24/25 Creative VR Project Portfolio

STARBORN LEGACY

is a VR adventure game that mixes ancient Chinese Sanxingdui culture with myths and sci-fi. Players become Xiao Yu, a brave 20-year-old student and descendant of the Sanxingdui people. By collecting ancient Sanxingdui masks, players gain special powers, travel through time, explore ruins, and discover secrets hidden for thousands of years.

A fairy tale about the Sanxingdui

Week 1&2

Background Research

Sanxingdui, located in Guanghan, Sichuan Province, China, is an archaeological site that dates back to the Bronze Age (around 12th–11th century BCE). It was first discovered in 1929 and gained global attention in the 1980s with the excavation of two sacrificial pits. These pits revealed a treasure trove of unique artifacts, including jade, gold masks, bronze statues, and ivory.

Key Points of Sanxingdui:

Cultural Significance
Sanxingdui is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. It represents a highly developed civilization that thrived independently of the Central Plains’ early Chinese cultures, such as the Shang Dynasty.
Distinctive Artifacts
The site is famous for its bronze masks with exaggerated facial features, gold-covered items, intricate jade carvings, and life-sized bronze figures. These artifacts reflect advanced craftsmanship and a rich spiritual culture.
Religion and Rituals
The discovery of sacrificial pits suggests that Sanxingdui was deeply religious, with rituals likely focused on ancestor worship and nature. The artifacts point to connections with mythical beings, gods, and celestial phenomena.
Mystery of Abandonment
The sudden abandonment of the Sanxingdui site remains a mystery. Some theories suggest natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, while others speculate on migration or societal changes.
Connection to Shu Culture
Sanxingdui is believed to be part of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which is frequently mentioned in Chinese historical texts. The site’s findings provide evidence of the Shu culture’s sophistication and its role in Chinese history.

Week 3&4

Write a Script

A place in your hometown – Sanxingdui Civilization

MAIN STORY

In the ancient Sanxingdui civilization, the gods of Sanxingdui controlled a powerful energy source known as the “Star Core.” This core was a mysterious energy with immense power capable of altering time and space, even turning human will into material form. Instead of improving life, the royal family used this power to enslave the human race. However, their over-reliance on the Star Core caused it to become unstable, almost leading to a global catastrophe.

To avoid this disaster, the gods used the “Star Core Key” to seal away the core, causing the entire city to vanish into a rift between time and space. The remaining royals used the last of the core’s energy to escape to other planets. After the sealing was complete, the Star Core Key disintegrated into stardust before the eyes of the remaining humans.

The artwork is created using MidJourney

The video is generated using Hailuo AI

Week 5

AI-generated artwork followed by AI-generated video

Experience the fusion of imagination and expertise with Études – the catalyst for architectural transformations that enrich the world around us.

REFERENCE

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV19H4y1u7TA/?vd_source=7a3c7133fe16adbdd8971a19e5222a70

https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ep748347?spm_id_from=333.788.recommend_more_video.-1

Week 6 & 7

Scene modeling and scene setup

Reference

Scene setup

Week 8

Refine the concept and storyline

STORYBOARD

Story Concept:

The main storyline: Xiao Yu exploring Sanxingdui civilization and stopping the Star Core from being restarted.

Themes: such as cultural heritage, self-discovery, and the balance of power.

Cultural Concept

Showing the beauty and mystery of the Sanxingdui civilization.

Helping players learn about its history through an engaging, immersive experience.

Week 9-11

Main interactive features

Scene 1: Amazing Discoveries in the Sanxingdui Museum

PLOT 1

You received a key called the Star Core from your grandfather. With the Star Core, you can control gravity to attract Sanxingdui fragments and assemble them into a mask.

mystery box

Scene 2: Exploring the SANXINGDUI Ancient Ruins

PLOT 2

Each side has different sounds and totems. You must hit the drum the correct number of times based on the rhythm of the sounds. For example, hit 2 times for a dragon’s roar and 4 times for a mythical beast’s call to successfully open the gate to the ruins.