Eliptica
During my first year of the university, I have joined a game jam. There were a few organised by the university. This game jam was based on the alternative controllers that we would build. We decided the project would be made in Unity, an engine I had no experience with, therefore to better learn how it works, while still contributing enough, I have taken the role of the 2D designer, HUD and Menu programmer.
Final energy bar design
Through further prototypying I have decided to not cover an entire side of the screen and rather create a more compact unintrusive design. This idea came from combining some of the sketches as well as the mockup. I also thought that the "retro feel" of the game (it being a very elaborate arcade shooter clone) should be represented further so I added some pixel-art iconography
The first sketches of the logo and the UI templates ideas
These all try different styles. The 3 bars are for energy, life and shield energy though the final game only had 2 bars, energy and health. The name of the game was not yet determined so I tried using the word "stranded" and make the first mockup of the logo, inspired by space oddysey type of media.
Mockup of the design to be used initially
This was just a picture done in photoshop to better determine the colours and position (as well as contrast and "busy-ness" of the design).
Coloured bar
As I was working on the screen, I realized that the "widget" was not very visible on the black background, which is a problem as the game was set in space. To solve it, I made a decision for the game to change the core design (resulting in many assets and shaders to be modified). I have decided to use the 80s synth-wave to further compliment the retro feel of the game. This also allowed me to use interesting bright colour combinations.
The final logo for the game
The moment I changed the core design/style, I had redone the logo of the game and we have decided on the name "Eliptica" as the ship was an elipse that rotates to travel through space
The assets redesign
As discussed above the ships have gotten a material makeover with added neon emmissive colouring to fit the style. Score font was chosen to fit the retro 80s style of arcade games.
The final main menu design
The sketches have definitely helped determine the button style and to my surprise, it really fit well with the logo. I have then requested to have the ship rotate at the bottom tip of the triangle (due to the axis rotation and the ship design, this was more challenging than a simple rotate)
The help screens
The menu was programmed in at the end with all the pictures and credits. Made to also fit with the theme of the game as well as allow for a coherent understanding
The video showing the game running in the unity editor
(music is omitted)