Building Virtual Worlds
This is a gallery of work done in the course “Building Virtual Worlds” at Carnegie Mellon. “In this course, interdisciplinary teams will build virtual worlds and other interactive content focusing on technical mechanics of world building, but also covering the basics of environment design, interactive game design. non-linear storytelling, virtual reality, and teamwork”.
Scaredy Cat
Prompt: “Develop an experience where the guest helps Character A overcome a fear of Character B and achieve a goal”
Platform: HTC Vive Virtual Reality
Team: Mollie Braley (Sound Design, Co-Producer), Yikai Han (Programmer), Yoli Shen (Artist), Conor Triplett (Artist, Co-Producer), Lee Weizheng (Programmer)
Responsibilities: 3D environment modeling, storyboarding, some character animation, logistics/scheduling
Concept: A guest finds a scared and hungry alley cat that cannot reach an appetizing fish on its own. In order to help the cat, the guest is invited to search the alley and perform different tasks to build trust and befriend the cat en route to helping it eat.
More Thoughts: Respect All, Fear None
Weather or Not
Prompt: “Develop an experience for naive guest to interact with minimal rules/tutorials while still instilling a sense of freedom”
Platform: Meta II Augmented Reality
Team: Trace Dressen (Artist), Tina Han (Programmer, Producer), Conor Triplett (Artist), Hongzhu Zhao (Programmer), Anying Zheng (Sound Designer)
Responsibilities: 3D environment modeling, 3D character modeling, logo/UI, prop design and construction, playtesting
Concept: A guest has been deemed the “rain god” of a troubled island. The guest can use his or her hands’ powers of rain, thunder, and lightning to determine the islanders’ fates at the hands of a drought, fire, pirates and volcano.
More Thoughts: You’re Not Wrong
The Other Way
Prompt: “Develop a 2-3 minute interactive story for a guest to experience and play through”
Platform: HTC Vive Virtual Reality
Team: Calla Carter (Programmer), Siyu Chen (Artist), Mong-Yah Hsieh (Sound Designer), Conor Triplett (Artist, Producer), Shengzhi Wu (Programmer)
Responsibilities: Prop design and construction, 3D environment modeling, playtesting, logistics and communication
Concept: A guest is a child following his or her mom on a bike ride when, suddenly, a tree is knocked down by a gust of wind and the guest must take a new path on their own to find their mom again.
More Thoughts: Swallowing one Sword
Chicken Run
Prompt: “Create an 8-minute interactive activity and develop a plan to theme a space in order to enhance the world and guest experience”
Platform: XBox Kinect
Team: Mollie Braley (Sound Designer, Producer), Daryl Choa (Artist), Xiao He (Programmer), Saumya Lahera (Programmer), Conor Triplett (Artist, Producer)
Responsibilities: Concept development, prop design and construction iterations, 3D character animation, themed location concept development
Concept: Embody a chicken and compete for the affections of a hen in this fast-paced, ridiculous race. Flap your wings while skillfully sidestepping obstacles and collecting roses to beat your opponent and find love!
More Thoughts: Thanks, Randy
The Festival: Weather or Not
Prompt: “Develop an experience for naive guest to interact with minimal rules/tutorials while still instilling a sense of freedom”
Platform: Meta II Augmented Reality
Team: Trace Dressen (Artist), Tina Han (Programmer, Producer), Conor Triplett (Artist), Hongzhu Zhao (Programmer), Anying Zheng (Sound Designer)
Responsibilities: Island hut, islander construction; cloud construction and lighting; experience design and lay-out
Concept: A guest has been deemed the “rain god” of a troubled island. The guest can use his or her hands’ powers of rain, thunder, and lightning to determine the islanders’ fates at the hands of a drought, fire, pirates and volcano.
More Thoughts: Bam! I just made your dreams come true, kid.
