the squAred circle
overview
Immerse yourself in an abstract action-adventure in "The Squared Circle," where art and combat intertwine. Choose from three unique shapes and wield the transformative "Midas Blade" in a world painted in bold black, white, yellow, and red. Engage in battles that spill paint to reveal hidden texts, delving deep into your psyche. Experience a game that mirrors you, not just represents you, unraveling a narrative that's as much about self-discovery as it is about action.
objective
Develop an experimental game that integrates psychological and philosophical elements into an abstract art style, centering on an innovative combat mechanic.
key features
the midas blade: A dynamic sword offering a unique combat experience by allowing the player to switch between light and heavy modes at any moment during attack animations.
vibrant aesthetic: A palette inspired by alchemical symbolism, creating a distinct visual identity.
psychological depth: Leveraging Carl Jung's theories for an introspective player experience as a backbone for the narrative.
the e.p.u. (emotional processing unit): Grounded in Piaget's and Pennebaker's research, enhancing player engagement through encouragement of introspection and journaling.
my role
As the Sole Developer over 3 months, I managed and developed every aspect, from the initial concept to systems design and intricate AI and gameplay programming.
design contributions
unique world building: Employed a distinctive alchemical color scheme, enhancing the game's thematic depth.
narrative integration: Wove gameplay with Jungian psychology for a reflective player experience.
innovative combat system: Developed the Midas Blade mechanic, adding strategic depth through mastery of switching the blade's heavy and light modes.
collaboration with experts: Partnered with a shape theory specialist for character design and a psychologist for accurate psychological integration.
adaptive enemy ai: Created diverse combat encounters with scalable Pyramids and Cubes.
sound design: Crafted an evolving soundscape for immersive gameplay.
technical contributions
midas blade coding: Achieved seamless combat transitions by implementing a frame-by-frame state management and a flexible animation integration.
enemy ai development: Utilized advanced AI programming for varied enemy behaviors.
optimized decal system: Enhanced visual clarity and performance.
performance optimization: Ensured a minimum of smooth 60FPS across various systems.
efficient object-pooling: Improved long-session performance by 20% through creating an object pooling system without sacrificing player experience.
development tools: Employed Unity and C# for optimal performance and version control with Plastic SCM.
key challenges and solutions
challenge: Developing a complex game single-handedly, a task typically handled by larger teams.
solution: Adopted an ultra-abstract art style to streamline asset creation and focused on modular design. This approach maximized efficiency while maintaining high quality.
challenge: Creating a deeply narrative-driven experience within an abstract art style.
solution: Conducted extensive research into psychological and philosophical literature, integrating these elements into the narrative and gameplay to craft a unique and transformative player experience.
technology used
Utilized Unity and C# in Microsoft Visual Studio, featuring innovative coding for the Midas Blade and FSMs for an intuitively scalable enemy AI.
entirety of the player combat code as a snippet
( sorry for light mode, i don't control github gists :) )
key learnings and reflections
Gained deep insights into psychological and philosophical theories shaping my creative vision.
Transformed design constraints into strengths through intelligent decisions and incorporated that mindset as an internal skill.
Enhanced expertise in various game programming aspects, from AI to Gameplay and Systems Design.
research insights
thesis analysis: Investigated the psychological impact of game design on player processing for my Bachelor's Thesis.
carl jung's individuation: Integrated into gameplay for emotional regulation to encourage player reflection.
jean piaget's symbolic play: Allowed players to project personal symbolism onto enemies, enriching their interaction.
thesis presented below
Kiarash Taherkhani - Thesis.pdffeedback & recognition
Received high praise from industry professionals and players, with a 95% admiration rate and an 85% completion rate in playtests. Evoked a strong emotional impact on players, with most players praising the game as "mind-bending" and "thought-provoking".
download the game
Delve into the unique world of The Squared Circle. Click the link below to download and experience the game that intertwines combat with a journey into the psyche. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback on the game!
note: The version available for download below is a short curated demo of certain features of the game, not the full intended experience.
conclusion
"The Squared Circle" represents not just a culmination of my technical skills and creative vision but also a journey into uncharted territories of game design where psychology meets interactive storytelling. It has been a deeply enriching experience, pushing the boundaries of what games can convey and how they resonate with players.
I am enthusiastic about discussing this project and exploring new opportunities in the gaming industry. Your thoughts, feedback, or inquiries are most welcome!