LOFI Washing Dishes: Mini-Game
This project ended up being one of my first larger-scale pieces and is probably one of my favorites. It even snagged second place at the SCAD Entelechy Competition. The inspiration was pretty straightforward. I wanted to show off the Unreal Niagara System and was really into lofi music at the time. I figured I'd try to come up with something that felt kind of Zen. One night, while closing up at the restaurant where I worked, I zoned out washing dishes and thought, "Hey, this could be a game." The simple animation of the lofi girl stream also sparked some ideas for the visual style.
Back home, I did a quick sketch of my idea (though I lost it somewhere along the way). I aimed to make an interactive dish-washing simulator with simple, looping animations. I didn't hit all my goals, but I'm still proud of how it turned out.
below I put the mood board I created to nail down the style and colors, going for a chill and soothing vibe.
Achieving the Style
Getting the style I envisioned for lofi washing dishes was quite a struggle, but it was also a rewarding process. Throughout the project, I documented my progress with videos showing the evolution from basic stages to the final form, which I’ve included for reference.
To achieve the desired aesthetic, I used a combination of a custom-coded shader in Unreal Engine and basic textures and models created with Maya and Photoshop. The custom shader was particularly challenging but crucial for the game's unique look. Additionally, I utilized Unreal Engine's Niagara system to create convincing bubbles and water effects, enhancing the realism and immersion.
As the project progressed, I developed some basic 2D animations which I then converted into sprites. These were used to create a subtle, looping puddle animation, adding to the overall Zen vibe of the game. I also implemented dynamic materials in Unreal Engine to ensure the plates visually changed texture as they were cleaned, providing satisfying feedback to the player.
To enhance the interactive experience, I created an in-game music player through Unreal Engine, allowing players to enjoy a curated selection of lofi tracks while they play. This feature added another layer of immersion, aligning perfectly with the game's calming and meditative atmosphere.
Fleshing Out the Environment
To give the game and setting more personality, I focused on fleshing out the environment to make it feel more homelike and calming. I added various details and elements to the kitchen scene, such as ambient lighting, cozy furniture, and subtle background animations. These touches helped create a more immersive and soothing atmosphere, making the experience of washing dishes in the game feel relaxing and enjoyable.
Software and Methods
Unreal Engine: Used for game development, including the custom shader, Niagara system for bubbles and water, dynamic materials for changing textures, and the in-game music player.
Maya: Utilized for creating the 3D models and textures.
Photoshop: Employed for texturing and creating 2D assets.
Custom Shader: Coded in Unreal Engine to achieve the specific visual effects.
Niagara System: Used to create realistic bubbles and water effects.
Dynamic Materials: Implemented in Unreal Engine to make the plates clean and change texture dynamically.
2D Animations: Created in Photoshop and turned into sprites for the puddle animation.
In-Game Music Player: Developed in Unreal Engine to play a curated selection of lofi tracks, enhancing the immersive experience.
Environment Design: Added ambient lighting, cozy furniture, and background animations to create a homelike and calming atmosphere.
Despite the challenges, I'm proud of how the visual style turned out, perfectly capturing the relaxing, lofi aesthetic I aimed for.
