Challenging perception and problem-solving through gameplay
I worked as a UX researcher and software engineer on Shifting Perspectives, shaping ideation, user experience, and development.
Collaborators
Artist
Software engineer
Sound composer
Duration
Jan - Apr 2024
About Shifting Perspectives
🎧 Designed to be heard
A 3D narrative game that uses depth perception and level rotation to challenge players with perspective-based puzzles. By manipulating camera angles and world orientation, players uncover hidden paths and solve puzzles to escape the castle.
Some players felt uncertain about the rotation controls.
Players discovered the jump mechanic through trial and error. The game involves multiple key mechanics, and even with early instructions, players often forget or confuse which keys control each rotation.
How might we guide players to learn and retain game mechanics effectively?
1 / Interactive tutorial
Players familiarize themselves with key controls through an interactive playground before progressing.
2 / In-game reminders
At key points in the interior level, players receive reminders for horizontal rotation to reinforce familiarity.
3 / Real-time feedback
When players attempt to change the world’s orientation, they can immediately see how the world reacts to their input. The environment only rotates once the key is fully pressed past a threshold, allowing players to test and confirm the correct rotation before committing.
Some players expressed frustration with the jump difficulty.
Playtesting showed that players struggled most when climbing into the interior level, frequently failing at the last stair block.
How might we make platform navigation more intuitive and forgiving?
1 / Level design
I refined platform spacing to be more manageable.
2 / Coyote time
I introduced a grace period for more forgiving jumps.
Result
During the final showcase, both new and returning players responded positively — with over 40% completing every level.
Playtesting and iterating often
I realized the importance of early playtesting. Many of my assumptions didn’t hold up once players engaged with the game. Observing players with different levels of gaming experience helped me understand how to balance puzzles — making them both challenging and enjoyable.