The Lost Mustache
Brief
Developed in collaboration with Universitat Jaume I, this project serves as a heartwarming journey into the Mediterranean town of Forcall. The objective was to create an engaging, narrative-driven promotional tool that encourages cultural exploration through a mystery involving the theft of a local historical figure’s iconic mustache. As part of an international team, the goal was to seamlessly blend emotional storytelling with region-specific puzzles to provide a captivating and educational experience.
Role
Game Designer | Gameplay Programmer | 2D Artist
Tags
Narrative Design, 2D Animation, Environment Design
The Process
Phase 1: Cultural Research & Narrative Branching The design process began with extensive historical research on Forcall to translate authentic local lore into gameplay objectives. I focused on the dual-protagonist narrative: a modern-day journalist investigating in a point-and-click style, and "El Groc," a historical guerrilla figure featured in 2D action-focused flashbacks. This required architecting a time-travel mechanic that allows players to collect information across different eras to solve the central mystery.
Phase 2: Visual Language & Environment Design Drawing inspiration from "Deponia," we developed a stylized visual aesthetic characterized by warm color palettes and black pen-brush outlines. I contributed to the 2D asset pipeline, creating NPCs and environments that showcase local landmarks like the town hall and church. Using a perspective similar to "Stardew Valley" for backgrounds allowed for a broader field of vision, enhancing the player’s immersion in the Mediterranean landscape.
Phase 3: Mini-Game Logic & UI Implementation I developed core functionality for several integrated mini-games, ranging from Layton-inspired spatial puzzles to horizontal obstacle-avoidance challenges. Technical implementation in the Unity engine focused on ensuring smooth transitions between the primary exploration mode and these specialized gameplay loops. I also designed the UI/UX for the inventory and task management systems, ensuring objectives were clearly communicated without overpowering the art style.
Phase 4: Auditory Pacing & International Collaboration To elevate the atmosphere, the game utilizes situation-specific music that contrasts tranquil town exploration with energetic, action-oriented tracks during historical flashbacks. Throughout the development cycle, I utilized Spanish language skills to facilitate communication within the international team and with local stakeholders. This collaborative effort ensured the final product remained culturally authentic and aligned with the promotional goals of the town.
The Results
The project resulted in a comprehensive, ad-free cultural experience that successfully promotes the heritage of Forcall across PC and mobile platforms. By delivering a polished blend of action-adventure mechanics and emotional storytelling, the team created a functional tool for regional tourism. The final product proves my ability to work within international pipelines and translate complex cultural data into an engaging, user-validated interactive narrative.