The Tale of Shadow
The Tale of Shadow, an augmented reality (AR) game set in the heart of Central Park, showcases how we bring this mission to life. The Tale of Shadow is designed to connect families and friends with nature through a magical adventure, where they work together to solve puzzles and uncover secrets. The game is an invitation to step away from the digital distractions and reconnect with the world around us – all while exploring the hidden magic of one of the most iconic parks in the world.
Project Brief and Challenges
The concept for The Tale of Shadow was to create an AR experience that could appeal to kids (around age 10) and adults alike, offering an engaging way to explore Central Park. The game’s protagonist is Shadow, a curious black cat who guides players through various challenges across the park, encouraging teamwork and puzzle-solving.
We aimed to create a family-friendly experience that was both accessible and enjoyable. However, we faced several key challenges during development:
- AR Anchoring: Ensuring that AR objects (like the animals and magic items) were accurately anchored around real-world locations
- Cross-Generational Appeal: Designing gameplay that was simple enough for younger children yet still compelling for adults.
- Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensuring a smooth experience for both iOS and Android users while maintaining high-quality AR interactions.
Design Process: From Concept to Reality
The Tale of Shadow was designed to be visually enchanting and accessible for players of all ages. Characters like Shadow the cat were modeled in Blender with hand-painted textures and expressive animations, giving each one a playful, magical personality. Inspired by children’s games, the art style is vibrant and approachable while still maintaining a sense of wonder for adults, closely tied to the Central Park setting. UI designs and game prototypes were developed in Figma through an iterative process, with regular user testing informing improvements to navigation, gameplay clarity, and storytelling. Together, the handcrafted visuals, thoughtful animations, and intuitive UI create a seamless and engaging experience that invites players to explore the park through a magical lens.
Game Features and Innovations
The game was designed with several key features to stand out in the AR space:
- Interactive Gameplay: Players use an in-game map to navigate from one location to another, uncovering mysteries along the way. Shadow appears at various points, offering clues and guidance.
- Puzzles Integrated with Nature: The design of the puzzles reflected the environment and history of Central Park. For example, plaques placed near the Cherry Hill Fountain referenced historical facts and invited players to interact with the environment to solve clues.
- A Magical Conclusion: At the end of the game, players unlock the final mystery of Central Park, revealing a magical transformation that emphasizes the theme of imagination and limitless possibilities.
The Tale of Shadow showcases Wonder Lab’s expertise in blending cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling to craft memorable, engaging experiences. The game highlights the value of stepping outside, connecting with nature, and fostering teamwork through shared adventures. As we look to the future, we’re eager to build on this success, exploring new opportunities to create projects that spark imagination, inspire curiosity, and bring people together.
Have an idea in mind?
Let’s Get in touch
Copyright© 2026 Wonder Lab®
The Tale of Shadow
Game Design
3D Modelling
Game Development
The Tale of Shadow, an augmented reality (AR) game set in the heart of Central Park, showcases how we bring this mission to life. The Tale of Shadow is designed to connect families and friends with nature through a magical adventure, where they work together to solve puzzles and uncover secrets. The game is an invitation to step away from the digital distractions and reconnect with the world around us – all while exploring the hidden magic of one of the most iconic parks in the world.
Project Brief and Challenges
The concept for The Tale of Shadow was to create an AR experience that could appeal to kids (around age 10) and adults alike, offering an engaging way to explore Central Park. The game’s protagonist is Shadow, a curious black cat who guides players through various challenges across the park, encouraging teamwork and puzzle-solving.
We aimed to create a family-friendly experience that was both accessible and enjoyable. However, we faced several key challenges during development:
- AR Anchoring: Ensuring that AR objects (like the animals and magic items) were accurately anchored around real-world locations
- Cross-Generational Appeal: Designing gameplay that was simple enough for younger children yet still compelling for adults.
- Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensuring a smooth experience for both iOS and Android users while maintaining high-quality AR interactions.
