Lumen
Project Description
Lumen is a world below the sea filled with many "sea" creatures. You are a little spirit who has come to explore this world with your trusty light ball. The creatures are curious about this ball of light that you have and approach this ball of light to investigate it, sometimes even fighting over it.
Lumen can be experienced by multiple users across different platforms at the same time. Users can explore this world through a VR head-mounted headset, desktop, or mobile device. Users can interact with the world by throwing balls of light using their controller or pointer. In VR, users can walk, crouch, jump, and look around. On desktop, the user can use WASD to move and their cursor to pan the camera. On mobile, the user can use joysticks to walk around and control the direction of the camera, and tap to throw the light.
Avatars
The user takes on the form of a small "spirit" with a reflective, semi-transparent body, holding a magic light ball that attracts creatures. The avatar's primary function is to control the light ball to interact with creatures. You can set the colour and head shape of your spirit. Its default head shape is a slightly luminous sphere with two black eyes. The hands are also spherical, matching the head's material and transparency, creating a cohesive spirit appearance. The semi-transparent spirit appearance enhances the game's atmosphere, giving players a unique and engaging character to control.
Controls
Desktop
To start controlling the avatar, the user will need to click on the canvas. You can then use the mouse to look around or click to throw the light. Note that this will lock the pointer. To unlock yourself from the canvas, press the Escape key ('esc').
- W: Move forward
- A: Move left
- S: Move backward
- D: Move right
- Shift: Run
- Control + Alt: Crouch
Mobile
- Left joystick (red): Move the avatar
- Right joystick (blue): Pan camera
- Tap on the screen to throw the ball of light.
VR Headset
- Use the VR controllers to interact with objects and navigate the environment.
Creatures
The creatures in Lumen vary in size and shape, creating a diverse ecosystem. These creatures are attracted to light sources. They will approach the user, curious about the light that's being held. When the light is thrown into the space, those close to it will seek out the light, becoming more erratic and engaging in predatory behavior. In the absence of light, the creatures will reproduce and grow in population.
The aesthetic appeal of this visual effect comes from its vibrant colors and contrast, creating depth and dynamic visual interest. The 3D perspective and symmetrical arrangement add spatial depth and balance. The overall composition is harmonious and eye-catching.
Environment
Lumen immerses users in an underwater environment, evoking the mysterious depths of the ocean. Users will find themselves above the seabed, surrounded by swaying seaweed, curious sea creatures, and bubbles floating upwards, adding to the sense of being deep below the surface.
Sound
Sound also plays a role in the immersive experience of Lumen. The ambient soundscape resembles meditation music, characterized by soothing, rhythmic tones that create a serene and calming atmosphere. Its muffled quality helps users feel as though they are truly underwater, evoking the sensation of being deep beneath the surface.
Various interactions and reactions in the world produce different auditory feedback. These include vibrations and sounds associated with reproduction, death, wave emissions, shocks, and launching and retracting light balls. The sound design enhances the sense of presence and interaction, making the virtual world of Lumen more engaging and lifelike.