I thought I'd do something a little fun today and share my design process of the 'Kinmoku Shark' – the gaming system featured in VIDEOVERSE, which launches soon on August 7th.
VIDEOVERSE takes place on (and is named after) the Kinmoku Shark console’s online social network. This fictional gaming system was first released in 1998 and was the first Kinmoku console with internet access. Although being quite modern for its time – a portable console with a rechargeable battery – the Shark needed to connect to the internet via ethernet because wifi wasn't available yet, making it similar to old-school chunky laptops.
There were many limitations and things to consider whilst coming up with the Kinmoku Shark, so let's take a look into how it came to be...
VIDEOVERSE takes place on (and is named after) the Kinmoku Shark console’s online social network. This fictional gaming system was first released in 1998 and was the first Kinmoku console with internet access. Although being quite modern for its time – a portable console with a rechargeable battery – the Shark needed to connect to the internet via ethernet because wifi wasn't available yet, making it similar to old-school chunky laptops.
There were many limitations and things to consider whilst coming up with the Kinmoku Shark, so let's take a look into how it came to be...
 |  |
The first Kinmoku Shark design was a lot like a Nintendo handheld but, to match the 1-bit pixel graphics the system supports, I decided it needed to look older, chunkier and more unique, perhaps even taking the name Shark more literally in its design.
Inspired by the Vectrex, Sega Pico, Commodore and other retro machines, I tried many different designs incorporating a shark fin or sea motif.
The console needed to have a cartridge slot, touchpad, stylus, built-in screen, ethernet port and 2 controller ports. It also needed a webcam for the video chats the characters have together, but after a few sketches, I realised this should be a peripheral to match the era...
Inspired by the Vectrex, Sega Pico, Commodore and other retro machines, I tried many different designs incorporating a shark fin or sea motif.
The console needed to have a cartridge slot, touchpad, stylus, built-in screen, ethernet port and 2 controller ports. It also needed a webcam for the video chats the characters have together, but after a few sketches, I realised this should be a peripheral to match the era...
  |   |
However, I still preferred the simplicity of the original handheld design, so I tried sketching a few variations of it with the webcam peripheral. I was super keen on the cartridge slot being on the front (or extremely visible) since, somehow, that seems more retro to me. But, in the end, I didn't think it made much sense alongside the 2 controller ports, so I moved it to the back!
 |  |
But what about the controllers? I hadn't given them much thought up until this point (as can be seen by my rough sketches!). Whilst the Shark itself has a lower touch screen, stylus, directional, home and enter buttons, more complicated games are better experienced on a controller. Plus, Shark also supports local 2-player, like many real life consoles did at the time.
So, I tried a bunch of ideas; trying out a stronger shark/ sea motif, or attempting to match the latest console design:
The word "chonk" certainly comes up a lot! 😅 But I had a lot of fun coming up with these! However, it was very important for me to remember that the controller would need to be drawn several times throughout the game, so a simpler, more practical design would be the better choice for an indie dev like myself. Plus, it's important for it to feel like a genuine controller too, so I went with the design labelled "console", which has a similar shape to the Kinmoku Shark itself.
So, I tried a bunch of ideas; trying out a stronger shark/ sea motif, or attempting to match the latest console design:
The word "chonk" certainly comes up a lot! 😅 But I had a lot of fun coming up with these! However, it was very important for me to remember that the controller would need to be drawn several times throughout the game, so a simpler, more practical design would be the better choice for an indie dev like myself. Plus, it's important for it to feel like a genuine controller too, so I went with the design labelled "console", which has a similar shape to the Kinmoku Shark itself.
 |  |
So, above, is the final design with the chosen controller plugged in. However, I still hadn't come up with a design for webcam peripheral...
I was so keen on using the shark fin motif somewhere that I subtly added it to the webcam's grip on the back of the console! You can only see it from a side-on angle, though – Nice and subtle!
And, with that, the Kinmoku Shark console came to be. The name is inspired by the codename ‘Dolphin’ for GameCube, which I was fondly attached to as a young teenager. For the company name, I tried a few out in earlier versions of the game, but rested on 'Kinmoku' as there are evil, corporate connotations later in VIDEOVERSE...so it felt best to make fun of myself!
I really hope you enjoyed reading this little story about the Kinmoku Shark's design journey. I would love to make a real one with a Raspberry Pi and some 3D printing skills.. Hmm, maybe one day?
For now, I'll leave you with this Y2K magazine advert (right) – Would you have bought a Kinmoku Shark in 1998?
...
Wishlist VIDEOVERSE on Steam today and experience the Kinmoku Shark's social network yourself on August 7th!
I was so keen on using the shark fin motif somewhere that I subtly added it to the webcam's grip on the back of the console! You can only see it from a side-on angle, though – Nice and subtle!
And, with that, the Kinmoku Shark console came to be. The name is inspired by the codename ‘Dolphin’ for GameCube, which I was fondly attached to as a young teenager. For the company name, I tried a few out in earlier versions of the game, but rested on 'Kinmoku' as there are evil, corporate connotations later in VIDEOVERSE...so it felt best to make fun of myself!
I really hope you enjoyed reading this little story about the Kinmoku Shark's design journey. I would love to make a real one with a Raspberry Pi and some 3D printing skills.. Hmm, maybe one day?
For now, I'll leave you with this Y2K magazine advert (right) – Would you have bought a Kinmoku Shark in 1998?
...
Wishlist VIDEOVERSE on Steam today and experience the Kinmoku Shark's social network yourself on August 7th!