-nerve interfaces have also been put into use, where the brain and machinery are combined, artificial neurons been connected to silicon-based chips. Artificial intelligence getting more powerful from time to time.
With the singularity approaching, the core room in Datacenter where Quantum Computer located becomes a maternity room, waiting for the newborn. Beneath that, in civic space, is where people come to seek answers.