Quest Beyond Time
Art Direction for an Archaeological Adventure Video Game
Quest Beyond Time is a 2D side-scrolling adventure game developed in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to introduce children to the rich archaeological heritage of Vadnagar through interactive storytelling. Rather than presenting history as information to be read, the game invites players to discover it through exploration, puzzles and gameplay, transforming archaeological research into an engaging educational experience.
My Role
I led the complete art direction for the game, establishing the visual identity from concept to execution.
My responsibilities included:
Art Direction
Visual Development
Environment Design
Character Design
Prop & Artefact Design
Historical Visual Research
Asset Creation
Style Guide Development
Collaboration with the game design and development team
Every visual element was designed to support both the educational goals of the project and the player's experience.
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Client - Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
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Development Partner - Vizara Technologies
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Project - Quest Beyond Time
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Category - Art Direction • Game Design • Illustration
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Role - Art Director
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Deliverables - Environments, Characters, Assets, Visual Language, Art Direction
Building the World
Environment Design
The environments were inspired by the architectural language and archaeological layers of Vadnagar. I developed immersive spaces that combined historical references with stylised illustrations, allowing players to experience different periods of the site's history while maintaining a consistent visual language.
Characters & Artefacts
Every visual element in Quest Beyond Time was designed to transform archaeological research into an engaging interactive experience. From the protagonist, Chaitali, to the smallest pottery shard and ancient coin, each asset was developed through careful study of historical references while being adapted for a young audience.
The character design focused on creating a curious and relatable explorer who would guide players through the story, while the artefacts were illustrated from archaeological findings to ensure they remained authentic without compromising visual clarity. Together, these elements helped create a world where learning happened naturally through exploration and discovery.
Visual Language
From architectural details and surface textures to lighting and colour palettes, every element contributed to a cohesive world that encouraged exploration and discovery. The goal was to make learning feel like an adventure rather than a lesson.
Quest Beyond Time demonstrates how design can transform heritage into an engaging interactive experience. By combining illustration, historical research and game design, the project offers young audiences a meaningful way to connect with India's archaeological legacy through play.
