Carambola
Carambola is a VR puzzle game (VR escape room!) about preserving astrological fables and spreading cultural awareness. It introduces the constellation system to second-generation American immigrants through riddle solving and immersive experinces.
Trailer >>>
Overview
Timeline
15 weeks
My Role
Assistant Level & Narrative Designer
Game Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Platform
PC + VR
Genre
Educational Escape Room
Team Size
9
A relative has left a property to you,
With two keys and a will.
One key opens the front door,
But the other...
As an Assistant Game Designer, I am responsible for crafting level puzzles and polishing the narrative within the game.
The puzzles draw inspiration from the rich lore of Chinese & Greek constellations, weaving captivating narratives from both cultures into an engaging VR environment where interactivity & fun take centre stage.
Accomplishments
Successfully completed the game production(with the team) in the time frame.
Designed puzzles for the last level of the game.
Created in-game letters for the players.
Polished and worked on the narrative of the game.
Created riddles for puzzle solving.
Assisted final-year students in their capstone project.
Gameplay Loop
1
Players will gain knowledge about constellations through texts and hints placed in the level.
2
Players will use the knowledge to solve the puzzles.
3
The narrative will progress in between each puzzles to lead the story.
Process
Research
We spent a lot of time researching stories and legends related to Greek and Chinese constellations.
Brainstorming
After we had an understanding of constellations, we brainstormed puzzles that would integrate the constellations & feel comfortable with VR.
Brainstorming sketches
Level Design Blockout
Introduction & Tutorial
Chinese Constellation Chamber
Greek Constellation Chamber
Setting
To incorporate the puzzle elements and riddles, the environment needs to support the puzzles rather than provide a space for the puzzle elements to exist.
The game consists of 4 different levels:
Introduction
Tutorial
First chamber (Greek constellations)
Second chamber (Chinese stars).
Each chamber will exist in its own scene to account for hardware limitations. To move/transition between the chambers, the players will teleport (be met with a loading screen) rather than walk to the next chamber upon exiting the previous chamber.
Learning Outcome
Creating a game focused on cultural themes and self-discovery.
Developing distinctive puzzles specifically for virtual reality.
Ensuring player engagement, regardless of their connection to Chinese culture.
Finding ways to avoid repetitiveness in gameplay.
Addressing VR discomfort in the gameplay design process.
