Tasman Ocean Themes Done Right
Table of contents
1. Field research: talking with coastal locals
Before a single pixel was drawn we packed lunch, hopped in the van, and visited Ōhope, Kaikōura, and Raglan. We asked fisherfolk, surfers, and lifeguards what the ocean feels like at dawn, midday, and dusk. Their answers shaped everything. “It’s the hiss of an incoming wave and a damp breeze at your neck” sounded more poetic than anything we could invent.
We recorded ambient audio, sketched sail silhouettes, and drank too much thermos coffee. Crucially, we listened. The biggest lesson: the ocean is never just blue. It’s a thousand shifting greens, greys, and glimmers.
2. Choosing a palette that smells like salt spray
Our palette names—tasman-surge, pounamu-fern, hokitika-sand—aren’t marketing fluff. They’re our literal colour references pulled from photos we took. Each symbol, card, and button references a real object: kelp, rope, gull feathers. We keep the saturation honest to avoid cartoon vibes that cheapen the mood.
I still have polaroids pinned above my monitor. Whenever we add a new bonus icon, I glance up to make sure the hue belongs in that Tasman dawn shot. It’s a gut check that keeps us grounded.
3. Sound design without slot-machine clichés
Audio might be the most recognisable social casino tell. We ditched the ding-ding and replaced it with subtle cues: the clink of shells, creak of a jetty, a muffled cheer from distant boats. When you trigger a bonus, a lone pūtātara horn (recorded by Aunty Mere in Whakatāne) rings softly. It feels celebratory without yelling in your ears.
We mix everything under -16 LUFS to keep the experience calm. If you crank it, it still feels immersive, not abrasive.
4. Storytelling through events, not dollars
Because no real money is involved, our narrative relies on community goals. Weekly events revolve around ocean clean-ups, whale spotting, or kai prep. Players unlock shared story beats instead of jackpots. It turns every spin into contribution rather than extraction.
Case in point: last month’s “Tern Tango” event asked players to collect driftwood icons. When the community hit the target we published a short story about a rescued tern colony, written by Ari. Collective joy levels skyrocketed.
5. Accessibility passes and colour-safe gradients
Ocean palettes risk low contrast, so we run every gradient through WCAG 2.2 AA checks. We also provide a colour-safe toggle that boosts contrast for players with low vision. Animations stay below 3 Hz to avoid vestibular triggers. That means gentle sway, not strobe.
By focusing on accessibility we make sure every Kiwi can enjoy the Tasman vibe regardless of screen or eyesight. It’s about manaakitanga in design form.