ORBIT
ORBIT

Inspiration

ORBIT was inspired by the idea of turning gravity into a puzzle-solving mechanic. We wanted to create an experience where players could challenge their perception of space, explore floating worlds, and discover creative ways to overcome obstacles. Inspired by classic 3D puzzle-platformers, ORBIT combines simple controls with increasingly challenging levels to create an engaging and rewarding adventure.

What it does

ORBIT is a browser-based 3D puzzle game where players roll across floating islands, navigate walls and ceilings, jump between platforms, collect keys, avoid dangerous obstacles, and reach portals to complete levels.

The game features 24 levels across four atmospheric worlds, including drifting clouds, floating gardens, animated oceans, and volcanic environments. Players face hazards such as spikes, burning tiles, gaps, and countdown challenges. They can also earn coins, unlock cosmetic skins, and save their progress directly in the browser.

With keyboard and touch controls, ORBIT offers an accessible gaming experience without requiring downloads, accounts, or paid purchases.

How we built it

ORBIT was built using Three.js for real-time 3D graphics and Vite for the development and build workflow. The game's environments, materials, and scenery are generated locally, creating distinct visual experiences across its levels.

We implemented third-person camera controls, gravity-defying movement, jumping mechanics, collectible keys, portals, environmental hazards, a lives system, and level progression. Browser-based storage allows players to retain their progress, while performance optimizations help keep gameplay smooth.

The project also includes automated tests for level solutions, hazards, saved progress, and browser gameplay, alongside a production build that can be deployed as a static website.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was making gravity-defying movement feel intuitive while allowing players to navigate walls, ceilings, floating platforms, and gaps. Camera behavior and player orientation needed to remain understandable as the environment changed.

Designing progressively challenging levels was another important task. Hazards, time limits, collectibles, and lives needed to work together without making the experience feel unfair.

We also had to consider browser performance, loading times, responsive controls, and reliable progress saving while maintaining the visual quality of the 3D environments.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud to have developed a complete browser-based 3D puzzle game featuring 24 levels, four distinctive worlds, multiple hazards, collectible rewards, and unlockable cosmetic skins.

We are particularly proud of the gravity-defying gameplay, the combination of exploration and precision-based challenges, and the fact that players can jump straight into the experience without installing software or creating an account.

Building automated tests and incorporating performance-conscious rendering techniques also helped us create a more reliable and accessible gaming experience.

What we learned

Developing ORBIT reinforced the importance of balancing creative gameplay with technical reliability. We learned how player movement, camera positioning, level geometry, and visual feedback work together to shape the overall experience.

We also gained experience with browser-based 3D development, procedural scenery, performance optimization, persistent game progress, and automated testing. Most importantly, we learned that a successful puzzle game needs more than attractive graphics: it needs clear objectives, fair challenges, satisfying feedback, and a rewarding sense of progression.

What's next for ORBIT

Our next goal is to expand ORBIT with additional worlds, more inventive gravity-based puzzles, new environmental mechanics, and greater variety in level design.

We would also like to introduce additional player customization options, more accessibility settings, improved mobile controls, and further performance optimizations for a wider range of devices.

In the longer term, we envision ORBIT evolving into a richer 3D puzzle-adventure experience with hidden challenges, secret collectibles, and increasingly creative ways to manipulate gravity and explore impossible worlds.