Singaporean creates Instagram filter game that lets you laser down giant alien heads (which are you)

The dude abides and the dude creates ingenious Instagram filters that never fail to entertain. 

We’re talking about Eugene Soh, of course, Singapore’s first-ever custom Instagram filter creator and the 33-year-old man behind creative tech agency Dude Studios. Or you might know him better as the artist behind dozens of bizarre and amusing augmented reality filters on his Instagram account @dude.sg. 

Following national favourites like the “Huaty” (in which you can input your face onto $50 notes), the “Majulah” (which transforms everything into a patriotic fever dream) and more, Eugene has released Face Invaders 3D, his latest and greatest Instagram filter that is a mini game in itself. 

While Instagram filter games aren’t that new — surely everyone has already played with the Disney character filter or the Flappy Bird Insta game — Eugene’s handiwork might be the most impressive one out there right now. It’s a 3D space shooter that has you protecting Earth by shooting alien invaders who are basically giant heads. 

And who are these giant heads? Well, they’re you. 

Eugene explained that the entire experience utilises multiple aspects of the phone, including both front and rear cameras, the accelerometer, and facial recognition. If played using the front-facing camera, everyone (including the pilot) is you. If played using the rear lens, it becomes a mixed reality game, with the faces of anyone caught on camera as the aliens. 

The Rick and Morty inspiration is pretty obvious if you’re a fan of the Adult Swim series. The giant heads are in reference to the Cromulons from the show’s “Get Schwifty” episode, complete with their soundbites included in the filter game. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1fZ7Ap6ebs[/embed]

The game continues even after defeating the final boss, says Eugene, who recommends Android users to use the hands-free mode to record Instagram stories that can go on longer than the usual 15 seconds. 

So you know what to do — show ‘em what you got.

ilyas@asiaone.com