Breadcrumbs
- Creative Computing
- Projects
- Sync or Sink
Sync or Sink
As part of MediaLab 2025, students from the Digital Game Production programme developed a cooperative first-person game focused on immersive atmosphere and communication under pressure.
During the summer semester of 2025, the students worked on delivering a production-ready PC game. Each team had the opportunity to choose their own topic. This led to the creation of the underwater co-op puzzle game Sync or Sink.
Objective
Sync or Sink places two players in a damaged Cold War-era submarine. Separated by multiple compartments and without visual contact, they can only communicate using a walkie-talkie. Together, they must solve puzzles, repair failing systems, and escape the sinking vessel before time runs out. The game emphasises cooperation under psychological pressure and fosters essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and managing stress.
The aim of the project was to develop a serious game that challenges players to communicate effectively while delivering a gripping and atmospheric experience through audio and visual design.
Copyright: 2025 Sync or Sink – Developed by “Low Effort Interactive” (Arjun Bhogal, Finn Helm, Felix Lippert, Klemens Meyer, Victor Petro, Dejan Zeljko)
Development Process
The team followed an iterative development process using Scrum. Students took on various roles—game design, programming, audio, and UI/UX. Throughout the semester, they documented their progress and engaged in regular feedback sessions with lecturers and fellow students. User-centred design and a consistent audiovisual style were key focuses throughout the development process.
Outcomes
The result is a tension-filled cooperative experience with two completely separated play areas, where players must rely solely on walkie-talkie communication to progress. The game combines technical problem-solving with handling stress and collaboration. Sync or Sink is available on Steam and includes a “Friends Pass” allowing two players to experience the game together even if only one owns it.
Try "Sync or Sink" on the video game distribution platform Steam.
Copyright: 2025 Sync or Sink – Developed by “Low Effort Interactive” (Arjun Bhogal, Finn Helm, Felix Lippert, Klemens Meyer, Victor Petro, Dejan Zeljko)
