Project Title
Project: Sapiens
Project Timeline
October 2024 December 2024
Project Detail
Sapiens Experience is an introspective exploration through an interactive experience in VR that raises awareness about the harm caused by humanity's evolution on the world and environment, encouraging a deeper, unconscious reflection on its negative impact.
My Role
Working as a Director, Producer, Writer, Designer, and Artist, I found there were no boundaries between disciplines in creating this work. Our team consisted of six members with diverse expertise, including artists, programmers, and a sound designers.
SAPIENS Full Play Video
LOG LINE
A man awakens in a beautiful yet mysterious world, driven by an insatiable craving for fulfillment, but as he impulsively consumes and collects, he ultimately confronts the devastating consequences of his actions on the environment around him.
Sapiens Poster
Storyboard
ONCE UPON A TIME...
There was a man who woke up in the middle of a beautiful, shining world. It was unclear whether he had just been born or had woken up from a long sleep. Everything around him was peaceful, but he felt lost.
Every day(moment)...
Despite the beauty, something was missing. He felt a deep craving for something. Food, shelter, knowledge, or companionship? It was unclear, but he knew he needed something to feel alive, to understand his purpose.
One day(moment)...
While exploring, he discovered a small beautiful tree with a fresh, red apple that seemed to shine like a star. His instinct was drawn to it, he couldn’t resist taking a bite.
Because of that…
As soon as he tasted the apple, everything around him started to move forward, as if he was standing on a conveyor belt. He felt like a child swept away by a flood, confused and helpless. The craving never left him. In the chaos, he saw more apple trees, and hoping to find satisfaction, he reached for another apple and took a bite.
Nothing changed.
Because of that…
Amid the endless drift, he encountered different creatures and plants. Driven by his insatiable craving, he collected everything he found—touching, examining, and gathering whatever he could. He began creating things to fulfill his desires, building a kingdom and toys of his own around him.
Until Finally…
At that moment, he reached a dead end. The drift stopped, and he found himself in a devastated world. After a while, suddenly the drift starts to move backward and shows everything that this man did to this world. Everything was dull and gray, and he realized the consequences of his actions. The beauty he had once seen was gone, replaced by decay. He felt sorrow for what he had done, recognizing that he could not return to how things were. This was now his world to live in.
Environment Designs
7 ENVIRONMENT STAGES
The Sapiens experience takes players through a total of seven environmental stages. Each stage represents a phase in the evolution of humanity and civilization. The environments progress in the following order: 'Eden Garden - Forest - Field - City - Developed City - Destroyed City - Wasteland - Void.'
AI Generated 3D Props
USING AI FOR 3D PROPS
Some of the 3D art assets were generated using AI. These include the Magical Tree in the Garden of Eden and the Dead Tree in the Void (intended to represent the same tree at different stages in the story).
Final Thoughts & Takeaway
Working as a Director, Producer, Writer and Designer & Artist was very challenging, especially since this was one of my first VR projects. I worked hard to focus on delivering the intended story while ensuring the interactivity was intuitive and enjoyable without detracting from the story’s purpose. Overall, I am satisfied with the outcome and would like to express my thanks to my team for helping create this VR experience.
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© 2025 Felix Junghwan Choi; All rights reserved.