It was a time when browser-based strategy games were on the rise, but the technical possibilities within a browser were still quite limited compared to today. We wanted to give players a beautiful interface with detailed, 3D-rendered isometric elements. I worked on this project around 2011–2012, during the peak of web-based town-building and battle games. I used Google SketchUp, a surprisingly capable 3D tool for its time, to explore how far I could push it for game asset creation.

My focus was on modelling stylised buildings, applying textures, and rendering them from fixed isometric angles to suit the constraints of browser-based gameplay. I used basic VRay for rendering and worked entirely within the vanilla version of SketchUp, pushing its internal texture editing tools to their limits. It was my first time using 3D software, and as a UI designer, I found the process both fun and surprisingly rewarding.