Before You Play:

CSI Simulator - fruit mart mystery is a 3D isometric Investigative Mystery Game where players solve a murder mystery by investigating clues and piecing together evidence.

How to Play:

You will start at the murder scene located in the Fruit Mart. Proceed with caution, carefully examine the area for potential clues, and interact with them as necessary.  Some clues are visual, so observe closely. Your objective is to identify the correct suspect and ensure justice is served.

• Movement: Use Arrow Keys or W,A,S,D to move your character in Isometric axis.
• Clues: Press E on the highlighted object to investigate it and follow the instructions on the screen.

Game Description:

Game is set in a Fruit Mart, when Agustus Murphy, the beloved owner of a successful fruit mart chain, is found dead in one of his stores early in the morning. The crime shocks the community of Redwood Pines, where Agustus was known for his kindness and charitable contributions. The investigation zeroes in on three primary suspects:

1. Jean Colleti - The store manager, known for his loyalty but with access to operations.
2. Harmanpreet Kaur - A regular customer who was present near the scene around the time of the incident.
3. Hector Ramirez - A young employee with a history of emotional outbursts.

As the CSI team investigates the crime scene, collecting evidence and uncovering clues, the shocking truth emerges. Hector Ramirez confesses to the murder during interrogation. Furious after discovering drugs hidden in one of the fruit shipments, Hector confronted Agustus, whom he believed was responsible for bringing drugs into the community—a community already plagued by addiction and where Hector's younger brother tragically died of an overdose.

Hector lured Agustus to the store at night under the pretense of an urgent issue. A heated confrontation broke out in the storeroom. Agustus attempted to escape when the situation escalated, but Hector stabbed him in the back during the struggle. Overcome with adrenaline and panic after the act, Hector fled, leaving behind incriminating evidence.

However, the case remains unresolved. The investigation takes a deeper turn when further evidence points to Jean Colleti. It is discovered that Jean, leveraging his position as manager, was involved in drug trafficking. Using his cousin’s transportation agency, Jean smuggled small amounts of drugs alongside fruit shipments and sold them locally, contributing to the area's drug epidemic.

Agustus Murphy, it turns out, was entirely innocent—unaware that his trusted manager was betraying him. The tragedy deepens as the truth comes to light: the kind-hearted man who worked to uplift his community died in vain due to Hector’s misplaced judgment and rushed conclusions.

In the end, Hector faces justice for his actions, but the arrest of Jean Colleti ensures the dismantling of the drug operation and offers a chance for the community to heal.

Primary Mechanics

1. Crime Scene Investigation: Players examine crime scenes from a close isometric view, searching for evidence. They interact with various objects to uncover clues, using a detailed and immersive environment.
2. Puzzles: To collect evidence, players must complete QTEs that ensure careful handling of objects, such as bagging evidence or taking photographs, which adds precision to the investigation process.
3. Clue Analysis: Each piece of evidence reveals clues, helping players form a clearer picture of the crime. Some clues directly point to suspects, while others provide narrative context or hint at hidden motives.
4. Suspect Matching: After collecting clues, players head to the station to analyze suspects and match evidence with motives. The correct match leads to an arrest, while an incorrect choice results in failure.
5. Failure and Success: The game’s progression depends on making the right decisions at each step. Incorrect handling of evidence or choosing the wrong suspect results in failing the case.

Devlog:

Hello, fellow gamers and developers! I'm thrilled to share my first 3D Unity project! This passion project came to life during a Game Jam, where I collaborated with an incredibly talented designer. The experience was a huge learning curve that taught me so much about game design, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was implementing the puzzles in the game. Building and testing puzzle mechanics in a 3D space wasn’t easy—I ran into so many unexpected issues, from logic bugs to Unity doing its usual thing and throwing curveballs. But each challenge pushed me to think deeper and get more creative with my solutions.

From the initial brainstorming sessions to the final round of debugging, the whole journey was intense, rewarding, and full of growth. I'm super proud of what we created!

Project Takeaways:

• 3D Player Movement: Controlled movement along X and Z axes.
• Object Interaction: Enabled player interaction with in-game objects.
• Puzzle Mechanics: Designed and implemented puzzle-based gameplay.
• Script Coordination: Managed multiple scripts for puzzle functionality.
• Asset Importing: Integrated the external assets into the project.
• Materials & Textures: Applied materials and textures for visual detail.
• Game Testing: Conducted thorough testing to ensure stability.
• Team Collaboration: Worked effectively within a team environment.
• Animated UI: Added dynamic animations to UI elements for better engagement.