Juan Lam
@juanlam.com
Writer and Game Developer. Trying to find where the magic is. Making silly little things over at https://juanlam.com/
Founder @gnomecap.games
Founder @gnomecap.games
Galactic Traffic Control
In partnership with flowanimation.com
In partnership with flowanimation.com
September 6, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Galactic Traffic Control
In partnership with flowanimation.com
In partnership with flowanimation.com
So far:
- Surfacebound Pathing
-Surface Snapping
- Surface Queries (Get surface of label X and type Z, or GetSpawnInRoom)
- Surface Zones (configure "valid" surface areas)
- Configurable Surface Grids (using this to smooth out pathing rn)
Want to add oct-trees next for better performance & pathing!
- Surfacebound Pathing
-Surface Snapping
- Surface Queries (Get surface of label X and type Z, or GetSpawnInRoom)
- Surface Zones (configure "valid" surface areas)
- Configurable Surface Grids (using this to smooth out pathing rn)
Want to add oct-trees next for better performance & pathing!
September 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
So far:
- Surfacebound Pathing
-Surface Snapping
- Surface Queries (Get surface of label X and type Z, or GetSpawnInRoom)
- Surface Zones (configure "valid" surface areas)
- Configurable Surface Grids (using this to smooth out pathing rn)
Want to add oct-trees next for better performance & pathing!
- Surfacebound Pathing
-Surface Snapping
- Surface Queries (Get surface of label X and type Z, or GetSpawnInRoom)
- Surface Zones (configure "valid" surface areas)
- Configurable Surface Grids (using this to smooth out pathing rn)
Want to add oct-trees next for better performance & pathing!
But for now, here's the path that's represented by the nodes in the first post. You can see that it goes Wall11 -> Floor -> Table2Right -> Table2Top and the corresponding nodes are highlighted in gold in both the 2D and 3D view
September 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
But for now, here's the path that's represented by the nodes in the first post. You can see that it goes Wall11 -> Floor -> Table2Right -> Table2Top and the corresponding nodes are highlighted in gold in both the 2D and 3D view
I'm continuing work on our OpenXR mixed reality tool called "MR Magic"
Here's a screenshot of what that looks like with meta bounding boxes in my room + the tool I made to help me visually debug my surface2surface pathfinding algo
Surfaces are nodes connected by edges, which is what's shown :)
Here's a screenshot of what that looks like with meta bounding boxes in my room + the tool I made to help me visually debug my surface2surface pathfinding algo
Surfaces are nodes connected by edges, which is what's shown :)
September 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I'm continuing work on our OpenXR mixed reality tool called "MR Magic"
Here's a screenshot of what that looks like with meta bounding boxes in my room + the tool I made to help me visually debug my surface2surface pathfinding algo
Surfaces are nodes connected by edges, which is what's shown :)
Here's a screenshot of what that looks like with meta bounding boxes in my room + the tool I made to help me visually debug my surface2surface pathfinding algo
Surfaces are nodes connected by edges, which is what's shown :)
While I'm working on the new game my team is working on finishing up Galactic Traffic Control with a 1.0 official release!
Plus! Doing some very cool collaborations. Very excited with where we're going and what we're doing.
Plus! Doing some very cool collaborations. Very excited with where we're going and what we're doing.
July 28, 2025 at 3:48 AM
While I'm working on the new game my team is working on finishing up Galactic Traffic Control with a 1.0 official release!
Plus! Doing some very cool collaborations. Very excited with where we're going and what we're doing.
Plus! Doing some very cool collaborations. Very excited with where we're going and what we're doing.
VR + Mini Mode update is out NOW for Galactic Traffic Control!
I ❤️ this update. You can play while seated, standing still, on a unicycle, wherever! I like mini-mode even better than room-scale.
We also added VR Mode. Quest 2 users, rejoice!
Try it! Lmk ur thoughts
www.meta.com/experiences/...
I ❤️ this update. You can play while seated, standing still, on a unicycle, wherever! I like mini-mode even better than room-scale.
We also added VR Mode. Quest 2 users, rejoice!
Try it! Lmk ur thoughts
www.meta.com/experiences/...
May 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM
VR + Mini Mode update is out NOW for Galactic Traffic Control!
I ❤️ this update. You can play while seated, standing still, on a unicycle, wherever! I like mini-mode even better than room-scale.
We also added VR Mode. Quest 2 users, rejoice!
Try it! Lmk ur thoughts
www.meta.com/experiences/...
I ❤️ this update. You can play while seated, standing still, on a unicycle, wherever! I like mini-mode even better than room-scale.
We also added VR Mode. Quest 2 users, rejoice!
Try it! Lmk ur thoughts
www.meta.com/experiences/...
For the past week I've been working on a surface-bound pathfinding package in Unity for mixed reality apps. I'm hoping to release it for other devs to use as well once I have it a bit more polished up!
