Integrating 3D into a 2D World
While the series remains rooted in hand-drawn 2D art, The Mermaid Mask introduces 3D elements in a way that enhances the gameplay without breaking the established style. This innovation was born from a desire to make the game’s "clues" more interactive.
"In Tangle Tower, they’re just one drawn picture, and that’s it," Vian says. "But wouldn’t it be more fun if you could look behind it, or if it’s a book, wouldn’t you want to open it?"
To achieve this, the team collaborated with 3D artist Kindra Dantone, who possessed a unique ability to mimic Catherine Unger’s painting style. The process involves Unger painting a final concept, which Dantone then models and textures to match. To bridge the gap between the 3D models and the 2D world, Tom Vian programmed a custom "tech art" solution that generates a dynamic, slightly "wobbly" outline around the models, simulating the look of a hand-drawn brushstroke.
This hybrid approach allows players to manipulate objects in a 3D space—examining the back of a mask or opening a chest—while maintaining the painterly charm that defines the series. It moves the experience away from the static nature of a visual novel and closer to a tactile, interactive toy.
Advice for the Next Generation
Reflecting on his journey from a teenage animator to a creative director, Vian offers pragmatic advice for aspiring game artists. He emphasizes the value of finishing small, manageable projects rather than becoming paralyzed by the ambition of a "magnum opus."
"The best thing you can do to gain experience is to actually finish a project, because finishing something—getting it ready for release—is half the battle," he says. "If you pick a small project, you get to that phase quicker and you actually experience it."
Vian warns against the common trap of attempting an open-world RPG or a massive epic too early in one’s career. By utilizing modern platforms like itch.io and Unity, today’s developers can replicate the rapid feedback loop of the Flash era, building the necessary skills to eventually tackle larger, more complex stories.
As Detective Grimoire embarks on his latest investigation in The Mermaid Mask, the game stands as a testament to the power of artistic evolution. By embracing their roots while constantly seeking new influences and technical solutions, SFB Games has proven that 2D adventure games are not just a relic of the past, but a vibrant and expanding frontier in modern game design.
The Mermaid Mask is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
