Shrink
A first-person puzzle game where you change size to solve puzzles, created for Ludum Dare 38.
Project Overview
Shrink is a first-person puzzle game my friend Shen S. and I created during the Ludum Dare 38 game jam in 2017. The theme of the jam was "A Small World," which inspired us to create a game where the primary mechanic involves changing your size to solve puzzles.
We took over my employer's office for the weekend and transformed it into our personal game studio. With just 48 hours to complete the project, we focused on creating a compelling core mechanic that would set our game apart from other submissions.
The game features a narrative inspired by Alice in Wonderland, where the player must navigate through a series of rooms, shrinking in size to access small spaces and solve puzzles. The storytelling element, with voice acting, adds depth to the gameplay experience and ties everything together thematically.
Shrink ranked 233rd overall out of all submissions, with our best performance in the Innovation category where we placed 86th. For a weekend project created by two people with limited game development experience, we were quite pleased with the results.
Development Challenges
Object Collisions
One of the biggest technical challenges was implementing proper object collisions when the player changes size. Creating consistent physics interactions between differently sized objects required careful calibration of Unity's collision system.
Time Constraints
With only 48 hours to develop the game, we had to make strategic decisions about what features to prioritize. We focused on core mechanics and narrative elements, while keeping the visual style simple but consistent.
Player Controls
Based on player feedback, we discovered that the first-person controls felt too sensitive, especially when navigating through the maze-like environments. We would improve the control scheme in future iterations.
Puzzle Design
Creating puzzles that made clever use of the size-changing mechanic was both a challenge and a fun exercise in game design. We had to balance difficulty with intuitive solutions that felt satisfying to discover.
Results & Feedback
Our game received a variety of feedback from the Ludum Dare community. Players particularly appreciated the innovative use of the size-changing mechanic and the atmospheric storytelling with voice acting.
Ludum Dare 38 Results
- Overall:233rd (3.632 average)
- Fun:195th (3.526 average)
- Innovation:86th (3.833 average)
- Theme:151st (3.842 average)
- Mood:284th (3.421 average)
Player Quotes
"The voice is cool, and adds to the overall mood!"
"Very nice idea and execution! Really loved the puzzle part."
"Love the music and voice. Intriguing and I think you guys managed to fit the theme quite well!"
The feedback we received also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly regarding control sensitivity and collision detection. These insights would be valuable for future game development projects.
What I Learned
Game Development Skills
This project pushed my C# and Unity skills to new heights. Working with physics, 3D environments, and game mechanics in a compressed timeframe strengthened my technical abilities and problem-solving skills.
Rapid Prototyping
The game jam format taught me how to quickly prototype ideas, test them, and iterate. I learned the importance of focusing on a core mechanic that works well rather than trying to implement too many features.
Collaboration
Working with Shen taught me valuable lessons about collaboration in game development. We divided responsibilities based on our strengths – I focused on programming and mechanics while Shen handled the narrative and design elements.
Community Feedback
The Ludum Dare community provided valuable feedback that helped me understand what aspects of game design resonate with players. This experience taught me how to better receive and incorporate constructive criticism.