Nice to Meet You, LittlePrince

　　“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.” –Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

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　　These days, Jun Qing has been rereading The Little Prince. With each reading, Qinggains an even deeper appreciation.

　　The Little Princeis a fairy tale written for adults: Despite its fable-like elements, children may not fully understand it. After all, many only appreciate how precious childhood is once they’ve grown up and undergone some experiences. Indeed, the deeper meaning in the line, “One runs the risk of weeping a little, if one lets himself be tamed,” may be lost on many until adulthood.

　　Most adults encounter loss in some form before they understand the story’s charm. Saint-Exupéry utilizes simple, clear language to weave this nuanced, mature fairy tale, moving readers all over the world since its inception.

　　Indeed, anyone in search of warmth would jump at the chance to experience the world of The Little Prince. That’s just how restorative it is.

　　It makes you believe in the purity of life, and ache over how precious it is.

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　　Unfortunately, reality and fiction remain at a distance, and unless you can jump into the pages of The Little Prince, you may never truly get to experience the world.

　　There are exceptions, of course. As far as Qing is concerned, there may be only two ways to get up-close to experience this tale. One is to find a more immersive reading experience to get in touch with the story’s sense of innocence. On Sept. 19, well-known mobile game Sky held a literary event concerning The Little Princein Hangzhou’s NetEase Snail Library. The event included several activities, such as letter-writing for book-lovers and Sky players alike to share their stories and express how The Little Princeand Sky have resonated with them.

Messages from players online

　　Letters from players at the event

　　A lecture by Zhou Jiajun

　　A player at the event

　　Through this unique exchange, those who’d found meaning in The Little Princeand Sky were also able to find like-minded people.

　　Though some may say each man is an island, the truth is that we’re more connected than we think. This event had a similar effect as the story in The Little Prince: it built bridges between each “island.”

　　Warmth and well-being multiply. Each person shared their feelings about Sky and The Little Prince, and with this mutual exchange, and the “bridge” created with the game, those present could gain deeper insights.

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　　But you can’t mention this literary event without mentioning Sky’s Season of the Little Prince. This is Qing’s other method for getting close to the world of The Little Prince: games. After all, is there anything more immersive than a video game?

　　Just as game developer Chen Xinghan says, “A good piece of art will give viewers an emotional shock and cause them to reflect. In this way, they can grow.” This emphasis on emotional expression is in line with The Little Prince, as well as the thought behind Sky. Chen has even said that part of the inspiration for Sky is his own emotional journey reading The Little Prince.

　　In the Season of the Little Prince, there were seven season missions, each one containing a story.

　　Once each mission was completed, players would see a rose from The Little Princeplaced in a glass case, waiting for the prince’s return. It made for a unique experience. During the long wait, the rose petals fell off one by one, allowing players to see firsthand all the time the rose and the prince spent together. It brings the emotional heft of the book to the forefront once more.

　　To complete the tasks, players had to go on adventures on six planets with the little prince, playing hide-and-seek and exploring the Sanctuary Islands together. Over the course of this exploration, they’d form a deep bond.

　　Should you really consider your role as a player accompanying the little prince in all sorts of the game’s locations, you’d gain a lot of inspiration. Think about it: if the little prince’s journey is to try and reunite with the rose or find the fox, what would be your role as you accompanied him? Friend? Companion? Or passerby who’d leave once the job is done?

　　Sky is a unique game. It’s easy to appreciate that you are not the main character in the game, nor if that’s even the point. Sky calls on your compassion, asking who you are to the little prince and whether that’s even important. Each moment supporting others in the game is a testament to our lives.

　　Sky celebrates giving, not taking.

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　　After completing Sky, it’s easy to see what it has in common with The Little Prince. The two share similar core concepts, which go beyond how they appear in screens or books.

　　It’s a journey in which you come across different scenery and types of people. It is also about a person shedding the weight of loneliness and finding this “emotional taming” that The Little Princehighlights. This is the ultimate meaning of The Little Princeand Sky and why they are so refreshing and moving for people.

　　Playing a good game is just like reading a good book or watching a good movie in that you gain energy from it. Sky utilizes a more modern way to express a classic ideal, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

　　The literary event was also quite meaningful in that it built a bridge between book-lovers and players alike. Players could meet with others who resonated with The Little Prince, while readers could get immersed in the book’s setting in a game. Each person has their own unique take on a story, and their imaginations are merely a piece of a larger puzzle. However, Sky brings all this together and serves as a link between these disparate thoughts, opening a door into the literary world. You could say that this event was precisely the kind of loving adventure found in Sky itself. It helps people revisit what it means to be warm, to be whole, to be human.

　　According to Chen, “Emotions are in high-resolution. Sometimes words can take away from our feelings.” Traversing the world of Sky is like going on a road trip: Whether it is the thrill of the unknown or the wind blowing in your ears, it has an unspoken, restorative effect.

　　What’s more, there will always be a “little prince” to accompany you on this journey.

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