Vantastic Ghost Shell

In Bungie’s video game Destiny 2, your character – a “Guardian” – is accompanied by a robot companion known as a Ghost1. The look of a Ghost, its “shell”, defaults as a geometric pyramidal design but unique shapes like clams and inflatable inner tubes. In 2021, as part of Bungie’s 30th anniversary, a special design2 was released that was based off of the Plymouth Voyager minivan.

The in-game screen for the Vantastic Shell
The ghost shell as seen in-game, captured on PS4.

I was immediately captivated by the design and decided I must have one of my own, so I used what I know best: paper!

Ghosts really consist of two parts: the ghost, or the ping-pong sized robot ball; and the shell, the outer decorative structure. I decided early on to follow the same idea by keeping the ghost ball separate from the outer shell. I worked on the construction of both simultaneously, using a ping pong ball as a size reference for scale.

Printed flat view of the simpler model
The printed model after being assembled
To get a basic idea of the shape and size, I started with a print-and-cut version without any articulation and only a basic internal frame.

Having a separate internal ball meant I needed to be able to open the outer shell to remove it from the “van” – so I went back to Physics 101 and tested out making a hinge for the back “door” of the van. This also allowed the back to remain open when repositioning.

One of the test hinges
Another test hinge, attached to one of the initial iterations to test its function
Math about cones for some part
Two iterations, one white and one multicolor
Simple printed iterations early on
Somewhat assembled simple white iteration
A more complex plain white iteration with visible structure for engine connection
Early printed iteration with parts labeled
More multicolor iterations with part of a ghost iteration
One of the early multicolored test structures
More math, this time for hinges
A small compilation of sketches and iterations during the design process

The final design was cut out of 80lb cardstock with a total of roughly 100 pieces (not including lamination).

The final red Vantastic Shell with the ghost in the driver's seat
Parked red Vantastic Shell with the back door open and ghost sitting outside
Final completed red Vantastic Shell
Short video showing the functional engine rotation on the model
More articulation with the engines which uses a paper “rod” for connection
  1. Destiny 2 (c) Bungie 2024 ↩︎
  2. “Voyager” design by Ian Galvin 2021 ↩︎