WORK ABOUT CONTACT

Pipsqueaks Trainride

Pipsqueak’s Trainride

In this Endless Runner for Mobile, Pip has to evade all kinds of people in the metro to get to the seat he’s been longing for.

Overview

Role
UI/UX Design
3D Design

Genre
Endless Runner

Engine
Unity

Tools
Photoshop, Blender, Autodesk
Maya

Team Size: 4

Duration
2018
3 months

Platform
Mobile

Background

As part of a university team project, I developed a game prototype for an endless runner. The game follows a main character navigating through an overcrowded metro, searching for a seat.

Designed with commuters in mind, the concept aimed to provide a relatable and entertaining diversion for players during their own metro journeys, reflecting the common experience of crowded public transit.

Goals

My primary focus was on creating visually striking 3D assets that aligned seamlessly with the game’s theme, designed to captivate and retain the audience’s attention. Alongside this, I crafted a user interface that effectively showcased key elements such as progression and rewards, enhancing player engagement without disrupting gameplay.

Challenges

A critical objective was optimizing visuals to ensure the game performed smoothly, even on older devices. This required striking a careful balance between delivering high-quality aesthetics and maintaining seamless performance across a wide range of hardware configurations.

Roles and Responsibilities

3D Artist

I focused on creating visually engaging and dynamic metro-themed environments to enhance the gameplay experience and immerse players in the game’s setting. This involved modeling detailed train interiors or design obstacles such as NPCs that I made unique and relatable. To bring them to life, I created smooth and visually appealing animations for actions like running, dodging, and interacting with objects.

UI Design

I would focus on designing an intuitive and visually cohesive interface that enhances the player experience. This includes creating menus, HUD elements, and visual indicators that clearly communicate progression, objectives, and rewards. As part of this, I also created interactive elements, such as buttons and sliders, ensuring they are mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.

Key Takeaways

Clear Feedback Loops

I learned the importance of creating clear feedback loops by developing visual and interactive cues that effectively guide players—for example, signaling when they find a seat or successfully navigate obstacles. These elements ensure the player feels supported and immersed throughout their experience.

Achievements

Streamlined Development

We have consistently been meeting tight deadlines while maintaining a streamlined development process. This required tight workflows, proactive communication, and adaptability to overcome challenges, such as unexpected changes in project scope or technical constraints.