Robot Friends

Robot Friends Update
Family Friendly Place for all
Compete to see who can get collect them all!

Inspiration: Cloud 9 was inspired by the limitless potential of AI and the joy of exploration Originally created in 2023, (and revised for this competition). I wanted to create a space that felt both futuristic and whimsical — a place where players could learn, play, and immerse themselves in a calming sky world. I also wanted to challenge myself to bring one of my VR worlds into a mobile-friendly format while keeping the charm and interactivity.

What it does: In Cloud 9, players explore a floating sky world with their tag-a-long robot friend. The goal is to collect energy charges, find hidden AI explorers, and engage with interactive “soundscape skydomes.” Along the way, players discover fun facts about AI — turning gameplay into an edutainment experience. As players collect points, they unlock perks like increased speed and low gravity, adding a sense of progression and reward to the exploration.

How we built it: Originally designed in Horizon Worlds for VR, the game was reimagined and optimized for mobile. This meant reworking movement mechanics, performance optimization, and simplifying certain elements to ensure smooth, accessible gameplay on smaller screens. I used scripting to build the progression system, allowing for perks to be unlocked based on players points. Spatial audio and skybox design were carefully curated to create immersive sky domes that still perform well on mobile.

Challenges we ran into: One of the biggest challenges was translating a world built for immersive VR into a mobile-first experience. Certain design elements, like follow bots, needed to be rethought for comfort and accessibility. We also had to ensure the robot companion and progression mechanics felt meaningful without overwhelming new mobile users.

Accomplishments that we're proud of: I’m proud of creating a mobile-friendly version of a complex VR world that still retains the soul of the original: charming, interactive, and educational. Integrating perks like low gravity and speed boosts made progression fun and motivating. The educational layer: fun AI facts - adds a unique value that blends storytelling with learning. It also acts as a diary for me - showing how far I've come with learning and growing with the different AI software I use in my creations.

What we learned: This project taught me a lot about performance optimization, adaptive design for different platforms, and the importance of meaningful progression in mobile games. It also reinforced how small details like sound design can make a big impact on player immersion and enjoyment.

What's next for Robot Friends: Next, I’d love to expand the world with additional skydomes that explore different AI topics, add new robot companions with unique personalities, and introduce more ways for players to collaborate and share progress. I’m also exploring how Cloud 9 can become a multi-platform edutainment series - continuing the mission of making learning delightful through play.