Old meets new as Mechagami World brings the ancient art of Japanese paper folding to life using AR technology.
Dating all the way back to the famous Edo period (1603–1867), traditional Japanese origami is a specific style of art involving the folding, and sometimes cutting, of paper to form various sculptures and designs. Those unfamiliar with the practice will still most likely recognize the famous paper crane model, a standard model that’s become origami’s unofficial mascot of sorts.
In an effort to help bridge this ancient art with modern technology, augmented artist David Williamson has developed Mechagami World, a new AR experience which allows users to explore a 3D origami garden intertwined with the real world. Using their smartphones camera to view the colorful paper action, users can participate in a variety of origami-based activities, from solving puzzles by moving around AR objects in a 3D space, to navigating paper butterflies around obstacles or playing a few rounds of Whack-A-Squirmy-Paper-Mole. There’s even an adorable escort mission where you’ll use a paper butterfly to safely guide a host of paper bunnies back their worried mother.
Users can interact with a variety of unique origami creatures, as well as complete assignments to unlock power-ups and other styles of origami paper in which to experiment with. Digital windmills spread across your augmented garden are their to help, propelling you in different directions as your flying work of art catches their strong breezes. Collecting digital coins from pesky moles will also unlock additional content to explore.
A selection of increasingly-challenging levels and unlockable features are designed to keep the serene AR puzzler fun and engaging. For even more goodies, turn on Mechagami World’s optional ad system to unlock even more bonus levels. Not a bad-trade-off for a few pop-ups!
Looking for some cooperative paper folding action? Mechagami World provides multiplayer functionality allowing players to share a 3D garden and solve puzzles together.
Mechagami World is available for free on iOS devices running on the 11.0 update or later. For more information be sure to check out Williamson’s official Facebook page.
Image Credit: David Williamson