Spoilers -- we're in the early days of a tower defense prototype for our next game 👀
Spoilers -- we're in the early days of a tower defense prototype for our next game 👀
March 31, 2025 at 6:43 PM
For the past week I've been working on a surface-bound pathfinding package in Unity for mixed reality apps. I'm hoping to release it for other devs to use as well once I have it a bit more polished up!
Spoilers -- we're in the early days of a tower defense prototype for our next game 👀
Spoilers -- we're in the early days of a tower defense prototype for our next game 👀
I love the XR community!!!
@xrnerd.bsky.social @4thwallbreakers.bsky.social @tovanbo.bsky.social @ellenlowing.bsky.social @aidanwolf.bsky.social
@xrnerd.bsky.social @4thwallbreakers.bsky.social @tovanbo.bsky.social @ellenlowing.bsky.social @aidanwolf.bsky.social
March 20, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I love the XR community!!!
@xrnerd.bsky.social @4thwallbreakers.bsky.social @tovanbo.bsky.social @ellenlowing.bsky.social @aidanwolf.bsky.social
@xrnerd.bsky.social @4thwallbreakers.bsky.social @tovanbo.bsky.social @ellenlowing.bsky.social @aidanwolf.bsky.social
Demoing Galactic Traffic Control today at Yerba Buena Garden with @ellenlowing.bsky.social from 1pm to 4pm ish
Pop by if you're at #GDC
Pop by if you're at #GDC
March 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Demoing Galactic Traffic Control today at Yerba Buena Garden with @ellenlowing.bsky.social from 1pm to 4pm ish
Pop by if you're at #GDC
Pop by if you're at #GDC
Was awesome seeing the legendary @tripmaster.bsky.social in GDC! I'll be around to meet with any other XR folks this week so hit me up!!
March 17, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Was awesome seeing the legendary @tripmaster.bsky.social in GDC! I'll be around to meet with any other XR folks this week so hit me up!!
Hello everyone! I'm excited to share that I'll be going to GDC for the first time this year!!
I'm looking to connect with anyone in the XR community. Would really love to chat. Reach out if you're want to meet up at some point for coffee or a chat ☕🍵
I'm looking to connect with anyone in the XR community. Would really love to chat. Reach out if you're want to meet up at some point for coffee or a chat ☕🍵
February 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Hello everyone! I'm excited to share that I'll be going to GDC for the first time this year!!
I'm looking to connect with anyone in the XR community. Would really love to chat. Reach out if you're want to meet up at some point for coffee or a chat ☕🍵
I'm looking to connect with anyone in the XR community. Would really love to chat. Reach out if you're want to meet up at some point for coffee or a chat ☕🍵
Working on a new banner for Galactic Traffic Control! What do y'all think? New (left) vs Old (right)
December 21, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Working on a new banner for Galactic Traffic Control! What do y'all think? New (left) vs Old (right)
I know on Meta's *only* discontinuing Scoreboard and that technically Leaderboard still works. Ideally, they're going to re-build the scoreboard functionality into the OS and all the other associated APIs will keep working as normal.
Just worried about implementing bc of this. Any tips / advice??
Just worried about implementing bc of this. Any tips / advice??
December 11, 2024 at 3:16 PM
I know on Meta's *only* discontinuing Scoreboard and that technically Leaderboard still works. Ideally, they're going to re-build the scoreboard functionality into the OS and all the other associated APIs will keep working as normal.
Just worried about implementing bc of this. Any tips / advice??
Just worried about implementing bc of this. Any tips / advice??
To make it even more tricky, I made it so that if a buff did spawn, you had to collect it just like a hyperdrop if you wanted to claim it! Except with one big twist: unlike hyperdrops, the buffs move around the station. So they're a bit tricky to catch
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
To make it even more tricky, I made it so that if a buff did spawn, you had to collect it just like a hyperdrop if you wanted to claim it! Except with one big twist: unlike hyperdrops, the buffs move around the station. So they're a bit tricky to catch
Originally they were just meant to be used on buffs you could spawn from a menu on your hand. Each had a cost, so you could only buy what you could afford.
They're still used to buy buffs (& game modes now too!) but what's really changed is how I handle buffs!
They're still used to buy buffs (& game modes now too!) but what's really changed is how I handle buffs!
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Originally they were just meant to be used on buffs you could spawn from a menu on your hand. Each had a cost, so you could only buy what you could afford.
They're still used to buy buffs (& game modes now too!) but what's really changed is how I handle buffs!
They're still used to buy buffs (& game modes now too!) but what's really changed is how I handle buffs!
Hyperdrops! The idea with hyperdrops is that they serve as a currency that allows you to get power-ups / buffs.
