2017

Role

Design Engineer

Client

Google

Services

Game Design

UI/UX

C#

3D Art

Collaborators

Danny Cannizzaro

Samantha Gorman

Mitch Mastroni

Zach Suite

Virtual Virtual Reality

Virtual Virtual Reality is an award-winning virtual reality game built with Google for the Daydream VR headset.

Together with directors Samantha and Danny, we created a 3-hour narrative game about VR, A.I. and our shared sci-fi fever dreams.

As the Lead Designer, my role was to lead development on the games systems, UX, 3D art, and interaction design.

With a starting team of 4 that grew to 8, we executed an amazing vision from 0 to 1.

2017

Role

Design Engineer

Client

Google

Services

Game Design

UI/UX

C#

3D Art

Collaborators

Danny Cannizzaro

Samantha Gorman

Mitch Mastroni

Zach Suite

Virtual Virtual Reality

Virtual Virtual Reality is an award-winning virtual reality game built with Google for the Daydream VR headset.

Together with directors Samantha and Danny, we created a 3-hour narrative game about VR, A.I. and our shared sci-fi fever dreams.

As the Lead Designer, my role was to lead development on the games systems, UX, 3D art, and interaction design.

With a starting team of 4 that grew to 8, we executed an amazing vision from 0 to 1.

2017

Role

Design Engineer

Client

Google

Services

Game Design

UI/UX

C#

3D Art

Collaborators

Danny Cannizzaro

Samantha Gorman

Mitch Mastroni

Zach Suite

Virtual Virtual Reality

Virtual Virtual Reality is an award-winning virtual reality game built with Google for the Daydream VR headset.

Together with directors Samantha and Danny, we created a 3-hour narrative game about VR, A.I. and our shared sci-fi fever dreams.

As the Lead Designer, my role was to lead development on the games systems, UX, 3D art, and interaction design.

With a starting team of 4 that grew to 8, we executed an amazing vision from 0 to 1.

Problem

At the time there were very few rules about how to make virtual reality content.

With our small nimble team, we were tasked with building a highly responsive and immersive VR game in 1 year. We had to punch way above our weight.

Virtual Virtual Reality had to look and feel great, but run on a Google Pixel, as the Google Daydream was a mobile headset.

Process

The project began by identifying a suitable interaction for manipulating objects with the game controller.

Zach Suite designed a great system that gave objects proper heft, while also giving the player extreme precision.

Designing the intro sequence and tutorial were my first major tasks. Working closely with Samantha Gorman's script and voice talent, we figured out a game design workflow that let us rapidly iterate on scenes.

With Danny Cannizzaro we developed a colorful vertex painted 3D art style that used simulated light sources and fog.

Daily tasks for my role were a combination of C# development, 3D modeling, and game design.

Outcome

Virtual Virtual Reality arrived on the Google Daydream and was a major success. When the Oculus Go mobile headset came out its reach extended further.

It was honored at the Independent Games Festival, Future of Storytelling, VRAwards, and Tribeca Games Festival.

Today it is on every major available headset, has a rating of 4.5/5, and has a sequel.