Lucid Dreams. Project made specifically for Creating Immersive Worlds class at NYU.

March 2018.

COLLABORATION:

OLESIA AND MARINA

INTRODUCTION:

This is a VR environment trying to simulate experience where the user travels to space. Through meditative music and relaxation we want the user to feel like he or she is being pulled out of their bodies into the universe. Once the user is transported to the universe, he or she can start to explore the planets, the space, the asteroids, he can pick up the bat and smash the asteroids, fly in space and teleport to any point in the space.

SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE: Unreal Engine 4, Photoshop, Blender, HTC Vive.

STEPS:

User is standing throughout the experience. He can freely walk if he wants to move in the VR world this way

Initial darkness and spatial music is on.

The spatial sound gradually increases into disorienting sounds and vibrations

The user is first inside a dark room which leads to a tunnel .

The user is then transported into the tunnel and taken to space.

Upon landing in space the user can gaze at the planets and start interacting with the environment, destroying rocks, moving things around, etc. 

The longer the user is in space, the universe becomes darker and it’s harder to move.

There is almost no gravity, so the user has to be quick in his actions  because otherwise all the asteroids and the bat will be far away in space.

The user can choose to play with the bat, play with the asteroids, fly around the planets, stargaze, teleport, jump. With the use of motion controllers the users can pick up any objects, throw them or grab them. Also, with the help of motion controllers the user can teleport and fly in any direction whatsoever.

THE IDEA BEHIND:

Initially, we wanted to create a combination of an astral projection and space traveling but we realised that these two things cannot really be mixed in a comprehensive way, so we decided to create a tunnel with disorienting sounds that will lead you to the space. We want the user to be able to experience spacewalking, low gravity and a bit of disorientation. The word that hopefully describes our project is "mesmerising".

THE SOUND:

We are using two different soundtracks for two different levels. The first level has more relaxing background sound whereas the second level has more spacial and acoustical sound. First, we wanted to leave the space level without any sounds because there are no sounds in space but then we changed our minds and put a very deep, profound soundtrack.

THE RESULT:

Our initial plan for the project and the final result are somewhat the same. The only difference is that we did not put any emphasis on the astral projection part and just simplified it to a tunnel with disorienting sounds. We are pretty satisfied with the outcome since we have spent around 45 hours or more. As of right now, we are hoping to further improve it and add a more succinct concept.

POSSIBLE IMRROVEMENTS:

We definitely need to work on the concept behind the experience. Add a backstory and more interactions, or even simply narrow it down to just one little thing and focus on it. Either a tunnel or the space.

In the cosmic level, we have completely changed the surroundings. The user can

fly in space as there is almost no gravity, pick up the bat and smash the asteroids with it, pick up the asteroids and throw them in space, teleport and stargaze.

Upon loading the level, the user immediately starts seeing things flying up,

so he has to act quickly so that he does not

miss the bat. Once the asteroids and the bat are too

far away, the experience stops. The user may choose

To stay put and just observe or may go crazy

and interact with everything.