Huayue Zhang
Mountain and Sea：Mythical Beasts
Duration: June 2022 (2 weeks)
Type: 2D Card Game, Leap-motion
Role: Art Designer, Programmer, Game Designer
Group size: 4
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Lead a 4-member team designed and developed a 2D card game which drew inspirations from traditional Taoist gestures and beasts in Chinese folk stories based on Unity and Leap-motion.
Video
Background
This project serves as the final assignment for an interactive design course, where the mandate was to implement it exclusively using Kinect or Leap Motion.
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Coincidentally, during that period, I was immersed in reminiscing about classic Hong Kong films, including those by Lin Zhengying. Hence, the idea of using Leap Motion to draw talismans was conceived. However, this concept was rejected with the reasoning that "in this context, Leap Motion is no different from a mouse."
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Furthermore, around the same time, I came across the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" and was inspired by the stylish seal gestures from the widely acclaimed game of the first half of 2022, "Ghostwire: Tokyo." Drawing from the "Nine-Character Mantra" gestures, I modified them for interactive use in a turn-based card game.
The backdrop of the game draws inspiration from the prevalent advertisement of the game "Variation Kunpeng" during that era. This amalgamation of elements from classic Hong Kong cinema, Japanese game-inspired gestures, and the popular game advertisement of the time resulted in a uniquely creative and culturally diverse interactive design game project.
Hong Kong Movie
Mr. Vampire (1985)
Hong Kong Movie
A Chinese Ghost Story 1-3 (1987-1991)
Action RPG Game
Ghostwire: Tokyo (2022)
Gameplay
Interactions within the scene are facilitated through specific gestures, and during battles, players need to unleash various skills by employing different gestures.
01
In a 2D scene, specific gestures can be used for interaction when the hand's position moves over corresponding objects, advancing the storyline.
02
During battles, players need to unleash various skills through different gestures, each skill possessing distinct effects and consuming action points.
In-Game Visuals
03
Interact with specific objects in the scene.
Interact with mythical beasts in combat
As players defeat more monsters, enemies, and progress through the storyline, they will unlock skills with different effects.
Each of these skills can be assigned a unique activation gesture (without conflicting with the gestures of the "Nine-Character Mantra," as these gestures correspond to real-world counterparts).
Players can then build their own set of skills for battle, with a maximum limit on the number of skills that can be carried into each battle. This creates a positive feedback loop, where playing more results in becoming stronger, and growing stronger enhances the gameplay experience.
Visual Design
Cards & SKills
Gives insight into the enemy
Inspiring and manipulative
Makes people brave and courageous and full of fighting spirit
Rejuvenate
Get buff for three rounds
Reduce two points of enemy mana
The power to control one's own body
Restore 50 points vitality
Causes 35 points physical damage
Cause 35 points magic damage
Enemy Design
Game Test
Playtesters release skills with different gestures
