Serenity Islands

The Making of Serenity Islands: A 45-Hour Challenge

Game development takes a lot of effort, and for Serenity Islands, I put in 42 hours of hard work, creativity, and passion. Made for IcoJam 2023, this game was designed to be a peaceful experience for players. But behind the scenes, the process was anything but calm. Here’s how I, WaveRise Studios, made it happen in just three days. (Yeah i had to sleep a bit because 72h straight is good so i only worked 45 hours)

The Challenge of a Game Jam

Game jams are exciting but tough. With little time and a set theme—geometric shapes and the countdown “3-2-1″—I had to move fast. I wanted Serenity Islands to be more than just a game; I wanted it to be a relaxing adventure. My goal was to create a world where players could escape and feel at peace.

Turning an Idea Into a Game

Once I had the idea, the real work began. I spent hours designing the islands, making sure each one looked and felt right. I used high-quality assets from POLY and Unreal Engine Marketplace to bring the world to life. Every detail mattered to create the right atmosphere.

Programming was another big task. I worked hard to make sure the game ran smoothly, with seamless transitions and interactive portals. Long nights were common. Lots of coffee kept me going. I polished every detail, from player movement to the voiceover that I made with eleven labs, guiding the experience.

The Swimming System: A Key Feature

One of the most important parts of Serenity Islands is the swimming system. I wanted players to feel the freedom of moving through water just as easily as they explore on land. This system allows smooth transitions between walking and swimming, creating a seamless experience. Players can dive into the water and navigate around islands effortlessly, adding to the game’s sense of relaxation and exploration. Developing this feature took a lot of testing to make sure the controls felt natural and enjoyable.

The Importance of Sound

A relaxing game needs the right music. I carefully chose background sounds to match the theme and make the experience even more immersive. The voiceover and ambient sounds helped create the calming feel I was aiming for.

Facing Challenges

Like any game jam, there were problems to solve. Debugging, adjusting mechanics, and ensuring everything worked in time was stressful. Level 3, in particular, was a challenge, forcing me to make last-minute changes. But my determination kept me going.

The Final Product

After 45 hours of hard work, Serenity Islands was complete. I was proud of what I had built in such a short time and excited to see players’ reactions. The feedback was helpful, with players enjoying the relaxing nature, visuals, and theme. The rankings in IcoJam 2023 showed areas to improve, but I was happy that the game connected with players.

What’s Next?

Looking back, Serenity Islands wasn’t just a game—it was a test of my creativity and endurance. Every late night, every small detail, and every moment of doubt was worth it.

This is just the beginning. The experience from this jam has motivated me for future projects. For now, I invite you to explore Serenity Islands and enjoy the peaceful journey.

Ratings

In the IcoJam 2023 results, “Serenity Islands” received the following rankings

Art: Ranked 89th/3000 with a score of 3.188
Music: Ranked 115th/3000 with a score of 2.750
Overall: Ranked 117th/3000 with a score of 2.950
Theme: Ranked 121st/3000 with a score of 2.813
Creativity: Ranked 130th/3000 with a score of 3.063
Gameplay: Ranked 135th/3000 with a score of 2.938