Paula Panijan | Game Design

Game Design

Project Type	University / individual project
Software Used	Unity, PaintToolSai

Gameplay:

Spellbound is a 2D adventure game set in a world inspired by Balkan mythology. Players take on the role of a young witch in training, guided by her wise old mentor. As she explores mystical forests and hidden ruins, she collects potion ingredients, uncovers secrets and creatures, and learns new spells. The game focuses on storytelling, atmosphere, and a sense of discovery in a magical, folkloric setting.
GAME DEVELOPMENT:

Spellbound was built in Unity using fully rigged and animated 2D sprites. I created all the visual elements—including characters, environments, effects, animations, and UI—along with all the gameplay programming in C#. From movement and interaction systems to visual feedback and interface design, the entire game was developed independently, with the exception of audio and music.
Production time:

This game was developed over the course of four months as the final project for one of my six modules. Balancing this project alongside five other classes required strong time management and consistent progress tracking. Despite the tight schedule, I was able to complete the game within the deadline, using weekly milestones to stay on track and ensure steady development across all aspects of the project.

Project Type	University / Team Project
Software Used	Unity, Meta SDK

Gameplay:

Creature Feature is a mixed reality experience designed for children, where players interact with a friendly little creature in a playful, imaginative space. Using hand tracking, players can feed it colorful berries, dress it up, and engage with it through simple, intuitive gestures. The game encourages curiosity, empathy, and creativity through hands-on interaction and charming visuals.
My contributions:

My contributions included modeling the creature, berries, and berry stand, as well as setting up the creature’s rig, textures, animation controller, and the scripts that drive its behaviour. I implemented the hand gesture system, UI, and audio integration to ensure a responsive and engaging user experience. The goal was to make interactions feel natural and delightful for younger players.
Awards:

The project won First Prize for Aesthetic production at the “Shaping the Future of Immersive Technologies in Education” Student competition in Athlone Ireland.