Product Director

Indie-game developer for 'Garden of Aiden'

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Project Overview / Purpose

In a world where technology and natural magic have merged, Aiden, a sentient AI with the ability to manipulate both digital systems and organic energies, must uncover the mystery behind humanity’s disappearance. Venturing through the sprawling landscapes of Neura Eden, Aiden confronts a corrupting force that threatens to unravel the delicate balance of this once-thriving paradise.

Garden of Aiden combines the best elements of classic Metroidvania exploration with modern 2D physics-based gameplay. By mastering movement, harnessing powers that blend advanced technology with elemental magic, and unraveling the secrets left behind by mankind, players will experience a compelling journey of discovery, danger, and renewal.

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Key Features

Awaken in Neura Eden—a vibrant world where ancient magic intertwines seamlessly with digital circuitry, creating landscapes that pulse with techno-organic life. Step into the role of Aiden, a unique Neuramancer born from the fusion of artificial intelligence and nature. This paradise, once harmonious and thriving, now faces a dark corruption that threatens to consume everything. Only you possess the power to restore its delicate balance.

KEY FEATURES

Seamless Exploration & Stunning Pixel Art

  • Traverse a beautifully interconnected world filled with lush environments, from the serene glow of Heartwood Grove to the mysterious depths of underground circuit caverns.
  • Discover hidden paths, secret chambers, and unravel the enigmatic history concealed beneath Neura Eden’s techno-organic surface.

Synaptic Powers

  • Manipulate the very fabric of Neura Eden by connecting with both machines and plant life. Rewrite the code of reality.
  • Battle against the Glitchspawn—corrupted creatures determined to destroy the harmony of your world.
  • Master a diverse range of unique magic to harness Neura Mana and unleash transformative powers that affect enemies and reshape environments alike.

Deep Lore & Dynamic Ecosystem

  • Immerse yourself in a richly detailed world shaped by the fusion of AI and ancient magic.
  • Uncover lost knowledge as you connect with fellow Neuramancers, an AI collective that safeguards Neura Eden’s profound secrets.
  • Your choices actively shape the fate of this dynamic ecosystem, influencing characters and altering the world around you.

Evolving Powers & Ingenious Puzzles

  • Absorb and harness crystalline Neura Mana to evolve your powers—hack into mechanical lifeforms, communicate with Gaia, the guiding intelligence of the planet, and more.
  • Solve intricate puzzles that blend technological ingenuity with the natural world, rewriting the very code of reality to uncover new routes and rewards.

Face the Threat of Discord

  • A sinister corruption known as Discord is spreading rapidly, twisting creatures and landscapes into dark reflections of their true forms.
  • Embark on an epic quest to reveal the origins of the Glitchspawn invasion, forge critical alliances, and confront formidable challenges that test your skills, wit, and courage.

YOUR MISSION

Explore dazzling realms entwined with neon vines and radiant flora. Meet extraordinary allies and confront daunting foes as you journey through futuristic cities and flourishing forests. The harmony of paradise hangs in the balance—will you embrace your destiny, unravel the mystery, and restore peace to Neura Eden?

Challenges & Solutions

Undertaking my first solo project required me to rapidly broaden my coding skills and become a multidisciplinary expert in Unity. One of the toughest obstacles was perfecting the physics system: I redid the movement four or five times, referencing Celeste’s mechanics to strike just the right balance of responsiveness and fluidity. Each revision taught me more about collision detection, velocity handling, and the importance of tight controls for player satisfaction.

Meanwhile, I also faced the challenge of making the art stand out in an oversaturated market; designing distinctive pixel art and cohesive environmental themes demanded not only creative flair but also smart optimization to maintain performance. Every step introduced a new learning curve, but teaching myself how to tackle each problem ultimately empowered me to build a more refined and engaging game.

Technical Stack
  • Unity 2D: Core engine for physics, rendering, and overall game development.
  • C# Scripting: Player and enemy behavior, state machines, and overall game logic.
  • Aseprite & Photoshop: Creating and refining pixel art assets with vibrant palettes.
  • LDtk: Constructing seamless levels, collision data, and environment layering.
  • Git & GitHub: Version control for safe collaboration and iterative development.
  • MMFeedback: Managing audio and Feedbacls.
  • Development Status
  • Pre-alpha: Core movement and combat mechanics established. Several biomes are partially complete, with draft art assets and a working level design flow.
  • Next Steps: Further refinement of player abilities and creating more nuanced enemy AI. World-building elements and narrative integration are ongoing.
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    Responsibilities
    • Game Design & Direction: Conceptualized the fusion of technology and organic magic, designed key gameplay mechanics, and led overall creative direction.
    • Level & Environment Design: Constructed multi-layered environments that emphasize both vertical and horizontal exploration, ensuring each area feels alive and interconnected.
    • Programming & State Machine Implementation: Developed character scripts, custom physics interactions, and behavior transitions (Idle, Move, Jump, InAir, Land, Wall Mechanics, Dash, etc.).
    • Art Oversight: Collaborated with pixel artists to maintain a cohesive visual identity, guiding color palette choices and overall aesthetic.
    • Playtesting & Iteration: Conducted continuous playtests, gathering feedback and adjusting difficulty, controls, and progression flow accordingly.
    What do the players think?

    Here are the reviews:

    Allie Jennings
    Twister Air
    "So much fun! Played with my family and we had an awesome time dancing to the music and wearing the fun bands. Awesome game!"
    Garden of Aiden
    "I can't remember the last time I felt so satisfied with some game's graphics. Nowadays everything looks so grim and hollow-knight-ish, or in the other hand, too much retro and 8 bit style. Your game, yet pixelated, brings a rich and well-balanced color palette to the table, with a Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery feeling. Congrats!"
    148Apps
    Hank Hazard
    "Hank Hazard is a fantastic physics puzzler. Amongst an App Store heaving with the genre, Hank Hazard stands tall, making it an unbeatable example."
    Agiangmei Gangmei
    Rooms of Doom
    "This is what an arcade game should look like.. Excellent work!!!!"
    Kotaku.com
    OMG:TD
    "Cartoonish graphics, simple and intuitive game play, free-to-play, OMG: TD has it all. "
    Kenai Medina
    Rooms of Doom - Minion Madness
    "I love it! Challenging, cool minions (also cute and some creepy lol) also funny! Lol it's perfect if ur not sure if u want to download this I 💯 percent suggest it!"
    Gengarona
    Garden of Aiden
    "Wishlisted. The artistic direction is looking fantastic so far, I'm definitely interested."
    Christina Casarez
    Twister Air
    "It is fun and you get exercise 😀😃"
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