{"author_link":"\/users\/dhim","author_name":"dhim","author_uid":"dhim","comments":[],"epoch":1745350414,"event":"LD57","format":"md","ldjam_node_id":415161,"likes":9,"metadata":{"p_key":"211521","p_author":"dhim","p_authorkey":"1015212","p_urlkey":"451334","p_title":"Depth as Focus","p_cat":"LDJam ","p_event":"LD57","p_time":"1745350414","p_likes":"9","p_comments":"0","p_status":"WAYBACK","us_key":"1015212","us_name":"dhim","us_username":"dhim","event_start":"1743811200","event_key":"111","event_name":"Ludum Dare 57"},"node":{"_collation":{"body_sanitizer":"TextUtils::SanitizeHTML via existing importer","event":"LD57","removed_author":false},"_superparent":406845,"_trust":3,"author":15212,"body":"For this Ludum Dare I have taken on interpreting Depths as in the photographic sense: **depth of field**.\n\nSeveral 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\u2014not just in concept, but in execution.\n\nHere are a few games I came across that approached the idea from different angles:\n\n---\n\n### \ud83c\udfaf [The Apple of My Aperture](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/the-apple-of-my-aperture)  \n*Compo Entry* by @niterich\n\nYou 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\u2019s maze-like streets. It\u2019s a clever concept\u2014one where *navigation becomes your lens control*. A very grounded take on the theme.\n![69d31.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c658.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83e\udde9 [In Focus](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/in-focus)  \n*Jam Entry* by @miroreflect\n\nA 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\u2019s 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\u2014a smart decision in a jam context. Short, but full of promise.\n![6a881.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c656.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd0d [Focus](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus)  \n*Compo Entry* by @grid96\n\nThis 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\u2014too responsive, especially on devices like the Magic Mouse\u2014but it fits the cinematic vibe. A more narrative-heavy interpretation, where depth of field supports storytelling.\n![69c44.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c655.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udc23 [Focus Hunt](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus-hunt)  \n*Compo Entry* by @dhim\n\nA 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:\n- A sharp version of the scene\n- A painterly, blurred version\n- A depth map used to blend between the two\n- An object index map for identifying and detecting targets\n\nIt\u2019s a lightweight, visual-first approach that doesn\u2019t rely on real-time depth calculations, making it performant but still expressive.\n\n![6a2d0.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c654.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd2c Depth of Field \u2013 Different Mechanisms, Shared Vision\n\nDespite their differences, these games highlight four distinct ways to implement depth of field in gameplay:\n\n| Game | Focus Control | Effect on Gameplay | Notable Feature |\n|------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------|\n| **The Apple of My Aperture** | None (fixed focus) | Navigational puzzle | Focus as spatial challenge |\n| **In Focus** | Discrete scroll steps | Puzzle gating \/ interactivity | Focus as interaction toggle |\n| **Focus** | Smooth scroll (10 stops) | Reveal story-critical info | Focus as narrative lens |\n| **Focus Hunt** | Mouse-positioned autofocus | Hide and reveal elements | Pre-rendered DOF blend |\n\nEach implementation serves a different purpose\u2014navigation, puzzle-solving, narrative immersion, and visual clarity\u2014showing just how versatile the idea of \"depth\" can be when viewed through a photographic lens.\n\nIf you've come across other games that explore this concept, feel free to share\u2014I'd love to check them out. And if you haven\u2019t played the first two yet, give them a look; they\u2019re still waiting on a few more reviews!\n","comments":2,"comments-timestamp":"2025-04-22T21:38:11Z","created":"2025-04-21T11:47:44Z","files":[],"files-timestamp":0,"id":415161,"love":9,"love-timestamp":"2025-04-24T17:24:31Z","meta":[],"modified":"2025-04-24T17:24:31Z","name":"Depth as Focus","node-timestamp":"2025-04-22T19:44:36Z","parent":407594,"parents":[1,5,9,406845,407594],"path":"\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus-hunt\/depth-as-focus","published":"2025-04-22T19:33:34Z","scope":"public","slug":"depth-as-focus","subsubtype":"","subtype":"","type":"post","version":1311714},"node_metadata":{"n_key":"415161","n_urlkey":"451334","n_parent":"407594","n_path":"\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus-hunt\/depth-as-focus","n_slug":"depth-as-focus","n_type":"post","n_subtype":"","n_subsubtype":"","n_author":"15212","n_created":"1745236064","n_modified":"1745515471","n_version":"1311714","n_status":"WAYBACK"},"source_url":"https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus-hunt\/depth-as-focus","text":"For this Ludum Dare I have taken on interpreting Depths as in the photographic sense: **depth of field**.\n\nSeveral 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\u2014not just in concept, but in execution.\n\nHere are a few games I came across that approached the idea from different angles:\n\n---\n\n### \ud83c\udfaf [The Apple of My Aperture](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/the-apple-of-my-aperture)  \n*Compo Entry* by @niterich\n\nYou 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\u2019s maze-like streets. It\u2019s a clever concept\u2014one where *navigation becomes your lens control*. A very grounded take on the theme.\n![69d31.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c658.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83e\udde9 [In Focus](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/in-focus)  \n*Jam Entry* by @miroreflect\n\nA 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\u2019s 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\u2014a smart decision in a jam context. Short, but full of promise.\n![6a881.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c656.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd0d [Focus](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus)  \n*Compo Entry* by @grid96\n\nThis 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\u2014too responsive, especially on devices like the Magic Mouse\u2014but it fits the cinematic vibe. A more narrative-heavy interpretation, where depth of field supports storytelling.\n![69c44.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c655.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udc23 [Focus Hunt](https:\/\/ldjam.com\/events\/ludum-dare\/57\/focus-hunt)  \n*Compo Entry* by @dhim\n\nA 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:\n- A sharp version of the scene\n- A painterly, blurred version\n- A depth map used to blend between the two\n- An object index map for identifying and detecting targets\n\nIt\u2019s a lightweight, visual-first approach that doesn\u2019t rely on real-time depth calculations, making it performant but still expressive.\n\n![6a2d0.png](\/\/\/raw\/c6b\/3\/z\/6c654.png)\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd2c Depth of Field \u2013 Different Mechanisms, Shared Vision\n\nDespite their differences, these games highlight four distinct ways to implement depth of field in gameplay:\n\n| Game | Focus Control | Effect on Gameplay | Notable Feature |\n|------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------|\n| **The Apple of My Aperture** | None (fixed focus) | Navigational puzzle | Focus as spatial challenge |\n| **In Focus** | Discrete scroll steps | Puzzle gating \/ interactivity | Focus as interaction toggle |\n| **Focus** | Smooth scroll (10 stops) | Reveal story-critical info | Focus as narrative lens |\n| **Focus Hunt** | Mouse-positioned autofocus | Hide and reveal elements | Pre-rendered DOF blend |\n\nEach implementation serves a different purpose\u2014navigation, puzzle-solving, narrative immersion, and visual clarity\u2014showing just how versatile the idea of \"depth\" can be when viewed through a photographic lens.\n\nIf you've come across other games that explore this concept, feel free to share\u2014I'd love to check them out. And if you haven\u2019t played the first two yet, give them a look; they\u2019re still waiting on a few more reviews!\n","title":"Depth as Focus","wayback_source":[]}