Edoverse

Take a trip back through time and enter an evolving immersive 3D world inspired by the monumentally historical Edo period in Japan. The Edoverse will take inspiration from the real world while bringing an interactive, elevated experience.

Role: UX & UI Designer, Art Director
Duration:
Sept - Dec 2022
Industry: Web3, Video game

Game Minimal Viable Product (MVP)

The Challenge

How might we bring an ancient Japanese city to life in an immersive virtual world?

The Edoverse aims to give players a unique opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and daily life of the Edo period in a fully-realized, interactive virtual world. This period in Japan's history is particularly iconic, and Edo, in particular, is beloved for its rich history and culture. Even today, the extravagance and innovation of the people who lived in Edo continue to captivate people around the world. For enthusiasts of this era, the chance to travel back in time and explore the lost city of Edo is an alluring one.

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The Approach

Experience the past in a contemporary world

MVP User flow

Prototype and wireframe requirements

Wireframe overview

Design

Adopting artistic and cultural traditions of the past

Through careful research and attention to detail, we were able to draw on these rich cultural traditions to create a visual language that resonates with players on a deeper level. Traditional Japanese art, specifically from the Tokugawa shogunate period, adds authenticity to the gaming experience and its UI that cannot be achieved through other means. We created a visual language that evokes the beauty and sophistication of Japanese culture, making the gaming experience more immersive and memorable for players. Overall, we are proud to have created an experience that entertains and celebrates the richness of Japanese culture through its design.

R&D document →Proposed ideas & iterations→

Traditional

We draw inspiration from the rich history of Japanese art and design, infusing it with modern sensibilities to create harmonious and enduring experiences.

Harmony

The system strives for a balance between elements such as gameplay mechanics, visuals, and sound. Everything should work together seamlessly to create a unified and immersive experience.

Elegance

The design System focuses on refined aesthetics, incorporating elements of traditional Japanese art and culture. Every visual detail, from character design to environments, reflects this sense of elegance.

Design System fundation examples

I worked with a concept artist to create historically accurate emotes for the experience. I researched and directed the designs while the artist brought rough sketches to life.

I created a centralized component for avatar interactions that can easily expand in size and function. The component allows users to switch between avatars, activate in-game emotes, and access collectibles such as NFTs and wearables. Additionally, users can connect their Zeni/Koban tokens to their preferred wallet.

Considering the interactions among players, the game system, and the in-game environment, I developed a comprehensive pattern of dialog boxes that enhances communication. This pattern serves multiple purposes, including facilitating interactions between users and the game environment, conveying stories through non-playable characters (NPCs), and providing helpful tips and contextual information throughout the game.

Takeaway

Contemporary Design Infused with Traditional Japanese Artistry

Working on Edoverse was a significant challenge. I served as both a UX & UI Designer and an Art Director for the project, a role that presented immense opportunities. I dedicated myself to creating a design language inspired by Japan's Edo era, infused with elements of Japanese art and culture. I aimed to make it relevant not just to history, but also to today's climate and the evolving landscape of web3 initiatives.