A local multiplayer game in which both players compete against each other despite being glued together.
Ludic Game | Student Group Project | Unity Engine | Concept / Animation | 8 Weeks
My responsibilities included:
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Concept Art
I directed a visual language and style for the characters, setting and collectible bugs to make sure they are easy to read even during gameplay. -
2D Animation
I produced simple four-frame animations for four different types of collectible bugs. -
UI Design
I produced assets for the UI of the game, using a wooden theme to complement the tropical and vibrant setting of the game.
Behind the Scenes
Background
When our group was given the prompt „symbiosis,“ we immediately thought of creating a couch co-op game that would require close collaboration between players to succeed. However, we wanted to add a unique twist to the gameplay and decided to make it a competitive game instead.
We came up with a simple yet engaging concept: both players enter a friendly competition to eat as many bugs as possible.
The catch? Players are glued together and thus can’t act independently from each other!
The Process
This project was exciting, since it would be my very first game as a game developer in my first semester. Despite being enrolled as a programming student, I have a keen interest in arts, and took at the chance to take the role as an artist to put myself to a test.
My role was to conceptualize and develop a visual language for the game’s animal characters. We chose animals because they are widely recognized and offer intuitive mechanics that players can easily grasp. While my co-artist handled the final rendering of the characters and environment, I worked on designing and animating the game’s collectible bugs, as well as creating assets for the user interface that matched the game’s style and setting.
In retrospect, I’m glad I took on the challenge of walking a few miles in an artist’s shoes, as it gave me a deeper appreciation for the skills and expertise of my fellow game artists. While I don’t see myself pursuing a career as a full-time artist, I found this opportunity to be a valuable asset as it has helped me work more effectively with my creative colleagues. I thoroughly enjoy working on a game’s visuals, but I still find coding to be more personally fulfilling as a profession.
Overall, our game was a hit, with players appreciating its simplicity and style!
