ETERNAL MACHINATION

2023 to 2024

capstone project (MS)

Design Process

Designed immersive levels blending gameplay mechanics with environmental storytelling.
Developed innovative shadow-based mechanics for combat and traversal.
Created visually striking VFX using Niagara systems (e.g., shadow trails, AOE effects).
Directed cohesive aesthetics aligning character design with world-building.
Integrated narrative elements organically into gameplay through environmental design.
Programmed custom systems enhancing player experience (portals, targeting systems).

Environmental Narrative:
- Designed immersive levels that integrate storytelling into the environment.
  - Example: The First Sanctum reflects the heavenly domain of Archons through floating rococo-inspired architecture, vibrant flora, and cascading waterfalls.
  - Contrast: Eldritch Marshes showcase desolation with skeletal ruins, polluted rivers, and industrial waste, emphasizing humanity's destructive impact.
- Embedded lore into landmarks like the Grand Scales of Cosmic Balance and skeletal ruins, enhancing player immersion.
Level Structure:
- Created semi-open traversal paths that balance exploration and linear progression.
- Developed Archonic Portal Gates to reduce traversal time while maintaining immersion by visually previewing connected destinations.
Interactive Points of Interest (POIs):
- Integrated environmental puzzles, lore chunks, and interactive objects to reward exploration.

Character-Centric VFX:
- Created dynamic particle effects for Seethe’s hair using Niagara ribbon emitters, simulating flowing shadows.
- Designed shadow trails for movement and attacks to emphasize Seethe’s chaotic nature.
Environmental VFX:
- Developed shaders for water in Eldritch Marshes using Gerstner wave functions to simulate poisonous swamp water.
- Implemented cel-shading and outline shaders for objects in the First Sanctum to achieve a cohesive fantasy art style.
Boss Fight VFX:
- Created effects like earthquake ground splits, reticle targeting, and laser beams during boss fights using Niagara systems.

Character Design:
- Helped conceptualize Seethe in-game as an ambiguous, non-human entity with chains symbolizing imprisonment and shadow-infused armor reflecting their chaotic nature.
  - Details: Flowing shadow hair, cape physics using Chaos Cloth system, and chained sword (Sepulchre) connecting Seethe to their imprisonment.
World-Building:
- Directed visual themes for levels:
  - First Sanctum: Heavenly ambiance with rococo-inspired architecture.
  - Eldritch Marshes: Post-apocalyptic wasteland with skeletal structures.

Custom Systems Development:
- Implemented gameplay systems such as dynamic portals, combat mechanics (light/heavy attacks), special abilities like shadow waves, and interactive UI elements (e.g., health bars, compass systems).
AI Integration:
- Collaborated on enemy AI design in the levels to create challenging encounters that adapt to player strategies.

HUD Elements:
- Designed intuitive HUD elements like health bars, focus meters, compass systems, and task indicators that dynamically update based on player actions.
Tutorial Integration:
- Implemented Archollia as a guiding voice during onboarding sequences with voice acting narrating mechanics alongside visual demonstrations.

Sprint-Based Development:
- Participated in bi-weekly sprint planning to set achievable goals and adapt the roadmap based on progress and feedback.
- Conducted retrospectives at the end of each sprint to evaluate successes, identify bottlenecks, and refine workflows.
  - Example: After Sprint 3, feedback from playtests revealed that onboarding was unclear. This led to the introduction of Archollia as a narrator for tutorial guidance.
- Collaborated with team members to adjust scope dynamically, ensuring features like combat fluidity and environmental storytelling were prioritized.
Playtesting Feedback Integration:
- Organized regular playtests with peers and external testers to gather insights on mechanics, level design, and onboarding clarity.
  - Example: Early playtests showed players struggled with traversal between islands in the First Sanctum. This led to the implementation of Archonic Portal Gates for faster navigation.
- Iterated on combat mechanics based on feedback about responsiveness and visual clarity, refining animations and attack timing for better player feedback.

Collaborative World-Building:
- Worked closely with narrative designers to align environmental storytelling with lore.
  - Example: Designed skeletal ruins in the Eldritch Marshes to visually communicate the Guardian Beast’s death and humanity’s exploitation of resources.
Prototyping & Iteration:
- Developed early prototypes for shadow-based mechanics (e.g., Shadow-Spear Movement) using placeholder assets to test functionality before integrating final animations and VFX.
- Iteratively improved shaders and VFX through multiple passes based on team feedback:
  - Initial water shader lacked depth; later iterations introduced Gerstner wave functions and reflective layers for a more poisonous appearance.
Cross-Discipline Collaboration:
- Coordinated with animators, audio engineers, and UI artists to ensure seamless integration of assets into gameplay systems.
  - Example: Worked with animators to synchronize Seethe’s attack animations with Niagara particle effects for shadow trails.

What Worked Well:
- Strong team communication ensured alignment across disciplines despite a large number of external contributors.
- Iterative design processes allowed rapid prototyping and refinement based on feedback.
Challenges Faced:
- Overscoping risks required constant prioritization; some features like additional combat styles had to be cut for time.
- External member availability occasionally delayed asset delivery, but proactive task reallocation mitigated major disruptions.
Lessons Learned:
- Early playtesting is invaluable for identifying usability issues (e.g., unclear onboarding). Starting this process sooner could have saved time on rework later.
- Maintaining a flexible roadmap allowed the team to adapt effectively to unforeseen challenges while delivering a polished experience.