To collect them, rather than have the user just pinch them quickly before disappearing, it was better to make the user have a ship collect and deliver them
To collect them, rather than have the user just pinch them quickly before disappearing, it was better to make the user have a ship collect and deliver them
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Hyperdrops! The idea with hyperdrops is that they serve as a currency that allows you to get power-ups / buffs.
To collect them, rather than have the user just pinch them quickly before disappearing, it was better to make the user have a ship collect and deliver them
To collect them, rather than have the user just pinch them quickly before disappearing, it was better to make the user have a ship collect and deliver them
My final, and favorite, obstacle was the Cosmablob. I am fond of this guy for his funky blob physics and googly eyes. The blob has two special properties:
1. They absorb the power of any ships they overlap with & leave them frozen for 30s.
2. They attack either you / the station
1. They absorb the power of any ships they overlap with & leave them frozen for 30s.
2. They attack either you / the station
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
My final, and favorite, obstacle was the Cosmablob. I am fond of this guy for his funky blob physics and googly eyes. The blob has two special properties:
1. They absorb the power of any ships they overlap with & leave them frozen for 30s.
2. They attack either you / the station
1. They absorb the power of any ships they overlap with & leave them frozen for 30s.
2. They attack either you / the station
The benefit of the blackhole is that in addition to being a spatial threat, they're a temporal threat, too. The player can try to navigate around the blackhole (spatial), but they also have to decide whether to stay around the blackhole for its duration in order to prevent 💥
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
The benefit of the blackhole is that in addition to being a spatial threat, they're a temporal threat, too. The player can try to navigate around the blackhole (spatial), but they also have to decide whether to stay around the blackhole for its duration in order to prevent 💥
Blackholes were another obvious addition and immediately menacing. They have a gravitational pull, but rather than immediately absorbing ships they would act like fly-traps, holding onto a ship until another ship gets pulled in and they 💥
This also allows player to save them!
This also allows player to save them!
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Blackholes were another obvious addition and immediately menacing. They have a gravitational pull, but rather than immediately absorbing ships they would act like fly-traps, holding onto a ship until another ship gets pulled in and they 💥
This also allows player to save them!
This also allows player to save them!
I began with asteroids. Asteroids were straightforward: they spawn and flame towards the station, maybe taking out a ship or too on the way. If it hits? Minus one heart.
While fun, it wasn't until later in the development cycle that I realized I could make them more threatening
While fun, it wasn't until later in the development cycle that I realized I could make them more threatening
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
I began with asteroids. Asteroids were straightforward: they spawn and flame towards the station, maybe taking out a ship or too on the way. If it hits? Minus one heart.
While fun, it wasn't until later in the development cycle that I realized I could make them more threatening
While fun, it wasn't until later in the development cycle that I realized I could make them more threatening
Well, him, & a few other threats. So far GTC was a great spatial management game — but Flight Control was also a time management game according to Wikipedia. I needed to make sure the player had to make choices about what to pay attention to. I needed obstacles & opps.
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Well, him, & a few other threats. So far GTC was a great spatial management game — but Flight Control was also a time management game according to Wikipedia. I needed to make sure the player had to make choices about what to pay attention to. I needed obstacles & opps.
This is good! Very good, in fact, and an improvement on the helicopter vs plane of Flight Control that makes it more suitable for 3D. Yet I didn't feel like there was enough tension in the gameplay still. It needed more. How could I make the game feel a tad bit more chaotic?
Him
Him
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
This is good! Very good, in fact, and an improvement on the helicopter vs plane of Flight Control that makes it more suitable for 3D. Yet I didn't feel like there was enough tension in the gameplay still. It needed more. How could I make the game feel a tad bit more chaotic?
Him
Him
Red 🟥 ships are small, annoying, aggressive, and relentless. They're a lot like mosquitoes, and while they're like green ships in that they seek you out for answers, they just get angrier if you try to nudge them away. You have to drag them off your face and right to the portal
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Red 🟥 ships are small, annoying, aggressive, and relentless. They're a lot like mosquitoes, and while they're like green ships in that they seek you out for answers, they just get angrier if you try to nudge them away. You have to drag them off your face and right to the portal
Purple 🟪 ships are my favorite. They're just as confused as blue ships, but more jumpy!
They zip around your room randomly really really fast. Like they've got the zoomies. They rest for a few seconds between sprints, but you can only catch them while they're moving.
They zip around your room randomly really really fast. Like they've got the zoomies. They rest for a few seconds between sprints, but you can only catch them while they're moving.
December 4, 2024 at 3:10 AM
Purple 🟪 ships are my favorite. They're just as confused as blue ships, but more jumpy!
They zip around your room randomly really really fast. Like they've got the zoomies. They rest for a few seconds between sprints, but you can only catch them while they're moving.
They zip around your room randomly really really fast. Like they've got the zoomies. They rest for a few seconds between sprints, but you can only catch them while they're moving.