CHANGELING VR: Narrative VR Game

In this surreal VR mystery game, the player takes on the role of Aurelia, a dream-walker whose gift is the ability to see through the eyes of anyone she touches. Asked to find out what is wrong with the baby, she touches mother, father, son and daughter in turn. As she contacts each one, she sees their view of the world through the lens of their hope and fear. Each view has a different problem; a different style.

Key objectives for the game is to create an experience that leverages VR; to have aesthetics, narrative and mechanics work together harmoniously. What this means is that each memory entered is essentially a distinct VR game.

This is a multi-year project, early release will launch in late December ‘24. Production is ongoing. There are a total of 5 levels needed to hit completion, along with cutscenes/UI and menus. The companion website has parallel experiences that mirror the narrative of the game. Download the game from the link on the website to see its current state. (Website:http://www.changelingvr.com)

The ongoing project is designed to allow students to:

• Explore embedded narrative design through world-building

• Develop Mechanics that emphasize the affordances particular to VR

• Explore player guidance and level design in VR

• Create an efficient and optimized game

The project will leverage methods and technologies in a variety of areas, including (but not limited to):

• Agile game production (Scrum, Google Docs)

• Web design and development (Azure, GitHub source control, NodeJS, Vercel)

• Game design and development (Unreal4.27, Perforce source control)

• Asset Creation (Maya, Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Audacity, Z-Brush)

At a minimum, the following roles and skills will be needed each semester:

• Production, web infrastructure, and game sub-team leads
• Game design
• Gameplay and web development
• Art and sound design and asset production

Relevant majors and minors from which students may be interested include, but are not limited to:

• All computing fields (e.g., game design and development, new media interactive development, web and mobile computing, software engineering)
• Game arts
• Film and animation
• Sound and music design

Irrespective of major, all students should have a strong interest in designing/developing meaningful interactive experiences. Students should also have some background in team collaboration and the technologies relevant to their intended role on the project.

Accepted students will be enrolled in one of the following courses for 1-3 credit hours, depending on their experience level and role on the project.

• GCIS-210: Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing
  • Some background in one of the areas needed for the project but limited prior team project experience.
• GCIS-410: Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing II
  • Clear background in one of the areas needed for the project, as well as at least 2 semesters’ worth of team project experience.
  • Should be prepared to lead small sub-project efforts and mentor GCIS-210 students.
• GCIS-610: Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing - Graduate
  • Significant background in one of the areas needed for the project, as well as at least 2 semesters' worth of team project experience on Agile self-directed teams.
  • Should be prepared to lead efforts within their domain, mentor other students, and proactively work to improve the processes and infrastructure for future students.

Assume that one credit hour will require ~3-4 hours per week. The goal of the variable credits is so that students can potentially stretch their work on a project over many semesters. Slowly becoming mentors and leads. “Part-time” students are just as welcome and valuable as those taking on 3 credits worth of work.

For NMID and GDD undergraduates, GCIS-210 will count as a free elective; GCIS-410 and GCIS-610 as advanced electives. For MS GDD students, GCIS-610 can be used as an advanced elective. Students in all other majors should consult with their advisor and/or program coordinator about how this project can apply to their graduation requirements.

The times and locations of meetings to be held while classes are in session will be determined at the start of each semester based on everyone’s schedules.

• Full project team meetings: At least once per week.

• Sub-team meetings: Daily stand-ups

Download the game from the link on the website to see its current state. (Website:http://www.changelingvr.com)