Magic Brush

## Inspiration

*   Inspired by the Chinese myth of the "Magic Brush" (神笔马良) and the beauty of traditional *Shan Shui* (山水) ink wash painting. We wanted to explore how these traditional art forms and stories could be brought to life through the immersive power of Mixed Reality (MR) and the innovative input capabilities of the MX Ink Pen. We also drew inspiration from games like *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* for their creative object manipulation, *Moss* for VR environmental interaction and *Demeter* for MR puzzle design.

## What it does

*   *Magic Brush* is a Mixed Reality (MR) puzzle-adventure game where players wield a real-world MX Ink Pen like a magic brush to alter their physical environment, which is transformed into a living Chinese ink wash painting. Players draw solutions to puzzles, create pathways, and even battle corrupted spirits, all within their own living space. The game blends the artistry of *Shan Shui* with cutting-edge MR, creating a truly unique and immersive experience.

## How we built it

*   We built *Magic Brush* using Unity and Meta's MR development tools. The core mechanics are powered by the MX Ink Pen, utilizing its pressure sensitivity, buttons, and spatial tracking for intuitive 3D interaction. We developed a system for scanning and integrating the player's real-world environment into the game, turning walls, floors, and furniture into interactive elements of the virtual ink wash world. The backend is based on Meta's MR capabilities. The frontend prototype is developed using Unity.

## Challenges we ran into

*   Accurately and reliably recognizing real-world objects and surfaces for seamless MR integration was a significant challenge. Optimizing the game's performance to run smoothly on the target hardware (Quest 3) while maintaining visual fidelity was also difficult. Recreating the nuances of ink wash painting in a real-time 3D environment, and making the MX Ink Pen's input feel natural and responsive in various interactions presented unique challenges in development and coding.

## Accomplishments that we're proud of

*   Successfully prototyping the core gameplay loop of drawing to solve puzzles in a Mixed Reality environment. Creating a compelling visual style that captures the essence of *Shan Shui* while incorporating vibrant color accents for interactive elements. Developing an intuitive control scheme that leverages the unique capabilities of the MX Ink Pen. Generating a working prototype that showcases our game's innovative potential.

## What we learned

*   We gained valuable experience working with Meta's MR development tools and the MX Ink Pen's SDK. We learned a great deal about the challenges and opportunities of designing for Mixed Reality, particularly in the context of environmental understanding and interaction. We also deepened our understanding of how to translate traditional art styles into interactive 3D experiences. The process also taught us a lot about designing puzzles that feel intuitive and rewarding within an MR context.

## What's next for Magic Brush

*   Refine the core gameplay loop, adding more complex mechanics and interactions with the MX Ink Pen.
*   Develop a polished vertical slice to showcase the game's full potential.
*   Explore advanced MR features like hand tracking and spatial mapping for even more immersive interactions.
*   Expand the team with experienced artists, developers, and sound designers.
*   Seek funding and partnerships to bring *Magic Brush* to a wider audience.
*   Begin community engagement to build an audience for the game's launch.