Faculty of Arts & Science

Digital Futures

Ryan Boyd

Elementary: Entrance Exam

Become a wizard apprentice who is transported to 4 different worlds to find magical orbs as proof of your magical competency in order to join the prestigious Arcane Academy.Elementary: Entrance Exam is a VR puzzle platformer game played on the Oculus Quest 2. In the game, the player must pass the entrance exam to Arcane Academy by transporting to fantasy realms and traversing levels with spells to find all the magical orbs. This demo is a vertical slice of the overall game concept, where you explore the fire level with the use of a jet flame spell. (Mechanics & Dynamics)LevelsThere are 4 decentralized levels based on one of the four elements. The player can choose any of the levels in any order. The level designs for each level are themed around natural locales that correspond to those elements. Currently only the Fire level is implemented.Fire: The level will take place in a volcanic region, where lava is freely flowing and large rock platforms are drifting in the lava flows.Air: The level will take place in a cluster of floating islands with strong winds moving them around.Water: The level will take place in subterranean cave (possibly ice) where there are pools of water and waterfalls that both block the way and offer a bridge to inaccessible areas when combined with the spell of this domainEarth: The level will take place in a rocky, desert terrain where canyons are created by the breaking of Earth’s crust by a giant tree’s roots.SpellsThe beginning of each level will present the player with a grimoire that teaches them a spell based on the elemental domain they are currently inhabiting. This spell is the main movement and interaction mechanic with all aspects of the level. Each spell allows the player to use locomotion or flying in a unique way that somehow engages the hands, but the use of these spells is limited by Mana and charges depending on the spell. Some elements of each level will require the use of the spell to solve a puzzle.Fire: Combustion (Press and hold trigger to release a jet flame which can propel you away from the direction it’s pointed)- Jetpack but with hands- MP bar slowly depletesAir: Wingbeat(create magic wings that can be used to glide at altitude by holding arms out horizontally, or flap arms in a direction to be propelled forward like a double jump)- 3 flaps max, can be recharged by gliding on an air current or landing for a short whileWater: Cryomancy (Point at a body of water and hold the trigger to produce ice that slowly forms from the ground)Earth: Floramancy (create large plants from solid earth that can support your weight by holding the grip button, aiming at a spot then releasing the grip to confirm the spot. You can also create vines that slowly deplete your MP by pressing and holding trigger in the direction of the space you wish to attach to. If you pull on the vine, you will propel forward)AcquisitionEvery level contains mana orbs with a minimum number that must be obtained in order to complete the level. Some may be too hard for the user to obtain, but they will be an optional challenge, as there will be more orbs in the level than the player needs. 20 orbs must be obtained for a passing grade, while 5 is considered acing the test.(Aesthetics)FantasyGame takes place in a magical world where elements have spirit and their power can be used by wizards. Character is a wizard apprentice attempting to join a magic school.SensationFlying and atypical movement is heavily focused upon for the rush of fast paced or free falling movement.DiscoveryThe goal of each level is to find the mana orbs scattered throughout the level.ChallengeThe puzzles and platform design are set up to be challenging and fun for the player, and the challenge to collect all the orbs is optional

“This virtual reality experiment was the result of an independent study in VR design, where I wanted to explore unique methods of movement in VR. Rather than just walking or teleporting, I wanted to see how the hands could be engaged to initiate locomotion. I iterated on a variety of concepts that involved aiming the hands in different positions to move the character around the scene. I also created this project with the intention of practicing the creation of exotic environment models. I sculpted the volcanic environment and then created a procedural volcanic texture alongside an animated lava shader with the objective of giving the user the feeling of being in a magical, possibly alien world. Coupled with a curated selection of audio queues and atmospheric background tracks, I believe I succeeded in capturing the simulation of sweltering heat and sense of mortal danger while retaining a feeling of awe throughout the experience.”