3D Modeling
Video Game Asset Design
Somnium Tenebris
Somnium Tenebris is the first title from Little Leaf Games, a new indie studio led by Adam Krieger and myself. Itās an underwater co-op horror game inspired by Phasmophobia, in which players search a procedurally generated ocean crater via submarine, discovering clues and unmasking the identity of the undersea cryptic that lives in the area.
I joined the project to model some of the key unique assets for the game, mainly the submarine players would spend time in and the control panel theyād use to access different tools and functionalities. I also designed a hermit crab creature, some strange pieces of ruins, and sourced and modified other assets like corals and animal bones.
The Sub
Our submarine required an unrealistic number of windows so that a group of 2-4 players would be able to easily see and have stations within the vessel to operate tools. This craft would likely not be seaworthy, but it worked well for the purposes of this game.
The Control Panel
This was a very time consuming piece of the design, since it was the main interactive object for players. Each station needed to be able to operate a temperature gun, uv light, searchlight, and sonar. I designed the panel a few different ways, then created a final ādecalā to apply in game, as well as areas that would be lit when in use.
The Whale
One key piece of evidence was planned to be a whale carcass, implying the undersea cryptid was able to kill large creatures. We determined that players would discover a possible carcass swarming with undersea insects, having to exit the sub and click on it to reveal whether it was actually a whale or a fake-out whale shaped rock.
