iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 31/01/2026

Rewatching Halt and Catch Fire again to take my mind off things for a while. Forgot what a great show it is and especially for all of us GenXers growing up in the 80s!

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2026

And this analysis in the comments is so spot on. I really wonder where things will go from here. All I can think of is the amazing energy back when all this started like 10 years ago. Why are we here now and where did that magic go. 😞

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 27/12/2025

Deep thoughts on equipment upgrades🐈

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 31/10/2025

The head of PR would like to inform you that his human worker is currently busy with a new freelance project and that there will likely be fewer updates for a while on Zotbox the cool and amazing Minecraft inspired VR sandbox! 😺 #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames

064

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 28/09/2025

A few screenshots of my own new block textures that I described in the previous post. My programmer are style at work! I am still following a color palette similar to vanilla Minecraft though because that is classic. 🎨😎 #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames

Screenshot of my own block textures that are 32 pixel. So far Dirt, Grass, Stone, Sand!

0103

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 25/09/2025

So finally I am working on my own set of block textures and like programmer art there is also such a thing as programmer art style! Yes I am attempting to develop my own art style or aesthetic. Here is an example of the side of the grass block. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames

A grass block side texture that is trying to keep the 16 bit 32 pixel per meter look while taking advantage of a 32 bit texture at 64 pixels per meter

1102

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 24/09/2025

@stevenlevy.bsky.social This was a huge inspiration to me during high school as a nerdy computer kid in the 80s. Thank you for writing it!

Picture of the book Hackers: Heroes of the computer revolution

130

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 17/09/2025

What could be hiding in the grass? A giant spider waiting to shoot it’s venom in your direction or maybe an undead skeleton torso crawling toward the sound of your footsteps? A lush environment is crucial for immersion and suspense! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames

182

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 16/09/2025

A night time shot. The grass blocks interact with the block lighting so they cast some occlusion like the rocks but less. I am also using a position based deterministic hash to randomly size them. Once i have block state and chunk palettes I probably with use state to control stuff that grows.

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 16/09/2025

Here are some pictures of some grass. Yes I am still working on grass! I have my block models working now and this is simple cross plane grass vs a detail model for larger plants. It even looks nice in VR in a retro way. Making them move next. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames

1121

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 11/09/2025

Was poking around my reddit account which I have not been into for a very long time. In the downvote history was Palmer's post on r/oculus 12 years ago when they sold out to Facebook! I doubt there will be much VR news next week at Meta Connect. Enjoy! #vr #metaquest

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 08/09/2025

This is the starting area of the Lost Loot test map. Hopefully it adds some context to the videos. Really can't wait to get to the stage of generating random shipwrecks, treasure, and sea creatures - including sharks! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames #cozygames #rpg #gameart

0144

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 07/09/2025

A reasonably dense scene of detail models (trees, plants, rocks etc.) running on Quest2 without crushing the GPU! These also have physics and block based AO. Next up is shader based vertex displacement. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames #cozygames #rpg #gameart

1134

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 06/09/2025

I finally have runtime texture atlases working for the blocks in addition to the details. Check out these atlases! Still using vanilla Minecraft blocks for testing though - I need to spend more time on art! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame #adventuregames #cozygames #rpg #gameart

096

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 04/09/2025

For the curious here is what the chunk generation looks like. Each chunk is 16x16x16 and the map is 3 chunks vertically. Each block is .5m so the chunk is 8m on a side. This is twice the resolution of Minecraft and is a good size in VR not too big or small. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

0104

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 02/09/2025

Here is the view in Quest 2 running smoothly. Before this would just crushed the GPU. More work to do though. I need to get the block based lighting tied back in and work on update optimizations. The original details are going to transition to dynamic details where separate models are required.

Similar view in Quest 2 which now runs smoothly. Before this just crushed the GPU.

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 02/09/2025

I have a basic texture atlas being generated at runtime from the details defined in a region and it's biomes. These are the textures pulled directly from the detail models I make in Blockbench! I could have different atlases over chunks since the SRP batcher would still batch them.

A basic texture atlas generated at runtime for the detail models

100

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 02/09/2025

So the detail layers are working well. I have them generated by chunk and the SRP batcher is just batching all the chunks/layers together - blocks, detail, water etc. The SRP batcher has less work to do reducing 233 draw calls down to 10 vs 1600 before! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

Scene with lots of trees, rocks, grass etc. meshed together by chunk

SRP Batcher batching all the chunks/layers - blocks, details, water etc.

1123

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 29/08/2025

Testing out generating detail layers that combine into a single mesh for each chunk. Relying on SRP batching more for combining chunks/layers vs individual detail models. Much more grass here with Quest 2 at 120% render scale. Looks promising! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

View of the island with a lot more grass!

074

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 26/08/2025

Another reminder for all Unity devs out there – switch to Visual Studio Code now! It's a fantastic IDE with full Unity support and is a dream to work with. It’s just cleaner, simpler, and has a more streamlined workflow than Visual Studio. I will never go back! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

182

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 18/08/2025

Here's an example of the SRP Batcher in action with the frame debugger showing 1649 draw calls being reduced to 53. But I am pushing the limits of the Quest 2 here with what is going on. The triangle count can probably be pushed higher here to around 500k or so depending on shader complexity.

Frame debugger showing 1649 draw calls being reduced to 53 via srp batcher

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 17/08/2025

Here is a nice sunset walk with some test plants using the alpha clipping option in the detail models! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

1125

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 16/08/2025

My second attempt at grass. I think it needs to be a little thicker and larger. It's supposed to be a clump of tall grasses. Eventually there will be various grass blocks with variation and the ground won't be so uniform. These will also have some different plants to give some variety.

