Making an VR Game Experience using visual storytelling techniques
Jugnu
Guided by
Prof. Jayesh Pillai
Collaborators
Utkarsha Kate
Saie G.
Samiksha Gajbhiye
Prajakta H.
VR Design
Embodied Interactions
The appearance of fireflies signal the changing of seasons, but the world has been stuck in a standstill for too long. Now, it’s up to you to catch the fireflies and guide them to the temple to rekindle the cycle of the seasons. Step into this immersive VR experience and bring balance back to the world.
Background
This VR Experience is part of the Design for XR course. We were introduced to various AR,XR and VR technologies and creating these experiences through Unity. We explored storytelling in virtual reality through game like experience.
Strategy
We explored the story through myths around the world and found out there is a strong connection between the seasons and the appearance of the fireflies (called Jugnu in Hindi). Since this myth is from Japan, we derived the visual language of the game through assets that represent Japan. Different members took on different roles like coding, asset creation and art direction in the project, making this a truly multi-disciplinary outcome.
Design
Jugnu is a VR experience where you have to collect different fireflies from around the world. These jugnu’s represent the power of nature. You collect them and leave them in the temple for the season to change. We are trying to say that the humans have the power to change the nature through this narrative.
Setup
Various fireflies are scattered around the space. The user is introduced to the game mechanics. There is a Jar and the user can either catch the fireflies and put it in the Jar or they can just use the jar to collect them.
Mechanics
There is a Jar and the user can either catch the fireflies and put it in the Jar or they can just use the jar to collect them. The user can jump around teleport waypoints. Since walking inside VR makes the user Dizzy, we have made teleportation the default mode of travel. Although, the user can move around the space physically once teleported.
Winning conditions
Collecting the fireflies and releasing them at the temple completes the experience by changing the weather and thus giving rise to many new fireflies.
Interactions Explored
How Players Engage:
Movement: Free exploration using VR controllers.
Firefly Catching: Gesture-based interaction
Attract the fireflies: Specific gestures to attract the fireflies
Placing the Jar: A final symbolic action to restore light / change season.
Experience: ‘free to play’ after everything is lit up.
Challenge & Reward:
- Fireflies react dynamically (some harder to catch).
- The environment progressively responds to success (change in season)
- New levels open up when you complete one stage, with lights guiding you where to go.
Try out the game yourself
Find the Unity source code of the game here
Project Details
Jugnu
Guided by
Prof. Jayesh Pillai
Collaborators
Utkarsha Kate
Saie G.
Samiksha Gajbhiye
Prajakta H.
VR Design
Embodied Interactions
Background
This VR Experience is part of the Design for XR course. We were introduced to various AR,XR and VR technologies and creating these experiences through Unity. We explored storytelling in virtual reality through game like experience.
Strategy
We explored the story through myths around the world and found out there is a strong connection between the seasons and the appearance of the fireflies (called Jugnu in Hindi). Since this myth is from Japan, we derived the visual language of the game through assets that represent Japan. Different members took on different roles like coding, asset creation and art direction in the project, making this a truly multi-disciplinary outcome.
Design
Jugnu is a VR experience where you have to collect different fireflies from around the world. These jugnu’s represent the power of nature. You collect them and leave them in the temple for the season to change. We are trying to say that the humans have the power to change the nature through this narrative.
