Category: Development

Written by Lettie

Development Process For:

Character

Animals

Cutscene

Personal Website

Character

Specifications

Animals

Specifications

A3 sixed Photoshop document 300ppi

8 Frames

14 Frames

Cutscene

Specifications

1920 x 1080 Canvas size, 300ppi.

50 frames at 10 frames a second

Written by Swan

Here are all the environmental art assets I’ve prepared for clearing.

↑ Frames of the animation

Written by Yulia

This narrative iteration builds on the initial story foundation of Soul Keeper and introduces two additional conceptual layers:
1. Ecological fading as a process of forgetting rather than destruction
2. The Keeper’s conditional existence, sustained by relational trust

These refinements align the emotional arc of the story with the game’s ecological systems, strengthening thematic cohesion between worldbuilding and gameplay.

There is no evidence of destruction in the forest, everything appears to be all right. The quiet bloom of woods and the sound of streams still light up the quiet wilderness. However, subtle changes are taking place. Plants drift further from familiar pathways, animals take refuge far from home, and winds carry strange scents from afar.

This did not happen overnight but has been gradual. The strength of connections within the forest is declining, as bonds between places slowly break. The world is not going to end but instead is forgetting how to function.

The Origin of the Forest Keeper

A new being called the Forest Keeper emerged from the forest. She was not a hero from beyond; she was the forest itself. Her form was built of bark, blades of grass, and petals, as if the world was falling apart because of chaos. When she woke up, she didn’t know this world, but she knew why she was here. The Forest Keeper will not last forever. She will exist only as long as the forest exists. If the creatures stop believing in her, if the relationship continues to break, she will die too. For that reason, the Forest Keeper is not nature’s king but just proof that the forest still knows itself.

The Call of the Players
When players enter the game, the following words will appear on the screen:

‘Wake up, Forest Keeper.
Nature has called for you. The creatures are waiting.
Explore the forest. Help them. Earn their trust’

This is not the hero’s call. Players don’t go to fight enemies but are invited here to rekindle the bonds between nature and its inhabitants. They have to roam through the forest, help the animals, and slowly win their trust in this game.

Creating a Stress-Free Game Environment

In this dimension, the Keeper’s path is free of slaughter or battle; it is about rebuilding bonds. As players traverse different zones, observe their surroundings, and assist forest creatures, some natural relationships will be re-established in the ecosystem. With every exchange, animals trust you more and the forest connects again. As the nourishment of these connections begins to occur, the Keeper herself becomes clearer and steadier.

A World that Responds to the Player

The world of Soul Keeper has a sleepy dream-like quality to it, though the action is slow to get underway. The forest can be neglected, but it does not just collapse suddenly.

The equilibrium of the world will be determined by the actions of the player. The Keeper helps nurture this world’s memory of life by tending to animals, exploring the forest, and restoring connections between areas.

Written by Misty

GameLoop

Start Menu
The player begins at the Start Menu and selects Start to begin the game.

↓

Opening
An Opening sequence introduces the background and provides basic gameplay instructions to guide the player.

↓

Clearing Scene
The player enters the first playable area: the Clearing.
Here, the player encounters a Peacock and can interact with it to trigger the first task.

↓

Peacock Minigame
The player must hold down the mouse button to wipe away the dust on the peacock, revealing its original vibrant colours.

↓

Return to the Clearing
After completing the minigame, the player returns to the Clearing scene.
A Peacock Soul Fragment appears. Interacting with it will:

• Unlock the Peacock entry in the Notebook
• Unlock the next area

↓

Lake Scene
The player travels to the Lake. In this area, the player:

1. Collect resources
2. Feed the deer
3. Interact with the deer after feeding it
4. Get the Deer Soul Fragment
5. Unlock the Deer entry in the Notebook.

↓

Ending

Game over, exit or back to the start menu.

–

Task Allocation

Here are the expected playable core mechanics in two scenes of this game.

	Clearing Scene	Lake Scene
Start Menu & Instruction	Misty developed	NA
Item Collection	NA	Misty developed
Animal Interaction	Misty developed	Misty developed
Animal Puzzle	Ollie developed	NA
Get Soulfragement	Misty developed	Misty developed
Unlock Notebook Page	Misty developed	Misty developed
Ending	NA	Misty developed

Meanwhile, I’m also in charge of adjusting art assets, animation, the UI system, and character movement. etc

–

Collaboration with Team members

All team members and I update each other on our progress during our weekly group discussions and communicate in real time via the Slack channel.

with Technical Designer Ollie

I created a GitHub repository and invited Ollie to join.
I was responsible for developing the main game, and he was in charge of the peacock minigame.
We initially worked on separate branches. Once he had fully developed the minigame, he merged it into my branch, and we coordinated the integration.

“Zer046” is my account.

with Artists, Swan and Lettie

Initially, I helped allocate art tasks to Swan and Lettie and suggested they coordinate their art styles by searching for references together.
Once they had completed the art assets they were responsible for, they would send me the original PNG files via email or the Slack channel.
After downloading them, I imported them into the engine and refined the scenes and animations. I then send them screenshots or videos of the refined work in the engine to seek their feedback on visual improvements.
I would also raise feedback to their work, such as ‘the map colours are too dark’, ‘this asset doesn’t blend well with the others’ or ‘the animation transitions aren’t smooth’, and discuss potential solutions with them.

with World Designer Yulia

At first, Yulia wasn’t entirely clear about her responsibilities and wasn’t used to communicating with the team via Slack. So I started by chatting with her in Chinese on WeChat to explain what she needed to do for the group.

