About This Project

In 2017, I delved into the world of Virtual Reality (VR) development to create Vapor VR, a Mobile VR puzzle game inspired by the Vaporwave aesthetic and music genre, a passion of mine. Developed using Unity 3D and the GVR SDK, with guidance from Udacity's VR Developer Nanodegree Program, Vapor VR was designed as a Simon says-type game targeting millennials, net art, and music lovers as a tribute to post-internet culture.

Goals

Vapor VR aimed to offer users a Mobile VR experience in an environment that was clean, non-threatening, and aesthetically pleasing. The game featured relaxing music and allowed players to engage with an easy puzzle and interact with objects while enjoying a carefully curated Vaporwave experience.

To win, players needed to replicate the pattern of orbs activated by sound and light. Success in the puzzle allowed endless replayability, inviting players back into its immersive Vaporwave world.

Technical Details

Development Platform: Utilized Unity 3D for game development and the GVR SDK for integrating VR functionalities, tailored for Mobile VR.
Game Mechanics: Incorporated a Simon says gameplay style, challenging players to memorize and repeat sequences for puzzle solving.
Aesthetic and Sound Design: Embraced the Vaporwave aesthetic, featuring classical sculpture cutouts in shiny marble and a soundscape comprising a mix of lo-fi and hi-fi Vaporwave tunes from artists like 식료품groceries, Macintosh Plus, and original productions, enhancing the thematic depth of the game.
User Interaction: Designed with VR beginners in mind, focusing on intuitive gameplay and interaction through gaze and click, enriching player engagement with the virtual environment.

Read the full process breakdown in my medium blog.

Impact

This project not only served as a creative expression of my interest in Vaporwave but also as an educational venture into VR development. Vapor VR was well-received for its unique blend of music, art, and gameplay, effectively introducing players to the immersive possibilities of VR technology while paying homage to a beloved cultural phenomenon.

Collaboration and Inspiration

The project was a solo venture, inspired by my fascination with Vaporwave music and aesthetics. It was an exploration of how these elements could be translated into a VR experience that was both engaging and accessible to a broad audience, including those with minimal exposure to VR.

Vapor Room VR | Udacity VRND | Unity3D