Zenelephant XR Studios 是由 Pranav 與 Yadhu 共同創立的一支獨立開發團隊。兩人自大學相識超過十年，始終對創作抱持強烈的熱情。隨著 Quest 問世，他們開始更深入投入 XR 領域，並最終成立工作室，致力於打造兼具想像力與互動性的 MR／VR 體驗。

他們的首款作品 GridTsugi 目前已在 Meta Quest Store 上架，並在全球 18 個國家獲得玩家喜愛。這款作品以清晰的邏輯、令人滿足的空間拼接機制，以及療癒感十足的手繪風格，逐步建立出團隊獨特的創作氛圍。

兩位創辦人回顧早期時期時表示，他們一直想做屬於自己的產品，也在原型製作的過程中逐漸找到共同方向。他們笑說，當時並沒有宏大的計畫，只是因為熱愛創作，在大學的四年間不斷嘗試、實驗，最後才逐漸看清自己真正想做的事情。當 VR 技術開始快速進化，他們看到全新的可能性，也毅然決然踏入 XR 領域，開始打造第一款真正屬於自己的混合實境遊戲。

《GridTsugi》的核心概念，是以「純邏輯」帶給玩家清晰而滿足的解謎體驗。雖然外觀看起來簡單，但每個關卡都藏著漸進式的邏輯推進，讓許多熱愛 puzzle 的玩家沉迷其中。團隊的理念是讓遊戲「對孩子友善、對大人有深度」，因此在設計時強調規則要清楚、節奏要舒適，並讓 MR 的體驗自然融入玩家的生活空間。他們也加入 ASMR 式的輕柔音效與三種不同主題風格，讓整體體驗既放鬆又沉浸。

儘管遊戲畫風溫暖可愛，但開發過程卻充滿挑戰。技術方面，《GridTsugi》的每個關卡都包含大量可互動的橋段與物件，尤其後期關卡的互動數量多到可能影響效能，如何在 Quest 的硬體限制下維持流暢，是他們費時最多的部分。在美術風格上，團隊原本考慮寫實風格，但最終改為全手繪的 toon 風格。他們說：「這代表每張材質都得手動繪製。」雖然耗時，但也讓遊戲建立起最獨特的視覺語言。

由於遊戲發生在玩家的「真實房間中」，空間設計需要格外精準。橋段的距離、角度與動線都必須仔細調整，才能同時適應不同家庭空間並維持解謎的邏輯性。這些細節需要大量測試與反覆修改，也成為開發過程中不可缺少的重要一環。

在視覺與聲音的呈現上，團隊希望打造一款「舒服、自然、沉浸」的 MR 體驗。他們採用強烈但柔和的色彩、細緻的手繪質感與適合 Quest 裝置的 toon-shaded 效果，使畫面乾淨又溫柔。聲音方面，以 ASMR 式的觸感音效、輕盈的背景音樂、層次豐富的環境音為基礎，再搭配細緻的互動聲響，讓玩家在遊玩時可以真正放鬆。

Pranav 與 Yadhu 都來自印度 Kerala 北部的 Kasaragod 與 Kannur，那裡以多元文化與平靜的生活節奏聞名。他們也在 Kochi 度過四年求學時光，而那段期間接觸到來自不同背景的同學，使兩人逐漸建立起對「文化共存」與「包容」的深刻理解。他們說：「那裡讓我們明白什麼叫真正的包容，也學會如何在多元文化中創作。」這段經歷讓他們在《GridTsugi》的設計上更重視視覺敘事，而非依賴大量文字，希望世界各地的玩家都能輕鬆理解，不受語言限制。

作為小型獨立團隊，他們非常依賴玩家社群。Reddit、Instagram、Discord 上的回饋，以及 Meta Store 的評論，都是他們調整遊戲的重要依據。他們坦言，這些來自真實玩家的意見是最能推動作品進步的力量，也讓他們能在有限資源下持續找到最佳方向。

談及最讓人動容的瞬間，兩位創辦人提到早期申請 Buildspace 的那段時光。當時他們只有一些非常初期、甚至稍微有些隨意的測試片段，但最近回頭看這些影片時，他們才真正意識到自己從那時走到了多遠。他們也特別感謝家人與好友在創作過程中的支持，不催促、不反對，默默支持他們完成看似冒險的夢想。

他們認為未來的 XR 敘事方式將逐漸從線性轉向「沉浸式」，玩家將不再只是觀看故事，而是「走進故事」。混合實境能讓虛擬內容自然融入真實空間，使互動更貼近情感；而 AI 的加入則能加速世界生成、強化 NPC 邏輯，甚至讓小團隊也能打造大型而動態的世界。不過他們也強調，再強大的 AI 仍然無法取代創作中最重要的人性、文化與情感。

