Product Overview

Skybinder is a minimalist, VR puzzle game where players embody a "Maker," connecting dots in 3D space to bind shapes into celestial creatures. Originally conceived as a technical experiment during my work on Qubit Arcade at MIT, the project evolved into a standalone commercial title that prioritizes a spatial-first approach to its game mechanic. Launched as a paid app on the Oculus Quest and Steam, Skybinder has become a benchmark for intuitive immersive design.

Creation

As the Lead Engineer and Co-Producer, I spearheaded the entire creation of the game going from prototype to a high-polish consumer product:

• The "Satisfying Line" Engine: I engineered the core interaction mechanic, a tactile, node-based system originally developed for quantum circuit design and redesigned for enjoyment and inspiring a sense of “flow.” This involved creating a highly responsive 3D line-drawing system with frame-perfect feedback using a custom predictive gesture engine.

• Spatial Grammar & Puzzle Logic: I architected the underlying logic that detects filled-in triangles and validates the 3D geometry of each completed creature. I also engineered and implemented all product features including IAP, saving and other platform features.

• Technical Production: I managed the end-to-end production cycle, from the initial prototype to the final launch. This included technical optimization for the Oculus Quest to ensure a seamless, high-performance experience, as well as directing the integration of the original score and visual language.

Outcomes & Impact

• Commercial Success: Successfully launched as a premium paid application, reaching over 5,000 active users at its peak and maintaining a near-perfect 4.9-star rating on the Meta Quest Store.

• Critical Acclaim: The project received widespread recognition from the industry’s leading XR publications such as UploadVR, 6DoF, VRScout and VRFocus.