The Story: A Journey of Discovery: 
The narrative follows Afi, a young girl on her 13th birthday in West Africa. Her life takes an unexpected turn with the sudden return of her estranged father. This pivotal moment sends Afi on a journey to discover more about her family history, her own identity, and the significance of Jollof rice within her culture.
Your Role: Players influence Afi's journey through meaningful choices, revealing different narrative paths and outcomes. This creates a deeply personal and reflective experience.

Development & Technology:
This project was developed over 16 weeks at the Center for Emerging Media Design and Development at Ball State University.
 

• Game Engine: Built using the Unity engine, specifically focusing on its VR tools.

• 3D Modeling: Cinema4D and Blender were used for creating 3D assets.

• 2D Texturing: Adobe Photoshop was utilized for detailed 2D texture work.

 
Production Strategy 
As a solo developer, a hybrid production approach was used to manage scope and maintain quality:

• AI Assets: Employed Meshy.ai for efficient asset generation.

• Custom Work: Self-modeled core elements.

• Pre-made Resources: Utilized the Unity Asset Store to manage production time.

 
Design & Cultural Authenticity: 
Visual Style: Cel Shading & Color Palette
 
The game features a cel shading art style. This lightweight aesthetic ensures smooth performance across various VR systems while maintaining a distinct, stylized look.
The color palette is a thoughtful fusion of West African landscapes:

• Earthy Browns: Inspired by the desert regions of the north.

• Vibrant Greens: Reflecting the tropical areas of the midwest.
   

This artistic direction powerfully reinforces the narrative's emotional tone and deep cultural roots.

 
Music: 
Music is integral to the storytelling. The score was sourced through my artist.io subscription and features African-inspired compositions to ground the experience in cultural authenticity.