Iron Harvest

Project Information

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Researching and presenting proposed features

- Creating concepts and proposals for new features

- Documenting design decisions in the in-house wiki

Work Process

Before approaching a new problem, I break it down into smaller chunks. Afterwards, I discuss my ideas with my colleagues to get feedback for further iteration.

Concepts and Documentation

To develop concepts and then present them to my team, I use flowcharts and dependency-diagrams.

Concept Mock-ups

I use Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, and Google Tables to create visual mock-ups to better convey my ideas.

Maze Slaughter

Project Information

ABOUT:

Maze Slaughter is a first-person roguelike shooter, inspired by the Doom-series.

TIME ON THE PROJECT: 10 months (2019-2020)

STUDIO: Giant Gun Games

TEAM SIZE: 14

TECHNOLOGY: Unreal Engine 4

Defining the Core

Before creating game design concepts, in this case a basis needed to be created to inform these decisions. I translated my ideas about the game into accessible graphics to present to the team.

Simplification and Presentation

After completing research tasks, I break down my findings in an accessible manner and then present solutions on that basis.

 Achievements and Results

 Eagles vs Rattlers

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Translating a research set-up into game mechanics

- Adapting an existing research design into Unreal Engine

- Scripting logic with Unreal 4’s blueprints

- Asset creation using Adobe Illustrator

Logic and Blueprints

To implement the gameplay logic, as well as everything required to generate, track, and measure data, I utilized Unreal’s blueprints in this project.

Prototyping

To allow for easy iteration, I prototype important gameplay systems. For example, I utilize a pen & paper prototype to quickly identify design flaws and change the gameloop accordingly. Usually only after having examined my concepts through these inexpensive means, i begin translating them into the engine.

Custom Assets

To illustrate the game I used both preexisting, as well as custom made assets. To create visuals (like those shown below), I utilized Adobe Illustrator and then relied on Unreal materials to give them the right color and properties.

 The Blue Father

Project Information

TECHNOLOGY: REDkit (Modding tool for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings; Maya 2018)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Creation of a narrative outline for story, characters and dialogues

- Scripting logic and events

- Staging scenes, dialogues and character interactions

- Creating prototypical visuals to make a front to back walkthrough possible

Conception/Ideation

Before investing time and resources into executing concepts in the engine, I take notes about my characters, world, and themes on paper.

For narrative tasks, I plan the different beats of my story and what spatial context to put them in beforehand.

Planning Characters and Story

After having developed my ideas sufficiently on paper, I create diagrams to get an overview of my story. On this basis, I design more complicated systems, like a way to pace my story-beats.

Creating the Environment

In the next step, I proceede to create the rest of the environment based on my plans. Afterwards, I begin to fill my interior of the block-out with assets, to simulate how a finished product would work.

Scripting the Logic

To implement the logic for all my previously defined story-beats, I used REDkit’s scripting tool in this case. I used the tool to define the effects of all dialogue options and adjusted the desired specifics of combat encounters.

Staging Dialogue

To write and implement all dialogue-options I used another of REDkit’s scripting tools. It also allowed me to direct the look of my scenes, as well as their timing.