Bathosphere
Platform:
Oculus Go (VR)
Tools Used:
Visual Studio, Unity
Duration:
2 Weeks
Team Size:
5-6 people
Role:
Gameplay Programmer
Overview
The purpose of “Bathosphere” was to learn how to program for VR as well as discover the challenges that come with making a VR game. The game was a short VR experience where the player would endure eldritch horrors while making repairs to their submarine, all while exposed to the void of the deep ocean.
“Bathosphere” is a single player VR experience where the player has to perform tasks while exposed to the void of the depths. I pitched a few core tasks that the player would have to undertake, and worked with the team to refine those ideas. Multiple of my ideas made it into the game, with only slight adjustments to the core concept.
After the pitch I was tasked with implementing these ideas. I worked closely with the team to make sure the ideas would make it into the game on the tight schedule. The tight schedule required efficient communication to reach the goal by the end of the project.
NOTE: All screenshots and video reflect the work of the entire team (art, FX, SFX, code, design, etc.).
Detailed View
The Core Tasks
The game was built upon the core tasks. The player would complete them while the environment would change around them. They were the only interactive gameplay element of the game, thus were critical to the game overall.
In relatation to the tasks I;
- Conceived and pitched tasks essential to the gameplay
- Created those tasks while working closely with the team
- Refined and debugged the tasks as they were implemented
- Worked with the designers to position and adjust the tasks
- Linked the tasks with the overall progression of the game
Enviroment/Game Progression
As tasks were completed the game would progress and the environment would change around you. This was the system that was driving the horror element of the game.
For it I was in charge of;
- Aiding in the creation of the system and supporting other programmers with its construction
- Linking tasks to the overall progression of the game
- Working with the team to identify and debug errors with the system