The second attempt at lame programmer art grass

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 16/08/2025

This first test grass is terrible but so excited how much better it makes the islands look. The detail model AO really makes it work. I am excited to try some more interesting plants next. I want to make a better three angled quad grass and then try a flower. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

Lame programmer grass art in the daytime

1115

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 16/08/2025

I always seem to be grappling with performance! I set up the alpha clipping option in my shaders but Quest just does not handle clip() well. Far away (left) is ok but close up (right) with lots of pixels spikes the GPU. My X quad test grass isn't too bad! #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

Testing transparency with lame programmer art grass. Far away view.

Testing transparency with lame programmer art grass. Close up view.

195

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 14/08/2025

Here are some basic water effects that I ported over from the original Lost Loot. Surface splashes and bubbles appear when the player or items move. There are also particles drifting in the water which are a little hard to see but look nice in VR. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

1295

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 13/08/2025

Really liking this reef art here on the Vintage Story update. I desperately want to work on my own coral blocks and detail models! Too many directions to work on at once when you are alone. Although I will go towards a brighter more tropical feeling palette. www.vintagestory.at/blog.html/ne...

Reef from Vintage Story with coral and a fish

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 09/08/2025

A few photos for a relaxing Saturday morning!

Merck forest Rupert Vermont looking down Old Town road.

Merck forest Rupert Vermont looking out from the farm area

Merck forest Rupert Vermont square bailer and shed

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 23/06/2025

So just watched the Minecraft movie again on Max! Lots of people dismiss this movie but I love it and my kids love it. Jack Black and Jason Momoa are the lifeblood in this epic story. It's really just goofy and hilarious tickling all the itches for Minecraft fans. I want to live in the Overworld!

Minecraft movie poster with Steve and Garret holding weapons and Dennis and a creeper in the background

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 22/06/2025

An adventure game cannot exist without torches! While working on the inventory and container system, I created a few test items—including a torch—which led to a deep dive into dynamic lighting. #vr #metaquest #unity3d #indiegame

1152

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 01/06/2025

Here are the basic options in Zotbox for smooth/dash movement and smooth/snap turning. This follows the same controls as HLA which I really like and consider a standard. There is sprinting, jumping, crouching, and left vs right hand. More to come! #vr #quest #unity3d #indiegame #screenshotsaturday

181

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 07/02/2025

So my son wanted and saved up for a 3D printer. This thing has been way cooler and easier to work with than I imagined. We have been learning about fdm printing and making all kinds of things. My first print was this cool dragon bookmark!

110

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 26/01/2025

And for those tech artists out there this is what the sky dome texture looks like now compared to my previous post. I ended up building a custom gradient tool to make all the proper gradients.

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 26/01/2025

Another shot with some palms in the distance. Also the menu!

100

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 26/01/2025

A Zotbox sunset! The basic day/night cycle is finished. I really want to work on some Minecraft style clouds and do some weather effects but need to move on to more important things. This just makes me want to implement some fishing mechanics.🐟🎣🌴⛱️😎 #screenshotsaturday #vr #quest #unity3d #indiegame

161

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 25/01/2025

Here at Black Mesa furry assistants have been introduced to increase the productivity of the scientists and engineers!

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 23/01/2025

A few images of the underwater lighting as I work on the day/night cycle for Zotbox. These are during the day at three depth levels. The ocean test biome I have going makes large seagrass at the lower areas which are about as tall as a person. There is also a shot showing the headlamp light.

Underwater lighting in the shallow depth. Light turquoise blue.

Underwater lighting in mid depth. Moderate blue with tall seagrass.

Underwater lighting in mid depth. Moderate blue with tall seagrass. Lit with headlamp on.

Underwater lighting in far depth. Very dark blue.

060

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2025

And this is what my sky dome texture is looking like right now.

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2025

And the night screenshots! Notice the directional moonlight tinting the palm tree trunk. The images don't really do it justice. It looks really nice in VR.

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2025

Afternoon screenshots of the Zotbox day/night cycle. Still working on the sunset/sunrise but the basics are there! #vr #quest #unity3d #indiegame

140

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2025

A few images showing the tunnel with the hole to the surface - day, night, and night with the flashlight on.

100

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 21/01/2025

Some furry cuteness to ease the stress as we all participate in a communal black mirror episode for at least the next four years!

020

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 15/01/2025

Made a batch so here are some pictures to go with the recipe. I add green onion and garlic to the dipping sauce!

000

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 11/01/2025

Block based global illumination in Zotbox! Similar to the vanilla Minecraft approach but see how the detail objects like the rocks and trees are also lit correctly. This is a combination of the GI and the detail objects ‘occupying’ blocks. #screenshotsaturday #vr #quest #unity3d #indiegame

041

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 10/01/2025

With Zuck's announcement this week I thought this VR history gem should make another appearance!

010

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 05/01/2025

For anyone who wants a good dumpling/dipping sauce recipe. This is from my son's 3rd grade class cookbook. I do chicken instead of pork. Make a batch and heat them up for meals during the week. 🥟🍜🥢

230

Michael Schenck @mike.pixelatedramblings.com · 14/12/2024

I’ve been working on the lighting system for Zotbox, and here’s a sneak peek of the block-based ambient occlusion applied to the blocks and detail models including the blocks the detail models 'occupy'! #screenshotsaturday #vr #quest #unity3d #indiegame inspired by #minecraft and #hytale

0142