Anemia
Role:Creative Direction
Art Direction
Game Design
Collaborator: Molly Carrick, Developer
Emma Lentz, Designer
Miguel Kunkle, 3D Modeler
Luke McDermott, Project Manager
Duration:Jan - Mar 2025
Project Overview:
Anemia is a body-controlled endless runner game developed in collaboration with Iowa 4-H for their two-day Science Fair event. We worked on a lounge area alongside the game with the intention of fostering moments of conversation and connection between students and visitors during their 4-H Science Fair experience.
Players control a red blood cell navigating subliminal interpretations of the human body. The objective is to travel as far as possible while remaining healthy and avoiding decayed cells scattered throughout the environment. A decay rate and corresponding obscuration of the path further lend to to a gameplay experience that feels thrilling and helpless.
Game and lounge in use at event
Viewing screen in lounge areaScreenshots from the various environments
Process
With a "science-related game" being our only initial requirement, we explored
aspects such as narrative, visual style, and user controls. Once a rough concept was formulated, we used the MDA (Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics) game design framework to establish the game vision and the steps to achieve it.
Graphic signage placementLayout ideas for the lounge
Brainstorming for game aspects
Game Development
The game mechanics derive inspiration from aspects of the circulatory system, space exploration, and the blood condition Anemia
Initial environment level ideationOpenCV skeleton. Head and hand tracking used for game control
UI and visual design.
UI and visual design.
UI and visual design.
UI and visual design.
UI and visual design.
UI and visual design.
Bad cells
VignetteAiding cells
End score screen
Print Media
All the print media
Final layout and signage
In Action
Where everything comes together. An enriching project where I got to nurture an idea and see it come together with our team across a physical and digital experience.