Preparations for softs.
With two more weeks to go, there is a lot to be done. However, every day more and more things are being added.
As performance is an issue with the Google Daydream, we are baking the lighting and not using more than one light source per room. However, so far we have been using Airmore in order to reflect what the player sees, which also hurts the performance.
Recent code structure changes allow us to focus on polishing the design of each of the rooms with the goal of making them all satisfying.
Currently, in the various rooms, we have the following design interactions:
Living room:
Wand – shaking the wand produces a particle effect and a sound effect. This mechanics is meant to accommodate the restrictions of the Daydream. You can’t do anything complicated, however, the player is already holding a controller so holding a “wand” can feel natural and rewarding.
Snowglobe – picking up the snowglobe makes the room snow. If you shake the snowglobe the snow’s rate increases. The responses so far have been very positive. People examine the snowglobe and react with wonder to the snow. It also helps with the scene transition since immediately after that you are taken to the doctor scene.
Record player – starts playing music, the room turns dark, a spotlight appears. The spotlight helps guide the player towards the animation. It appears right behind the record player, where the player will probably be looking at, and goes to where the animation is.
Books – sound.
Birds – sound.
Teddy – picking up the teddy.
Attic:
Planner – the planner “writes itself” based on the voice over.
Music box – flower petals move away from the player in order to give a feeling of loss. Accompanied by a voice over talking about selling a necklace.
Pocket watch – pocket watch makes the room turn from night to day to night. Symbolising a transition of 24h that is mentioned in the voice over.
Valentine day’s card – sound.
Bedroom:
Polaroid – player takes photos of the animations.
Photo album – photos appear in the photo album. Sound.
Once all are in it’s about polishing. Making sure the interactions actually feel good. For example, not having the wand fly to your chest but instead to your hand.