This week, the entire team worked tirelessly to prepare for our Playtest Day demo. Our goal was to showcase not only the core interactions and gameplay but also to integrate stronger narrative elements and the shared experience we previously prototyped.
Key milestones include:
- Opening Sequence Integration: Completed the introductory flow, incorporating UI, animations, spatial audio, and VFX.
- Refined Interaction: Iterated on the “Mouse” and “Paper Crane” interactions multiple times to ensure a seamless alignment between the virtual and physical worlds.
- Multiplayer Capability: Successfully implemented a two-headset connection, allowing players to go through the experience together.
- Narrative Props: Developed physical props that enhance the story, such as a custom notebook, magnets, and food cans.
Progress Overview
- Opening Sequence Completion:
- Magic Letter: Finalized animations, audio, and materials.
- Magic Circle: Integrated interaction, sound, VFX, and physical prop alignment.
- The Two Spirits: Optimized materials, animation, lighting, spatial movement, and interactive triggers.
- “Mouse” Interaction Finalized:
- Spatial footprints and seamless integration between the rat hole and physical environment.
- Interaction between the virtual rat and physical knowledge/props.
- Polished rat animations, sound effects, VFX, and textures.
- “Paper Crane” Interaction Finalized:
- VFX and animations for the cranes emerging from the clock.
- Magnet mechanics: targeting audio and crane interaction logic.
- Physical Prop:
- Notebook.
- Integration of technical code/markers into physical props.
I. Art Progress
To maintain a smooth workflow, the art team continues to stay one week ahead of technical implementation. In preparation for the Playtest Day, we conducted several internal pre-playtests. These sessions revealed a few missing transitional animations and assets we hadn’t previously anticipated, which the art team promptly addressed and finalized.
II. Tech Progress
The technical team faced significant pressure this week, managing the complex integration of physical props, audio, animations, 3D models, UI, and VFX into a cohesive logic framework. Beyond feature implementation, they focused heavily on bug fixing based on user behavior and ensuring the stability of the networked experience.
III. Playtest Progress
We conducted a full day of playtesting this Saturday. To test the effectiveness of our in-game guidance system, we only briefed participants on the physical boundaries of the space; all other instructions were delivered through the experience itself.
- Results: Despite varying group sizes and adjusted session times, every group successfully completed the experience. 🎉🎉🎉SOOO HAPPY!!!
- Feedback: Survey results were overwhelmingly positive. Players found the new interaction model “immersive,” “magical,” and “intuitive.”
- Areas for Improvement: We received valuable suggestions regarding finer goal guidance and the nuances of interacting with the “Spirit” characters. These insights will be integrated into our next development cycle.
What’s Next
- Refining the Opening Sequence:
- Polishing audio feedback loops.
- Enhancing the Spirits to make them feel more vivid and responsive.
- Fridge Interaction: Begin testing and prototyping fridge-based mechanics.
- Environmental Interaction: Start implementing interactions for the windows and plants.