Kelly Lin

VR Zen Garden Simulator
Overview
This is a VR garden simulation game where you can create your own Zen garden on a floating island according to your preferences. In the game, you can shape the sand with a wooden rake, select and plant different flowers, and put a sky lantern. Afterward, you can walk around the fantastic floating island and take a moment to relax and admire the fruits of their labour and the garden.
Genre: Sim
Engine: Unity (C#)
Studio: Mystic Minds Game Studio
My Roles & Contribution
Designing Creative VR Gardening Systems
In VR Zen Garden Simulator, I designed tactile, creativity-focused gardening systems that encouraged players to shape their own floating oasis.

Game Experience

Flow Chart

Instruction Board
Design Accessibility, Interaction Pacing and Maintain Performance
To accommodate all ages and abilities, the game features clear guidance, height-adjusted interactions, and an optional stationary mode for players with limited mobility or who prefer a seated experience.

Accessibility Design
To ensure relaxation, interaction pacing was structured: interactive elements were distributed around the island at natural walking intervals, and visual landmarks subtly guided players without intrusive prompts. Different interaction types (raking, planting, blessing) were designed to flow between focused and exploratory phases.

Interaction Pacing Design
Collaborating with the programming team also helped maintain consistent performance, which contributes to a smooth VR experience.

Consistent Performance for a Smooth VR Experience
Developing Tactile Raking and Planting Systems
Raking and planting mechanics are designed intending to give the player real-time visual, audio, and sensory feedback. When raking sand, the ground immediately shifts beneath the rake’s teeth, providing satisfying visuals and resistance in the form of haptic feedback. Planting followed a hands-on loop: select a seed, dig, water, and nurture growth. Every action was accompanied by soft sound effects and micro-animations to reinforce physicality without overwhelming players, especially VR newcomers.


Designing Emotional Anchors: Lanterns and Graffiti Walls
Beyond gardening, there are two emotional highlights: Sky Lanterns and Graffiti Walls. Players could write blessings on notes and release lanterns into the sky—a meditative act of letting go. They could also paint messages or drawings onto temple-inspired walls, leaving marks for future players to discover.

Lanterns and Graffiti Walls


Lantern Gameplay
Extending Experience Beyond VR: Souvenir Mechanic
To enhance emotional attachment, a souvenir system was designed to let players take a photo inside the garden, then receive a real-world printout as a gift after the event. This feature bridged virtual and physical spaces, offering players a tangible reminder of their personal Zen experience.

Taking Photo Mechanic in GDD
