Between Two Horizons
An autobiographical browser-based game built in p5.js, tracing my journey from Muscat to New York.
Discipline
Creative Coding
Duration
3 weeks
DESIGN INTENT
Mapping identity through interactive spatial storytelling.
This project translates my personal journey from Muscat to New York into an interactive digital landscape. The globe becomes both map and memory- layered with landmarks that shaped me: my high school, the Royal Opera House Muscat, Bowsher Heights, Muscat International Airport, and the New York skyline alongside my University- The New School, Parsons. The game explores how movement across geography mirrors personal transition, using play as a medium to navigate belonging, departure, and arrival.
DEVELOPMENT
From conceptual grey-boxing to a refined visual language.
The initial phase focused on structuring gameplay mechanics through grey boxing- defining character movement, asset placement, and interaction logic within p5.js. Midway through development, I reconsidered the original visual direction and pivoted to a new aesthetic approach close to submission. Although the shift required reworking key visual elements, the revised style felt more aligned with the narrative and resulted in a more cohesive and immersive experience.
RESOLUTION
A playable narrative built from personal symbols and coded interactions.
Players guide a character across the globe, collecting five symbolic objects distributed between Muscat and New York: a car, coffee cup, airplane, apple, and laptop. Each triggers a distinct sound cue, reinforcing the emotional weight behind seemingly everyday objects. All graphic elements were curated and composed by me, and integrated into a fully functional game environment using p5.js. The final outcome merges storytelling, spatial representation, and interactive coding into a personal yet universally relatable digital experience.