在遊戲啟發方面，他們提到許多深受喜愛的 VR/MR 作品：

• Walkabout Mini Golf：和朋友一起玩的最佳去處
• I Am Cat：讓人不自覺微笑的混亂樂趣
• A Fisherman’s Tale：視角與敘事上的巧思
• Half-Life: Alyx：仍然是沉浸式互動的最高標準
• Red Matter 系列：以 Quest 裝置呈現出的驚人視覺
• Wall Town Wonders：展現 MR 的真正魅力

最後，他們認為 XR 正迎來關鍵轉折點。混合實境能讓玩家更自然地進入虛擬世界，而硬體未來也將變得更輕、更舒適、更貼近平常生活。一旦這些門檻被突破，VR/MR 的使用者將呈現爆發性成長。他們也留下這樣一句話給讀者：「繼續創造吧。硬體會持續進步，但真正讓世界前進的，是每個願意打造新體驗的創作者。」

META HORIZON 商店：https://www.meta.com/experiences/gridtsugi/24299528839684715/

VR NEWS TODAY 與 Pranav & Yadhu 的完整採訪：

Q1：Could you please introduce yourself and Zenelephant XR Studios to our readers?
We are Pranav and Yadhu, we co-founded zenelephantXR Studios. Weʼre a passionate indie team focused on building playful, imaginative MR/VR experiences that blend real-world spaces with something special and unique. Our goal is simple: to create experiences that make people smile, move, and feel connected to their environment in new ways.
And now, weʼve released our first game on the Meta Quest Store GridTsugi, a cozy logical puzzle experience thatʼs already being played in 18 countries around the world.

Q2：What inspired you to start working in the XR/VR field, and how did zenelephantXR Studios come to be?
We always wanted to build our own things. We studied in the same class in college and have known each other for over 10 years now, so creating something together felt natural. As we kept experimenting and building prototypes, we realized we had something special something we genuinely enjoyed doing, creatively and passionately. When the Oculus Quest 2 came out, we played a lot of VR games and were genuinely impressed by the possibilities, so we thought, why not make our own game

Q3：Could you share the main concept and development vision behind your latest project?
We wanted to create a strong hook with logical, satisfying puzzles that appeal to puzzle lovers while keeping the gameplay simple at the start and gradually evolving into more complex, challenging levels. There arenʼt many pure logical puzzle games on the store right now, so we thought making one
The vision was to merge simple mechanics with puzzle rules that are easy enough for even kids to understand, while still offering depth for puzzle lovers. We wanted to create a clean, logical experience and blend all these elements into something warm, accessible, and exciting to play in mixed reality. We also focused on adding ASMR-like cozy vibes and introduced three different themes to create a playful and relaxing experience for players.

Q4：What were the biggest challenges you faced during development whether technical, artistic, or design-related and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges we faced was on the technical side game looks simple but Every level has multiple interactive bridges, and at higher levels every bridge element is interactable. Managing so many interactive objects in a single scene while keeping performance smooth was a major challenge.
On the artistic side, we initially considered going with a normal, realistic color style. But later, we shifted completely to a toony, hand-painted look. This meant every texture had to be painted manually to match the cozy, playful vibe we wanted a lot more work, but incredibly rewarding.
From a design perspective, setting up each scene required extreme accuracy. The placement of bridges, puzzle flow, and spatial layouts all needed precise adjustments because the game happens inside peopleʼs real rooms. Designing levels that adapt well to different spaces while still staying fun and logical took many iterations.
We overcame all these challenges through constant play testing, refining our tools, optimizing interactions, and trusting our artistic direction. Over time, all these pieces came together to create the polished experience we envisioned

Q5：How does your team approach visual and sound design to create immersive experiences in XR?
For GridTsugi, our visual and audio design approach leans heavily into atmosphere and comfort. On the audio side, we use ASMR-style cues and cozy background music when the theme calls for it. For warmer, more relaxed experiences, we layer in soft environmental sounds, gentle object interactions, and subtle ambient loops that feel satisfying and calming. The music is always tailored to the theme, and we try to add as much audio detail as possible without impacting performance.
Visually, we focus on strong color palettes, hand-painted textures, and stylized toon-shaded materials. Standalone XR devices like the Quest have limited performance budgets, but we push the hardware as far as we can to deliver appealing, high-quality visuals. Itʼs always a balance: clarity, style, and performance all need to work together. Our goal is for the visuals and audio to support each other seamlessly, creating an experience that feels immersive without compromise.

