Introduction
Don’t Wake My Pet: Draw the Symbols is a mobile-first, portrait-mode game built for Meta Horizon Worlds, where gesture drawing is the core interaction rather than a secondary mechanic.
Players take on the role of a Sleep Guardian, protecting a peacefully sleeping pet by drawing symbols shown on descending spiders before they reach the pet. The premise is calm and cosy on the surface, but the gameplay quickly becomes intense, demanding speed, precision, and mastery.
Designed from the start for long-term progression and repeat play, the game blends intuitive one-finger input with deep systems: unlockable pets and maps, escalating enemy complexity, co-op play, and live seasonal content. The result is an experience that is instantly understandable, emotionally engaging, and mechanically demanding over time.
The Challenge
Our objectives for Don’t Wake My Pet were ambitious and tightly constrained:
- Make gesture drawing the primary, skill-based mechanic on mobile.
- Ensure symbol recognition feels instant, fair, and tactile, even at high speeds.
- Design a game that is cosy and emotionally warm, without being shallow.
- Build long-term progression without overwhelming new players.
- Balance difficulty across solo and 2-player co-op.
- Deliver everything in portrait mode, optimised for mobile ergonomics.
Solution
We centred the entire experience around a custom input system and layered progression on top of it, ensuring every system reinforced mastery and return play.
Core Gameplay & Gesture System
- Custom Real-Time Symbol Recognition
We implemented a custom version of the $1 Unistroke Recognizer, fully rewritten in TypeScript for the Horizon Worlds engine. This enables ultra-fast, reliable, real-time gesture detection directly on the mobile screen. - Symbol-Driven Combat Loop
Players draw symbols to repel spiders before they reach the pet:- 3 spider types with increasing HP
- 8 unique symbols, from simple shapes to complex gestures
- Boss encounters concluding each phase
- Constantly increasing spawn rate and movement speed
Progression & Retention Systems
- Unlockable Content
- 12 playable pets (2 free, 10 unlockable via in-game currency)
- 12 unique maps, each with its own atmosphere and music
- Meta Progression
- Quests and daily coin rewards
- Leaderboards for competitive comparison
- Limited-time seasonal modes, including a fully featured Christmas Event
Solo & Co-Op Design
- Flexible Play Modes
The game supports both solo play and fast-paced 2-player co-op.
In co-op, difficulty scales with faster starting speeds and more frequent spawns, encouraging coordination and shared focus.
Mobile-First Polish
- Portrait-Optimised UI & Camera
- Tap + Gesture Input
- Haptic Feedback reinforcing successful actions
- All visuals, animations, sound effects, and music were designed to support clarity and emotional tone in vertical play.
Results
Player & Community Response
- Strong positive feedback on gesture responsiveness and “tactile” feel.
- Players highlighting the balance between cosiness and intensity.
- Community recognition for symbol recognition quality and overall polish.
Technical Wins
- Reliable real-time gesture detection at extreme speeds.
- Stable performance in both solo and co-op sessions.
- A reusable gesture-recognition framework for future projects.
Why It Matters
Don’t Wake My Pet demonstrates Byten21’s ability to:
- Build gesture-first gameplay systems that feel native to mobile.
- Combine emotional design with demanding, skill-based mechanics.
- Design for long-term engagement, not just short sessions.
- Push platform input boundaries while maintaining performance and polish.
About Byten21
Byten21 is a London-based creative production studio building games and interactive experiences on UGC platforms including Meta Horizon Worlds, Roblox, TikTok, and Snapchat.
We specialise in mobile-first design, custom gameplay systems, and progression-driven social experiences built for modern interactive platforms.
Looking to build a mobile-first game or interactive experience on UGC platforms?
Let’s talk.