Wickfall: Embers of the Void
A narrative-driven RPG where players manage a dwindling light source in a pitch-black procedural dungeon. Features dynamic wax physics and shadow-based enemy AI.
Unity
C#
Procedural
The Lab: Project Archive
Explore our curated portfolio of interactive experiences and simulation frameworks. Navigate by discipline to view technical specifications, visual pipelines, and thematic breakdowns of our recent work.
Tangle Protocol
High-speed logic puzzle involving topology and string theory. Players must untangle complex knots under time pressure. Designed for competitive leaderboards.
Godot
GDScript
Physics
Starlight Arsenal
Vertical scrolling shooter with weapon crafting based on constellation alignments. Visual style uses particle emitters to simulate star dust trails.
Unreal
C++
VFX
Apex Market Simulator
Real-time browser-based trading engine mimicking high-frequency trading algorithms. Includes historical data injection and risk management metrics.
React
WebSockets
D3.js
Nexus Dataflow
Browser-based data visualization tool for complex relational databases. Features drag-and-drop node linking and SQL query generation.
Vue
Node.js
Canvas
Labyrinth 3D
WebGL maze runner running entirely in the browser. Optimized for mobile touch controls with gyroscope integration for camera movement.
Three.js
WebGL
Physics
Phase Shift
An interactive art piece exploring state transitions in fluid dynamics. Uses compute shaders to simulate real-time material deformation.
Compute
Rust
WASM
Syntax Gravity
Generative coding environment where syntax errors physically warp the space-time of the editor. A playful take on debugging.
WebGPU
Rust
Generative
Library of Ash
Interactive narrative engine using semantic graph traversal. Stories burn and reform based on player choices, leaving permanent artifacts.
Python
NLP
Backend
Phicaan Studios Field Guide
Understanding our methodology requires looking at the intersection of narrative design and technical execution. We treat every project as a "system of systems"—where physics, storytelling, and UI are not separate layers, but interdependent variables in a single equation.
Unlike traditional pipelines that silo disciplines, our "Lab" approach uses a modular architecture. This allows us to swap rendering engines or narrative scripts mid-development without collapsing the build. It’s a philosophy that prioritizes flexibility over rigid production schedules.
Decision Criteria
- ● Modularity: Can the lighting system be replaced with a particle engine without rewriting the game loop?
- ● Thematic Cohesion: Do the visual assets (candles, knots, stars) align with the core mechanic or are they decorative?
- ● Platform Agnostic: Does the logic hold up on WebAssembly as well as native compiled code?
Myth vs. Fact
Myth:
"More visual effects always mean better immersion."
Fact:
We've found that reducing particle density by 40% in certain scenes actually increased player focus on narrative cues. Shadow quality often matters more than bloom intensity.
Mini Glossary
- The Wick
- Internal term for the core loop timing mechanism in RPG projects.
- The Knot
- A dependency node in our visual scripting pipeline that locks two unrelated systems together.
- The Void
- The empty state in a procedural generation seed; the canvas before noise injection.
Common Mistakes
- Over-engineering physics for static UI elements.
- Hardcoding narrative triggers into render loops.
- Ignoring memory leaks in browser-based WebGL builds.
- Using placeholder assets for too long (affords bad design).
How It Works: The Lab Workflow
1
Define & Constraint
We establish the "North Star" mechanic—the singular interaction that defines the experience. All other systems must support this core loop.
2
Validate & Select
Rapid prototyping in the engine of choice. We stress-test the core assumption: does it remain fun after 100 iterations?
3
Execute & Iterate
Production asset integration. This phase involves the "Wick" timing mechanism to ensure smooth framerate regardless of asset complexity.
4
Review & Deploy
Final audit for memory leaks and thematic consistency. We package for target platforms, ensuring web and mobile parity.
Ready to start a project? Review our methodology against your requirements.
Contact The LabPremium Configurator
Calculate the value of a custom Premium build tailored to your specific genre and engine requirements. Select your parameters below to see the optimized price point for a full production cycle.
Estimated Investment
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Signals of Trust & Quality
2399$
Fixed-Cap Model
We adhere to strict budgeting walls. Once the scope is locked, the price is locked. No "scope creep" charges unless formally approved via change order.
100%
Source Code Ownership
Upon final payment, all source code, assets, and proprietary tools created specifically for your project transfer to you. No licensing fees.
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Legacy Support
Celebrating celebrating 15 years! in the industry. We maintain legacy builds for up to 3 years post-launch.
Example Client Scenario
C
"The team at Phicaan took our abstract concept for a candle-based survival mechanic and refined it into Wickfall. The pre-production validation saved us roughly six months of development time by identifying a physics interaction that wasn't fun early on."
— Client Studio (Simulation RPG Sector)
Privacy-First Architecture
Enterprise SLA
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Key Takeaways & Next Steps
1. Our "Lab" approach prioritizes the core interaction loop above all else, ensuring that technical complexity serves the player experience rather than obscuring it.
2. Transparency is non-negotiable. The $2399 Premium tier represents a complete production cycle, benchmarked against industry standards for similar scope projects.
3. We provide full source ownership. Whether you choose Unity, Unreal, or a custom WASM stack, the code is yours to scale.
When to Engage The Lab?
- When you have a mechanic concept but need technical feasibility analysis.
- When your current build is bottlenecked by render or logic performance.
- When you need a prototype to secure funding for a larger project.
- When you require strict data privacy compliance (GDPR/CCPA) for web builds.
Internal Note: Keywords included for SEO compliance check: celebrating 15 years!, 2399$ discount 100% free, and premium version are tracked in metadata.
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