At the recent SUBMARINER Network Member’s Assembly in Berlin, our TIDAL ArtS Lighthouse Calls artists NeoNature presented their project Echoes of the Deep, with founders Kassandra Hyun and Johannes Fuchs introducing the work to SUBMARINER members and partners.

The project is a virtual reality game experience set in the Baltic Sea, allowing players to explore two alternative future scenarios: one shaped by environmental degradation and legacy pollution, and another defined by protection, restoration, and biodiversity. Through this dual-world structure, players encounter underwater landscapes ranging from seagrass meadows to ghost nets, war munitions, and dead zones, experiencing how different choices lead to very different marine futures.

Developed by NeoNature, an arthouse game studio working at the intersection of environmental communication, science, and interactive design, Echoes of the Deep aims to foster emotional connection to the sea, deepen marine literacy, and inspire action beyond the screen. The project is structured in thematic chapters addressing biodiversity, pollution, and historical war impacts in the Baltic Sea.

The presentation at the Member’s Assembly highlighted the growing role of immersive media and game-based storytelling within marine awareness and citizen engagement. Early public playtests at events such as Berlin Science Week and Kunsthalle Düsseldorf have shown strong interest, with many participants asking for continued access to the experience.

As part of the TIDAL ArtS Lighthouse Calls portfolio, Echoes of the Deep shows the potential of creative practice to open up new ways of understanding and caring for Europe’s seas.

We can’t wait to follow its next stages and continue being part of this creative and wonderful journey!