Q6：As your projects reach players from around the world, how do you balance global accessibility with local cultural identity?
We approach this with the philosophy of ‘Kerala to the world.ʼ We were both born and raised in the northern districts of Kerala ( Kasaragod and Kannur ) regions known for their serene backwaters, cultural diversity, and a rhythm of life where many beliefs and traditions coexist in harmony. Growing up in a place that canʼt be neatly categorized has shaped our identity.
Our journey continued in Kochi, where we spent four formative years studying at Cochin University. Being surrounded by a diverse campus environment with students from many different backgrounds gave us a broader worldview. Kochi helped us grow as individuals, sharpen our creative sensibilities, and understand what it means to build something meaningful. That period made us more mature human beings and strengthened our belief that we can produce high-quality products from our local roots.
We reduce language barriers through visual storytelling, expressive animations, and environmental cues rather than heavy text, and we support this with thoughtful language localization so players across regions feel included. We hold ourselves to international production quality while staying proudly grounded in the culture that shaped us the place many call Godʼs Own Country.

Q7：How do you usually gather and respond to player feedback after release?
As a small team, we rely heavily on community feedback shared through social media, and online discussions. Platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and Discord give us raw, honest insights into player frustrations, feature requests, and unexpected usability issues. For our earlier projects, we didnʼt have a large playtesting pool before launch, so real-world player feedback became extremely valuable in shaping our post-release updates. We also pay close attention to store reviews after launch, as they clearly highlight what players love, what confuses them, and what needs immediate improvement

Q8：What has been the most memorable or touching moment for you during this projectʼs development?
One of the most touching moments for us was when we applied to Buildspace and had to upload a few early, random videos of our project. At the time, we just needed to show something anything that represented the idea we were working on. But when we recently looked back at those videos, it hit us how far weʼve come.
Another deeply meaningful part of this journey has been the support from our close friends and family. They stood behind us throughout the entire process encouraging us, believing in us, and giving us the space to build at our own pace. Even though we were taking a risk and working without guarantees, they never pressured us or pushed us to choose a safer path. Their quiet confidence in us every small step feel worth it.

Q9：What are your thoughts on the future of XR/VR gaming and storytelling?
torytelling in XR will evolve beyond linear narratives. Instead of watching a story unfold, players will live inside it, shaping the world through their presence, gestures, and choices. Even small interactions like picking up an object, looking at a character, or engaging with elements in their own room will carry narrative meaning and emotional weight.
We also see mixed reality becoming a major part of this future. Players wonʼt always want to step away from their surroundings; instead, virtual stories and mechanics will blend naturally into real spaces, creating cozy, personal, and deeply emotional experiences not just large scale action games.
AI-assisted creation will accelerate this shift by enabling dynamic worlds, smarter NPCs, and faster development for small teams like ours. But even with advanced AI, human creativity culture, emotion, humor, and authenticity will remain at the heart of meaningful storytelling.
Looking ahead, XR gives people bring them to a global audience through devices that feel as natural to wear as everyday eyewear.

Q10：What is your favorite VR or MR game, and what makes it special to you?
Some of our favorite VR/MR games are Walkabout Mini Golf, because itʼs genuinely fun to play mini-golf and itʼs one of the best ways to hang out with friends virtually. Even if everyone is in the same room, it still feels like a cozy spot to chill, talk, or even hold mini team meetings.
We also love I Am Cat, where playing as a tiny kitten brings a playful, chaotic energy that always makes us smile. A Fishermanʼs Tale stands out for its clever, perspective-based puzzles and unique storytelling.
Half-Life: Alyx remains unmatched in immersion, with incredible world-building and interactions that set the benchmark for what VR can be. Red Matter 1 and 2 really impressed us with their technical achievement pulling off such high-quality, atmospheric visuals and polished sci-fi puzzle design on Quest 2 and 3 is nothing short of remarkable.
And finally, Wall Town Wonders showcases the true potential of mixed reality bringing playful mechanics directly into the living room in a way that feels natural, interactive, and genuinely fun.

Q10： Finally, what message would you like to share with our readers and VR enthusiasts around the world?
Weʼre at a real tipping point for immersive tech. Recent studies show that mixed reality can significantly reduce motion sickness and help people transition more comfortably into full VR. Mainstream adoption might first come through XR and AI hardware built for specific use cases, but the real inflection point will arrive when form factor and comfort are fully addressed. And they will be, these hardware challenges will be tackled as the industry moves forward. Once those barriers fall, we expect a tremendous, potentially exponential rise in users entering the VR space.
To creators, enthusiasts, and studios: keep building. Hardware can only shine when great software leads the way, and the best part of this transition is still ahead of us.

META HORIZON 商店：https://www.meta.com/experiences/gridtsugi/24299528839684715/

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