Crafting an Underwater Narrative
As the Lead 3D Artist and Story Writer, I was responsible for bridging the gap between scientific reality and digital storytelling. My work began with the fundamental concept development, where I designed the levels and narrative beats to ensure the message of conservation remained the heartbeat of the gameplay.
- Building the Atmosphere: I worked extensively on the vision and look development to create an underwater world that felt both beautiful and fragile.
- Character-Driven Education: I developed the main storyline characters and environments to guide players through the "Ocean Odyssey," ensuring the visual style supported the game's educational goals.
The Asset Creation Pipeline: From Maya to Unity
To bring this indie project to life on a startup budget, I utilized a streamlined, high-efficiency technical pipeline.
- 3D Asset Workflow: I managed the full 3D pipeline—including modeling, UV mapping, texturing, rigging, and animation - using Maya and Substance Painter.
- Character and Level Design: I designed the main character named Scuba, who is a submersible bot (inspired by Wall-E from Disney). I translated these designs into game-ready assets for Unity, where I led the level design to create intuitive, exploratory environments that maximized the sense of presence in a 360-degree VR space.
Beyond the Screen: Marketing & Advocacy
Because this was an indie venture, my role extended far beyond the technical. I acted as a primary advocate for the project, ensuring it found the audience and funding it needed to thrive.
- Visual Storytelling: I produced marketing materials, including game trailers and promotional videos, to communicate the game's vision to potential backers.
- Pitched for Growth: I represented the project at various conferences and festivals, pitching the game to build an audience and successfully raise the crowdfunding necessary for continued development.