North Carolina Museum of Art
Engage in Battle Like a Samurai
- Project
- Samurai: The Making of A Warrior
- Client
- North Carolina Museum of Art
- Role
- UX/UI Design, Animation, 3D modeling & texturing, Game Development
- Results
- Successful launch of Interactive Exhibit at the Museum from Oct-Feb
the prompt
Interactive Samurai Battles
To bring Samurai warriors to life in a way that complements an exhibit without overshadowing it, we focused on creating an immersive and interactive experience. By integrating interactive storytelling, visitors can engage with the Samurai's rich history and culture.
The Process
Planning the Battle
We began by sketching each screen, with NCMA providing substantial groundwork in their planning. They detailed how each piece of armor would perform against various weapons and combinations. They also supplied the descriptions and phrasing to be used throughout the experience.
Our task was to craft an engaging experience that was concise enough to maintain a smooth flow through a popular museum. This required intense planning and wireframing to ensure an immersive and easily repeatable experience.
Prepare
Start The Battle
An engaging intro screen welcomes you into the experience. A subtle animation shows the Samurai in a resting pose, with light environmental elements floating, creating an inviting atmosphere for museum visitors.
Select
Choose Your Armor
Select your armor, including the Kabuto (helmet), Mempo (mask), Do (body armor), and Suneate (shin guards), then choose the weapon your Samurai will wield in battle. Each choice leads to unique outcomes.
Engage
See How you did
The results will then be displayed to the visitor, showing the percentage likelihood of success for the armor they selected against the chosen weapon. Visitors can share these results or replay the game.
CRAFTING History
Modeling The Past
Each piece that was give lent to the NCMA was accurately modeled, textured, and lit by our team to the exact specifications of the team of curators at the museum. We then modeled period accurate weapons, provided sound engineering, and brought it all together in an immersive experience deemed worthy by the groups of kids that visited the museum.
We meticulously recreated each piece of Samurai armor displayed at the North Carolina Museum of Art using high-fidelity 3D models and environments. This allowed visitors to explore and select their armor and weapons, enhancing their interactive experience.
Colors Connect Heritage
Crafting for accuracy
We crafted models, materials, and surfaces that met the museum curators' standards. Using normals, UV maps, displacement maps, metallics, and lighting, we integrated everything into a web-based, three.js experience available on the museum's touchscreen displays.
the Result
The perfect interaction
In the end, the exhibit was a resounding success for NCMA, captivating audiences and sparking interest in real-world artifacts in ways previously unimaginable. The interactive elements not only educated visitors about the intricacies of Samurai culture but also provided a dynamic platform for them to connect with history on a personal level.
