For the next phase I used Maya to make a blockout for the environment. I made all the assets myself due to my desire to create and love for the arts of SOMA. I played around with lights in maya as well, since I never really experimented with it. Since the scene takes place on the bottom of the ocean, it had to express a very dark atmosphere. For the picture on the banner above I turned up the level of the ambient light a bit, so you can see the environment better.
There is no fog yet added to the scene, which is very important to add for the atmosphere and mystery element. You cannot see very far in the distance in the SOMA underwater scenes, which adds to the experience and thrill.
To make the interaction and puzzle elements easier to communicate I gave some elements a specific color:
Purple box = represents the player
Orange = interactable (player can click or pull)
Blue = hint (player can use the visual representation as a hint)
Green = goal
Sources of light:
Yellow = a modest light source
Red = an unpositive light source (means"danger" or "something is off")
Scifi-blue = it's the color that is spread by the WAU when it is in control of massive amounts of energy
Green = a positive light source
Overview reminder: puzzle places
Interactive data buffer that communicates a call for help from station Rho.
You can see the next event in the distance already. This should not be the case, and therefore I need to add fog very soon.
This creature is bad news in SOMA. So I hope that the player will think the same. With a clear texture on the sand I should be able to give a hint to a path that leads around the enemy.
Distant perspective view
Small shelter will not be completely visible when fog is added
Lamp on the right will shine some lights on the path
Terminal is blue (hint for noticing that the tentacle is disturbing the electricity)
The door is green because it represents the goal
The WAU expresses blue light from its core
red lights (something is off)
tentacle expresses blue light on the end
orange energy source (interactive)
red lights (something is off)
tentacle expresses blue light on the end
orange energy source (interactive)
cable is blue (hint for noticing that the the station and the shelter are connected)
tentacle expresses blue light on the end
orange energy source (interactive)
lever is interactive
Green lights fill the atmosphere
Area gets more modest lighting
lever is interactive