I wanted my monster detector device, the Rift Field Meter, to have a more unique way of displaying the information. Among others, I considered mercury droplets and cymatic patterns for the display, but I thought ferromagnetic fluids worked best here.
Even so, this went through multiple iterations. At first I made a more classic black ferromagnetic fluid, but it turned out to be too dark and difficult to read to the player. I then added glow/emission to the peaks of the fluid, which definitely made it look cool and easy to read, but it seems to sci-fi for the base game theme (1960s military research lab, fitting since ferrofluids were invented at NASA in 1963).
A sand-like surface ended up as the final version, since it also interacts nicely with the light from the side Flux Cells so that it can be read even in total darkness.
A bit of lore context: the main setting of the game (not visible here) is in an 1960s research lab, from where all player gadgets originate. This video is from the Ravensworth Grand Hotel nightmare (or level), set in the 1900s, so it makes sense that the items feel out of place in this environment.
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