MoYi - Ink Reminisce

"Ink Reminisce" is a virtual reality experience designed to immerse players in a narrative deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, specifically the tale of "The White Snake Enchantress." The project's primary goal is to foster a profound emotional connection with players by guiding them through a journey that explores themes of memory, loss, and the enduring bonds of sisterly love. Through interaction with the game’s environment and narrative elements, players are encouraged to reflect on their personal memories and relationships.

The experience is crafted not only to entertain but also to serve as a medium for cultural expression and education. It introduces players to traditional Chinese aesthetics and philosophical ideas, employing VR technology to create a bridge between ancient artistic techniques and modern digital storytelling. The game’s use of traditional Chinese ink painting styles, combined with music played on authentic Chinese instruments, enriches the player’s sensory experience and deepens their understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

The narrative of "Ink Reminisce" is symbolically rich, featuring elements that resonate with universal themes of love and loss while also celebrating specific cultural values. The game’s monochromatic to colorful transition represents the journey from grief to acceptance and renewal, symbolizing how memories can color our present and lead to emotional healing. This transformation is also a metaphor for the revival of cultural appreciation through modern mediums.

The project began with the conceptual framework of exploring the story of "The White Snake Enchantress," focusing on the profound emotional and sisterly bond between the White Snake and the Green Snake, rather than the traditional love story narrative. I developed the game’s unique aesthetic, which mimics traditional Chinese ink paintings. This involved creating 3D models and environments that transition from monochrome to rich colors, symbolizing thematic shifts within the game. Juice Cui was responsible for integrating traditional Chinese music, utilizing instruments like the guzheng and pipa to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of the game. Programming and interaction design were tailored to VR, ensuring that the gameplay mechanics were intuitive and immersive. This included developing VR-specific controls like grabbing, teleporting, and interacting with the environment in a way that felt natural and engaging.

Creating a deep, engaging narrative that resonates emotionally with players, encouraging them to reflect on personal memories and experiences. As solution, I focused on crafting a story that was not only rich in mythological content but also offered personal emotional stakes. The narrative was designed to evolve based on player interactions, increasing engagement through choices that significantly impacted the story's progression.

Developing for VR presented unique challenges, including performance optimization and ensuring a comfortable, nausea-free user experience. As solution, I conducted thorough testing on various VR hardware setups to optimize performance and minimize latency. They also implemented multiple user comfort options, such as adjustable movement mechanics and field of view restrictions to reduce motion sickness.

Shihui Doris He - Project Manager

Shihui Doris He - Creative Director

Shihui Doris He - Gameplay Programmer

Shihui Doris He - Art and Design

Juice Cui - Sound Design