Design Process: From Concept to Reality
The Tale of Shadow was designed to be visually enchanting and accessible for players of all ages. Characters like Shadow the cat were modeled in Blender with hand-painted textures and expressive animations, giving each one a playful, magical personality. Inspired by children’s games, the art style is vibrant and approachable while still maintaining a sense of wonder for adults, closely tied to the Central Park setting. UI designs and game prototypes were developed in Figma through an iterative process, with regular user testing informing improvements to navigation, gameplay clarity, and storytelling. Together, the handcrafted visuals, thoughtful animations, and intuitive UI create a seamless and engaging experience that invites players to explore the park through a magical lens.
Game Features and Innovations
The game was designed with several key features to stand out in the AR space:
- Interactive Gameplay: Players use an in-game map to navigate from one location to another, uncovering mysteries along the way. Shadow appears at various points, offering clues and guidance.
- Puzzles Integrated with Nature: The design of the puzzles reflected the environment and history of Central Park. For example, plaques placed near the Cherry Hill Fountain referenced historical facts and invited players to interact with the environment to solve clues.
- A Magical Conclusion: At the end of the game, players unlock the final mystery of Central Park, revealing a magical transformation that emphasizes the theme of imagination and limitless possibilities.
The Tale of Shadow showcases Wonder Lab’s expertise in blending cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling to craft memorable, engaging experiences. The game highlights the value of stepping outside, connecting with nature, and fostering teamwork through shared adventures. As we look to the future, we’re eager to build on this success, exploring new opportunities to create projects that spark imagination, inspire curiosity, and bring people together.
Have an idea in
mind?
We’d love to explore it with you.
Let’s Get
in touch
Copyright© 2026 Wonder Lab®
The Tale of Shadow
Game Design
3D Modelling
Game Development
The Tale of Shadow, an augmented reality (AR) game set in the heart of Central Park, showcases how we bring this mission to life. The Tale of Shadow is designed to connect families and friends with nature through a magical adventure, where they work together to solve puzzles and uncover secrets. The game is an invitation to step away from the digital distractions and reconnect with the world around us – all while exploring the hidden magic of one of the most iconic parks in the world.
Project Brief and Challenges
The concept for The Tale of Shadow was to create an AR experience that could appeal to kids (around age 10) and adults alike, offering an engaging way to explore Central Park. The game’s protagonist is Shadow, a curious black cat who guides players through various challenges across the park, encouraging teamwork and puzzle-solving.
We aimed to create a family-friendly experience that was both accessible and enjoyable. However, we faced several key challenges during development:
- AR Anchoring: Ensuring that AR objects (like the animals and magic items) were accurately anchored around real-world locations
- Cross-Generational Appeal: Designing gameplay that was simple enough for younger children yet still compelling for adults.
- Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensuring a smooth experience for both iOS and Android users while maintaining high-quality AR interactions.
Design Process: From Concept to Reality
The Tale of Shadow was designed to be visually enchanting and accessible for players of all ages. Characters like Shadow the cat were modeled in Blender with hand-painted textures and expressive animations, giving each one a playful, magical personality. Inspired by children’s games, the art style is vibrant and approachable while still maintaining a sense of wonder for adults, closely tied to the Central Park setting. UI designs and game prototypes were developed in Figma through an iterative process, with regular user testing informing improvements to navigation, gameplay clarity, and storytelling. Together, the handcrafted visuals, thoughtful animations, and intuitive UI create a seamless and engaging experience that invites players to explore the park through a magical lens.
Game Features and Innovations
The game was designed with several key features to stand out in the AR space:
- Interactive Gameplay: Players use an in-game map to navigate from one location to another, uncovering mysteries along the way. Shadow appears at various points, offering clues and guidance.
- Puzzles Integrated with Nature: The design of the puzzles reflected the environment and history of Central Park. For example, plaques placed near the Cherry Hill Fountain referenced historical facts and invited players to interact with the environment to solve clues.
- A Magical Conclusion: At the end of the game, players unlock the final mystery of Central Park, revealing a magical transformation that emphasizes the theme of imagination and limitless possibilities.
The Tale of Shadow showcases Wonder Lab’s expertise in blending cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling to craft memorable, engaging experiences. The game highlights the value of stepping outside, connecting with nature, and fostering teamwork through shared adventures. As we look to the future, we’re eager to build on this success, exploring new opportunities to create projects that spark imagination, inspire curiosity, and bring people together.
Have an idea in
mind?
We’d love to explore it with you.
Let’s Get
in touch
Copyright© 2026 Wonder Lab®