Play at itch

This game turns ordinary UI elements into creative puzzle tools, where sliding, clicking, and dragging reveal unexpected challenges, all set in a lighthearted and quirky world of problem-solving.

PROJECT TYPE

Personal

GENRE

2D meta

Platform

Windows PC

Engine

Unity 3D

Language

C#

Duration

2 months

Team Size

1

COMPLETION

December 2023

Tools Used

Photoshop,
Wacom Tablet,
Tiled,
GitHub
FLASH

Role

Concept, 2D assets, Animations
Gameplay, level design,
Pacing, prototyping, presentation
all gameplay scripting.

For more stories behind the design and
development iterations of the game, please
watch my gameplay commentary video
below.

Unity World originated from my fascination with meta-games,
particularly those encountered during LD game jams,
which challenge conventional design by breaking the fourth wall.
Inspired by their creativity, I wanted to push the concept further
by transforming familiar UI elements into core gameplay mechanics.

Balancing
Engagement
in Meta Games

Meta games often attract players with their humor and unconventional mechanics but risk becoming repetitive or losing player control, leading to disengagement.

Rich Puzzle Design: Incorporate varied mechanics and dynamic challenges inspired by The Stanley Parable and Baba Is You.Iterative Testing: Use prototypes to refine puzzles, ensuring lasting player interest and depth.

Enhancing Visuals
and Immersion

UI-based games can feel static or uninspiring, making it difficult to immerse
players.
Interface Design: Make the game interface resemble a real computer UI, fostering familiarity and humor.

Expanding UI
Puzzle Diversity

It’s difficult to create diverse puzzles using the limited functions of UI elements without becoming repetitive.

Guiding Questions for Design:
Can this UI element become a new terrain (e.g., dropdown menus as ladders)?
What states can this element have (e.g., clicked, selected, activated)?
What are its inherent functions (e.g., sorting, scrolling)?
How can it be manipulated (e.g., dragging, long-pressing)?

Focus on Player Experience: Design puzzles to surprise players while maintaining logical consistency.
Cross-Genre Inspiration: Borrow ideas from traditional puzzle games like logic sorting and pathfinding, adapting them for UI interactions.