MySafari (formerly myZoo) was a zoo management application running on Facebook, active from 2009 to 2011.
© 2009-2011 PlaySocial & 3Pin Media
Following the success of myFarm, a Facebook-based farm management game, PlaySocial approached me once again to work on an even more ambitious project. Initially titled myZoo, the game was later rebranded as mySafari to better reflect its wildlife conservation and adventure theme.
For this project, I took full creative control over the entire graphical design and direction, shaping the game's visual identity from the ground up. Unlike myFarm, which relied on pixel art, I decided to explore a different artistic approach for mySafari. Instead of working directly in digital form, I began by sketching each element on paper, ensuring a more hand-crafted and organic feel. Once the designs were finalized, I meticulously digitized and refined them in Adobe Photoshop, adding vibrant colors, shading, and intricate details to bring the world of mySafari to life. This shift from pixel-based graphics to digitally enhanced hand-drawn illustrations allowed the game to offer a more immersive and visually rich experience, perfectly complementing its adventurous spirit.
Here's a non-exhaustive list of the assets I created for the game's launch:
1) The design of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) for both the game and website.
2) The character design of the Zoo Keeper.
3) The visuals of seven unique habitats: the icy Arctic, lush Forest, vibrant Jungle, towering Mountain, sweeping Savanna, mysterious Swamp, and the untamed beauty of the Outback. You can see a part of it below.
4) Food sources, each with 5 growth states: Bamboo Orchard, Banana Orchard, Apple Orchard, Eucalyptus Orchard, Carrot Patch, Grass Field, Sugar Cane Field, Turtle Hatchery, Fish Hatchery and Rabbit Pen. You can see a part of it below.
5) Zoo facilities such as the Ice House, myZoo Café, Snow Cone, Hot Dog, Popcorn, and the Restrooms. You can see a part of it below.
6) Vehicles, like a Leopard Zoo Van, a Zoo Truck with an optional barrel attachment, a Zoo Car, and an ATV with an optional tiller attachment.
7) And last but not least, the animals - and there were a lot of them! Additionally, each animal had three growth states (baby, kid, adult), and four animations for each state. The main animals are pictured below.
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