Magician Simulator VR
Game Design, UX, Developer, Art, Sound design
This is the whimsical embodiment of "stage fright". In this interactive VR experience, the player is a magician who must perform a series of magic tricks in front of a menacing audience. And let's just say, it doesn't go so well. Mistakes were made, but the show must go on. I created this from the ground up in Unity for the Oculus Quest.
Inspiration
I drew inspiration from the late 19th, early 20th century Golden Age of magic, where magicians such as Houdini, Thurston, and of course, Jobe, wooed their audiences. From this aesthetic, I generated the color pallet, lighting, set layout, set dressings, and interactions.
Interactions
Many of these interactions stem from the thought, "what could go wrong"-- the answer being "a lot". The 'rabbit in the hat' trick goes well and the audience is amazed. But after, the show descends into chaos. Snakes rain down, the Magician's table briefly catches fire, and somehow, the audience is turned into audibly-confused chickens. I also made sure to include several "easter-egg" interactions to reward the player's exploration of the set.
Sound Design
I aimed to make this interaction feel as wild and surprising as possible, and the audio design was essential. I used a mix of pre-made sounds and custom recordings to achieve this. Each magic trick, audience reaction, and interactive object has layered sound effects to create a more immersive experience.
