For this Ludum Dare I have taken on interpreting Depths as in the photographic sense: depth of field.

Several entries explored this idea, each in their own unique way. From fixed focus to discrete levels of adjustment, continuous scroll, and even automatic focal targeting, the variety is impressive—not just in concept, but in execution.

Here are a few games I came across that approached the idea from different angles:

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🎯 The Apple of My Aperture

Compo Entry by @niterich

You play as a photographer on a mission to snap a picture of an apple from across a city. Armed with a telescopic lens and a very narrow depth of field, the challenge lies in physically positioning yourself in the exact spot where the focus lands just right. With no ability to adjust focus manually, you're at the mercy of London’s maze-like streets. It’s a clever concept—one where navigation becomes your lens control. A very grounded take on the theme.

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🧩 In Focus

Jam Entry by @miroreflect

A compact puzzle game where you adjust focus in discrete steps using the mouse wheel. Objects in focus can be interacted with or moved, while others effectively disappear from the game space. It’s a simple mechanic with a lot of depth (pun not intended), creating puzzles that challenge spatial awareness and sequencing. While my mouse wheel was a bit too sensitive, making one puzzle tricky, the game design made sure all levels could still be completed—a smart decision in a jam context. Short, but full of promise.

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🔍 Focus

Compo Entry by @grid96

This is a narrative-driven point-and-click game where you play as a duo on an assassination mission. You use a camera lens with 10 smooth focal stops, controlled via the scroll wheel, to uncover clues and spot your target hidden among city rooftops. The smoothness of the scroll can be a double-edged sword—too responsive, especially on devices like the Magic Mouse—but it fits the cinematic vibe. A more narrative-heavy interpretation, where depth of field supports storytelling.

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🐣 Focus Hunt

Compo Entry by @dhim

A look-and-find game set in an Easter-themed scene filled with hidden objects. You control the focus point by moving the mouse across the scene. The game uses a custom implementation with four pre-rendered layers: - A sharp version of the scene - A painterly, blurred version - A depth map used to blend between the two - An object index map for identifying and detecting targets

It’s a lightweight, visual-first approach that doesn’t rely on real-time depth calculations, making it performant but still expressive.

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🔬 Depth of Field – Different Mechanisms, Shared Vision

Despite their differences, these games highlight four distinct ways to implement depth of field in gameplay:

| Game | Focus Control | Effect on Gameplay | Notable Feature | |------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------| | The Apple of My Aperture | None (fixed focus) | Navigational puzzle | Focus as spatial challenge | | In Focus | Discrete scroll steps | Puzzle gating / interactivity | Focus as interaction toggle | | Focus | Smooth scroll (10 stops) | Reveal story-critical info | Focus as narrative lens | | Focus Hunt | Mouse-positioned autofocus | Hide and reveal elements | Pre-rendered DOF blend |

Each implementation serves a different purpose—navigation, puzzle-solving, narrative immersion, and visual clarity—showing just how versatile the idea of "depth" can be when viewed through a photographic lens.

If you've come across other games that explore this concept, feel free to share—I'd love to check them out. And if you haven’t played the first two yet, give them a look; they’re still waiting on a few more reviews!