Ynk
A platformer in which you recolor the television program you’re trapped in.
Overview
Role
Level Design
UI/UX Design
Genre
Platformer
Engine
Unity
Tools
Photoshop
Team Size: 4
Duration
2017
3 months
Platform
PC
Background
In this platformer game, you play as Ynk, a character on a quest to find his girlfriend. The entire game takes place inside a TV, where players are tasked with transforming the image from black and white to full color using a unique brush mechanic. The core gameplay revolves around this transformation, symbolizing progress and the changing nature of the world as Ynk navigates his challenges.
Goals
My objective was to develop a visual style that drew inspiration from classic, old-timey cartoons. I aimed to achieve this through exaggerated features, vibrant colors, and bold outlines, creating a unique and nostalgic aesthetic that would set the game apart and immerse players in its world.
Challenges
The concept of the game could only succeed if the animations were meticulously crafted with a high level of care and attention to detail. Additionally, there were challenges in team collaboration, as some team members did not meet expectations, which required extra effort to maintain the project’s vision and momentum.
Roles and Responsibilities
UI/UX Design
I was responsible for designing menus, buttons, and HUD elements that seamlessly integrated with the exaggerated, bold, and vibrant aesthetic of the game. This included using thick outlines, playful shapes, and vintage typography to capture the essence of classic cartoons while ensuring that the design remained functional and user-friendly.
Level Design
In this project, I was focussing on the overall structure and flow of the game, ensuring each level is fun, engaging, and aligned with the gameplay mechanics. We developed a comprehensive level design editor within Unity, which greatly facilitated the creation and iteration of levels during the development process. This tool allowed for more efficient design workflows and helped ensure that the levels were well-integrated with the game’s mechanics and visual style.
Game Design
We ensured that the core gameplay mechanics were integrated with the narrative of Ynk’s journey to find his girlfriend within the TV world. This involved crafting moments where the mechanics not only supported but also advanced the story, creating a deeper connection between gameplay and story.