This included researching the world-building, developing the character profiles, and crafting the opening narrative.

After that, we also discussed the sound effect:

Sound, Light and Effects – Misty Zhang

As other team members mentioned that she only messaged me privately, meaning the rest of us couldn’t keep track of her progress, I suggested she post all questions and updates to the Slack channel.

–

First Playtest Development

The first playtesting session was scheduled for Week 5 of development. During the preparation phase in the first four weeks, my main goal was to implement all core gameplay mechanics in the first scene (Clearing) that we intended to evaluate in this initial test.

My development blog for the first playtest are in the following links:

Coding Development: Scene & Camera

Coding Development: Player Character

Coding Development: UI

Coding Development: Animal Auto Navigation

Coding Development: Animation

Coding Development: Item System

This stage prioritised creating a playable vertical slice that could demonstrate the complete gameplay loop.

–

First Playtest Outcome

I was able to include a complete game loop of the core mechanics in this playtest. However, there were some tech issues still existing which disturbed the player’s experience.

Here is the feedback we collected during the playtest and the form I organised later, to help myself clarify the issue, the way to improve, and the expected outcome:

First Playtest – 26.02.2026 – Soul Keeper

Based on this, I started to refine mechanics and interaction logic in Week 6:

First Playtest Refinement – Misty Zhang

Coding Development: Draggable Item – Misty Zhang

–

Second Playtest Development

Second Playtest Preparation – Misty Zhang

Sound, Light and Effects – Misty Zhang

–

Second Playtest Refinement

Second Playtest Refinement – Misty Zhang

Second Playtest – 19.03.2026 – Soul Keeper

By Scarlett White

Our 2.5D vertical slice will consist of an opening cutscene, two interactive environments with an animal in each that you must gain the trust of by picking up items. ​

Once the animals trust you, they will give you part of their souls. You will also be able to add them to your notebook whereupon you will have completed your soul keeper training and will become the new soul keeper​

Mechanics​

• Walking​
• Sprinting​
• Inventory system​
• Notebook system​
• Peacock minigame​

Art Assets​

• Main menu cutscene​
• Character idle/walking/sprinting​
• Deer idle/interaction​
• Peacock idle/interaction​
• World map​
• Lake area​
• Clearing area​
• Notebook menu UI​

Written by Yulia

This page explores the evolving world behind our project.
It presents the narrative foundation, ecological relationships, and character context that define the Forest Keeper’s journey.

Together, these elements shape a unified and intentional fantasy setting.

Solid arrows — water flow
Dashed arrows — seed dispersal
Lines — elevation
Icons — animals

Ecosystem Logic

1. Regional Ecological Roles

The three explorable locations exist as interconnected ecological layers rather than isolated visual spaces.
• Lake functions as a hydration and biodiversity hub supporting plant growth and aquatic-dependent species.
• Clearing acts as a transitional ecosystem where diverse flora spreads and animals interact across territories.
• Cliffside represents an environmental boundary linking the forest to the oceanic system and supporting species adapted to elevation and exposure.

These areas provide natural habitats for the six key animal species and establish ecological credibility within the world.

2.Material Circulation Between Regions

Ecological connectivity is expressed through:
• Seed dispersal
Shared plant species such as grasses may propagate across all regions
• Water flow
Possible movement from inland environments toward the ocean beneath the cliff
• Animal migration logic (design-supported)
Even if not explicitly simulated, environmental storytelling can suggest movement patterns through tracks, plant disturbance, or nesting remains

Resource Integration

1.Resource Origin

Most resources are naturally generated ecosystem materials, such as:
• plants
• branches
• fruits

These are consistent with environmental ecology rather than artificial sources.

2.Regeneration

Plant-based resources are implicitly renewable, reinforcing the theme of natural continuity and sustainability.

3.Environmental Impact of Collection

Resource gathering does not degrade the environment.

Instead:
• reinforces the Keeper’s nurturing role
• supports animal wellbeing
• maintains ecological balance

This aligns with the game’s non-punitive exploration philosophy.

Spatial Narrative

1.Intended Player Emotion

Upon entering each region, the player should experience:
• curiosity driven by the unknown
• emotional safety
• companionship through animal presence
• a sense of purpose and responsibility

The world communicates guidance rather than danger.

2.Visual Navigation Cues

Player direction is subtly supported through:
• water flow
• vegetation density variation
• elevation shifts
• plant species differentiation

These form diegetic pathfinding structures.

Animal Placement Logic

Animals inhabit regions based on ecological suitability rather than arbitrary placement.

Their presence reinforces:
• environmental authenticity
• biome identity
• gameplay diversity

Each species’ location reflects habitat compatibility and supports interaction design.

World Expansion Potential

1.Expansion Zones

Future regions could include:
• desert ecosystems
• introducing new survival-adapted fauna

This maintains ecological diversity scaling.

2.Escalating Ecological Risk

Narrative stakes may increase through:
• resource scarcity
• species endangerment
• environmental imbalance

3.Player Impact

The Keeper’s actions can evolve from:
• local care
→ ecosystem stabilisation
→ structural world restoration

Creating progression in environmental agency.