My Role:
Programmer, Networking, Game Designer, UI/UX Designer (Group of 5)
Duration:
September 2024 - December 2024
Tools:
- C#, Unity, Meta Quest, Photon Fusion, Git, Figma
Skills:
- Networking, 3D User Interaction Design, Multiplayer VR Syncing, Scene Optimization
Project Overview
Have you ever wanted to draw in a virtual world? Look no further—Sketch Relay is the perfect game for you! Sketch Relay is a multiplayer, immersive VR experience where a group of 4 friends collaborates to showcase their creativity, speed, and quick thinking as they race against the clock.
Get ready to Be Creative! Be Fast! Be Correct!
This unique game blends the classic elements of Pictionary, delivering a dynamic, high-energy challenge where players rely on both their drawing skills and their ability to interpret sketches. In Sketch Relay, three players will collaborate and draw, while one player attempts to guess the word based on their teammates’ evolving sketches.
Can your team successfully pass along the message through sketches? Or will the drawing relay break down into hilarious miscommunication? Dive into this fast-paced, artistic adventure and find out!
Design
We decided the art studio would be the best environment for our game as it was on theme with the sketching concept. We wanted to create a peaceful environment where players could enjoy the dim but well lit studio to create an aesthetically pleasing place. Calm music fills the studio as the drawers let their creative juices flow.
We made several design adaptations to our pen as the different shapes affected the way the marks were left on the canvas. Different colors were chosen to allow creative freedom for the drawers. Additionally, vibration feedback was given to the pens to allow the drawer that they would be aware of the contact of the pen on the canvas.
Our initial idea was to allow the drawers to take turns drawing, however, we believed it was best for the drawers to freely draw within the 30 seconds at the same time to create a more fun and collaborative concept to the game.
Game Play
1. Users enter a “New Game”
A team of 4 friends enter the waiting room and are transferred into the Sketch Relay art studio environment. 1 easel is for the drawers and the other easel belongs to the guesser.
2. Choose roles
The players are able to move within the art studio freely. Pick who will be the guesser and the rest will be the drawers. The guesser will stand in front of the black easel that has no marker.
3. Drawing time
The canvas for the drawers will display a word that they have to collaborate to draw in a way that the guesser can guess the word at the end. No words are allowed!
4. Restriction
The drawers only have a total of 30 seconds to complete the drawing. The timer is displayed on the canvas so that each player is aware of how much time they have left.
5. Relay
The pens have multiple colors that each drawer can create their masterpiece with. The drawers need to be able to divide up the work of creating each part of the word without talking. Each mark from the pens will be displayed on the canvas of the drawers.
6. Result
Once the 30 seconds are up, the guesser has 15 seconds to look at the final drawing on their canvas to come up with the word. The guesser shouts out the word and through the voice feature, the drawers are able to hear the guess. Then, the drawers, through the mic, will tell the guesser if they are right.
7. Repeat
There is a 10 second timer that counts down to the next round for the next random word.
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DESIGN DAY
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Challenges
1. Networking
Our biggest challenge was that this game was heavily network based. The whole concept of the game was being able to work collaboratively on a canvas that had live feedback for everyone. Additionally, getting each player into the game was a struggle as some of the hands didn’t work. However, with a lot of trial and error, we were able to successfully implement each player’s avatar into the environment.
2. Drawing component
The drawing component was a difficult obstacle as it was very glitchy in the beginning. When the pen touched the canvas it would start to go crazy and make random streaks across the canvas. We adjusted the settings within Unity and was able to get a smooth drawing experience.
Future Iterations
With more time, we would focus on creating a way for drawers to enter a random game where you don’t need to join with a group of 4. Additionally, we would love to create advanced drawing tools by allowing the players to choose different types of drawing instruments such as paint, pen, or pencil.
To create a more interactive game, we would love the players to be able to choose different settings that they would like to play in. Some people might enjoy the art studio, but others could enjoy drawing in a park. Additionally, right now the players only see a round circle for the face and a pair of hands. However, different avatars would add to the creative experience for the game in the future.
