This project originated from a prototype development class with the theme 'Moving is the only way to survive,' where we had one month to develop a prototype. As a Track & Field athlete at the time, I saw this theme as a perfect fit and developed it into an endless runner to align with the sport.
Context
Trakhell Prototype Assets
Blue Energy State
Red Energy State
Yellow Energy State
Water Bottle
This character is a track athlete equipped with a high-tech suit by his coach to enhance endurance by controlling running pace. I decided against including a stamina bar, as it would make energy management too simplistic for players. Instead, I opted for a more realistic approach, reflecting how energy isn't tracked by a stamina bar in real life. The suit concept draws inspiration from how athletes use training equipment to boost performance. I used color cues—blue for good, yellow for okay, and red for bad—to indicate energy status. Players can recover energy by collecting water bottles, which appear based on the suit’s color. The order from oldest to newest; Blue Energy State, Yellow Energy State, Red Energy State, and Water Bottle.
Trakhell Protoype
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Screenshot 3
Prototype Gameplay Footage
My design goal was to make the player feel like a track athlete in practice through game feel, drawing from my own experience in the sport. The key lesson I learned was pacing and conserving energy while maintaining proper form. I made energy management the core mechanic, where overexertion leads to an exhausting experience. The system encourages players to intuitively balance risk and reward—dashing burns more energy and collects water bottles faster, while going slower conserves energy but with fewer rewards and less distance. The order from oldest to newest; Prototype Gameplay Footage, Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2, and Screenshot 3.
Game Design Document
Excerpt 1/4
Excerpt 2/4
Excerpt 3/4
Excerpt 4/4
My professor recommended expanding the Trakhell prototype I developed the year before. A few months later, I took her advice, pitched the idea to my friends, and we decided to focus on this project instead of our previous game, as it better aligned with our abilities and resources. The order from oldest to newest; Excerpt 1/4, Excerpt 2/4, Excerpt 3/4, and Excerpt 4/4.
Player Character
Prototype Screenshot
Development of the prototype began a month after completing the game design document. One team member had to leave due to other responsibilities, leaving a team of two. The goal was to implement the energy system mechanic with animations, and the prototype was completed within two months.
Environment
Gameplay Items
Model Video Preview
Hurdle
Coin
The idea for the hurdle came after my partner pointed out that the energy system wasn't practical due to unclear animations. He suggested adding an obstacle, and I proposed the hurdle to align with the track theme. Later, he suggested adding a collectible, which led to the creation of the coin. The order from oldest to newest; Model Video Preview, Hurdle, and Coin.
Typography
Logo Concept Art
Concept Art 1
Concept Art 2
Concept Art 3
When developing the logo, I focused on blending retro design with modern typography. Concept Art 1 felt cliché and uninspired, while Concept Art 2 failed to capture the essence of Swerve Hurdle. Concept Art 3 was the best fit, reflecting the game's quirky nature with its sharp, angular design. The order from oldest to newest; Concept Art 1, Concept Art 2, and Concept Art 3.
Colored Logo Variations Drafts
Draft 1
Draft 2
Draft 3
Draft 4
Draft 5
I created several color variations for the logo to find the best combinations. As the drafts progressed, the colors shifted toward warm reds. After refining the typography and colors, I chose to start over, as the results felt lackluster and offered minimal improvement. The order from oldest to newest; Draft 1, Draft 2, Draft 3, Draft 4, and Draft 5
Final Draft Logo
Line Art
Colored
After revisiting the design, I made 'Swerve' more curved and 'Hurdle' more blocky to create contrast, with sharp points to unify the modern and classic aesthetic. I selected neon blue for the color to balance the typography and enhance the overall look. The order from oldest to newest; Line Art and Colored.
First Draft Marketing Renders
Render 1
Render 2
These renders were created for marketing to capture the energy of Swerve Hurdle. I experimented with the logo morphing into the environment for a dynamic effect on smartphones but removed it, as it was difficult to read on smaller screens. The order from oldest to newest; Render 1 and Render 2.
Finalized Marketing Renders
Render 1
Render 2
Render 3
Render 4
I designed these renders to evoke mystery around Swerve Hurdle, keeping in mind their use in smartphone ads on social media. The goal was to capture attention quickly, considering the short attention spans of viewers. The order from oldest to newest; Render 1, Render 2, Render 3, and Render 4.
Google Play & App Store Pages
Google Play
App Store
This is the Swerve Hurdle page on Google Play and App Store, highlighting comments and ratings. In setting it up, I focused on using engaging screenshots and renders to capture interest and promote the game. The order from oldest to newest; Google Play and App Store.
Gameplay Footage
This gameplay footage showcases Swerve Hurdle, my first professional release. I’m proud of this project, as it reflects my growth as a game designer and artist, helping me refine my style and pinpoint areas for improvement in future projects.
Logo Icon
Concept Art
Finalized Logo
For the logo, I prioritized making it recognizable and distinct. The hurdle clearly conveys the game's concept, while the neon green background adds a unique touch and creates mystery around the app. The order from oldest to newest; Concept Art and Finalized Logo.
Social Media Marketing Data
Youtube
TikTok
Instagram Post 1
Instagram Post 2
Instagram Post 3
Instagram Post 4
For six months, we posted daily content across YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. My digital marketing internship played a key role in shaping the marketing plan, targeting our audience with both pre- and post-marketing strategies. We dedicated two months to pre-marketing and four months to post-marketing. It was insightful to observe how each platform responded to our Swerve Hurdle content, with distinct metrics prioritized on each. The order from oldest to newest; Youtube, Reddit, Tiktok, Instagram Post 1, Instagram Post 2, Instagram Post 3, Instagram Post 4, Twitter, and Facebook.