Tengoku's Den Game Showcase
Game Design & 3D Modeling
Zoolland: Research, Design, Test, Feedback and repeat!
Although designing the core of the game was my priority, doing 3D modelling occupied most of my time after finishing with the defining phase. Working on Zoolland required the team to do their own research to solve a "case problem”, later in the project testing and iteration were necessary in order to prove why our product fit with the target audience.
Gameplay Preview
In the mind of the creator
Original Concept
A combination of Tycoon with clicker aspects, the player builds up currency to build and upgrade habitats while keeping the prosperity levels high.
Gameplay Experience
Players oversee their zoo from a top-down view, a relaxing cycle of attracting visitors for currency, then investing in and upgrading habitats. Engaging mini-games – cleaning, feeding, healing – boost animal happiness, directly impacting visitor satisfaction and income. This creates a satisfying loop of progression and growth, driven by nurturing care.
Game Thematic
The game's thematic is joyful, low-stress zoo ownership. Players nurture animal and visitor happiness via tasks and upgrades, seeking relaxation and satisfaction. With warm, bright visuals and no punishment, the experience is building a thriving, atmosphere where positive progression defines success.
Key takeway from the project development
Working at the Zoolland project gave me the opportunity to sharpen my skills of Game/Content Designer, being the main designer of the project I successfully "translate” my teammates and my ideas into a fully fleshed prototype. Beside this, I also focused on 3D Modelling, being one of the 2 people responsible for the models and the art part, with this occasion I enhanced my skills of working in Blender! In terms of programming, I successfully adapted to the basics of Unity, although with no C# previous experience, I managed to create a minigame for our project.
An aspect that played an important role in the project group was communication, something that we had problems in the beginning. The other members were rather introverts, and with this opportunity I refined my empath skills, using my positive attitude, I tried to help them grow out of their comfort zone so we can form a stronger bond. This specially help me to understand more human reasoning, a subject that I am passionate about.
Another set of skills that I proudly acquired while working on the project was the ability to do field/desk research, testing my product, getting feedback through various ways and implementing the feedback to please the audience! My socials skills helped me to get this through, knowing how to communicate with people in the way they understand me it's a skill that I really enjoy honing.