CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY, VR DESIGN, UNREAL ENGINE, SPATIAL AUDIO, STORYTELLING
A Magical Cave VR Experience
Born from our passion for exploring creative technologies during COVID, this project evolved alongside our university schedule. My friends and I collaborated across continents, working entirely online to create an experience that was later showcased at SAE Creative Media Institute, Liverpool.
Team
3D Artist, Spatial Audio Engineer, Designer and Developer (me)
Storyline
The Set Theory is a VR walkthrough experience guided by audio cues, inspired by Indian mythology’s reverence for the five natural elements—earth, water, fire, air, and spirit—as the highest forces of existence. Users embark on a meditative journey, interacting with each element until they reach the spirit, which transports them to a higher dimension. This transition is portrayed through a surreal distortion of space and time, where objects slow down and audio warps, symbolizing enlightenment.
Rooted in the Hindu concept of Nirvana, where ultimate peace is achieved through self-realization and unity with the elements, this experience reimagines that journey through technology. It raises a thought-provoking question: Can technology facilitate self-discovery and enlightenment, or does it act as a barrier to attaining Nirvana?
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.
Research & Planning
Conducted market research to explore existing VR applications in the meditative and storytelling space. Tripp on Meta Quest emerged as a key reference, standing out for its bold use of special effects and immersive audio to enhance meditation. Unlike other apps, Tripp integrated breathing techniques into transitions and interactions, culminating in an experience where users engage with a lotus or mandala—symbols of enlightenment. Inspired by this approach, we sought to push the concept further, designing an experience that not only represents enlightenment but also explores how peace and transcendence are deeply felt by the user.
Design & Prototyping
Our team poured countless hours into refining models and interactions while simultaneously mastering new tools along the way. We started with sketches to bring our ideas to life, which were then transformed into stunning 3D models by our talented artist using Blender. The sound engineer crafted an immersive, transcendent spatial audio experience using FMOD that elevated the journey. I dedicated my time to learning Unreal Engine, building landscapes, designing effects, and scripting blueprints to seamlessly build navigation and activate interactions within the experience.
Implementation
The implementation of the project involved developing in iterations until the project came into fruition. Our design and development went hand in hand. Our sketches were translated into 3D models and brought into life in Unreal Engine through effects and audio cues. The goal was to convert our idea into a stellar experience for our users.
Testing & Optimization
The project followed an iterative design and development process, where multiple users engaged with the experience, providing valuable feedback that guided continuous improvements.
We showcased the project at SAE Creative Media Institute at Liverpool where it bagged the title of the best VR project!
3D Model Design
The cave interior, temple, stage, and spirit embodiment sculpture were custom-designed, while the exterior landscape, entrance cave, nature element indicators, and object textures were sourced and integrated from the marketplace.
Spatial Audio Cues for Navigation
New audio pieces were composed using guitar and FMOD, with enhancements including reverb, echo, and spatial effects for seamless integration with Unreal Engine.
VR Walkthrough and Interaction Design
Special effects from Unreal Engine were integrated and linked to touch interactions using Unreal Engine blueprints. Audio elements were engineered to trigger upon interaction, enhancing immersion. Key scenes included a dynamically forming path upon interacting with the spirit and a Nirvana experience represented through time-space warping—achieved by manipulating object speed, distorting audio, and incorporating effects like a slow explosion, symbolizing transcendence into a new dimension.
"The Set Theory" provides an immersive and meditative journey, combining the primal essence of nature with cutting-edge technology. Users reported feeling a deep connection to the sound cues and described the Spirit as an awe-inspiring revelation, opening their perception to the fluidity of time and space.
User Responses
Users responded positively to the creative concept of experiencing meditation as a VR walkthrough. However, opinions were divided on whether technology serves as a true medium to nirvana. Some felt that nature should be experienced in its pure form, while others argued that humanity has already transcended into a technological era, making it relevant to explore such philosophical themes through technology.
Recognition
The project was recognized as the best VR project at the SAE Creative Media Institute, Liverpool