by Annie | Oct 18, 2010 | Game Design
Oh no! The clone factory has gone crazy, and the clones are becoming aggressive. Take a helicopter to the factory and shut it down as quickly as possible. Use colored lights to guide you through the various rooms of the factory, and shoot different colored panels to shut down the main conveyor belts. Then, test your memory by inputting a series of color-based codes to shut down power to the entire factory. Think you’re up for the challenge? The final level will be done in a few short weeks. In the meantime, here’s a look at the level overview and...
![UDK: A Work in Progress]()
by Annie | Oct 8, 2010 | Game Design
Incredibly busy is an understatement these days. Lots of big projects, not so much time. One of said projects is a slice of a single player level with a puzzle and boss fight. Below is a sneak peek at the puzzle element of my level. Of course, you’ll have to imagine the walls, ceilings, and all the pretty things I’ll add later. This is the main assembly line area of my factory-themed level. You will enter from the bottom level. You will need to activate two triggers in succession, indicated by different colored lights that come on at different times. The second trigger will activate the elevator, which will take you to the top floor. There, you will have a similar task but with six triggers this time. The last trigger will stop the assembly line, cut off all the lights in the factory, attach a light to you (essentially a flashlight), and activate a trigger that will allow you to summon a platform that will lead you to the final boss fight. In the dark. Just you and your flashlight. Stay tuned for the final version, coming...
by Annie | Sep 23, 2010 | Game Design
Capture the flag. Such a straightforward game, yet with infinite possibilities. Some of the most memorable CTF maps have been incredibly simple – two bases connected by a winding road. Other maps include transporters, secret passageways, and flying vehicles. Over the past couple of weeks, we were tasked to work in pairs to create our own CTF levels using the Unreal Engine. Several brainstorming sessions in, my partner Chris and I decided on a rooftop CTF level featuring a variety of pathways on multiple levels. Take a...
by Annie | Sep 8, 2010 | Game Design
Deathmatch. Sounds scary, eh? That’s because it is. But it’s also fun. Deathmatch levels are ones in which you go in to shoot and kill other players with the goal of achieving the most kills and/or being the last one standing. Of course, there are also navigation challenges and stealth skills to consider, adding to the fun of the level. My deathmatch level is aptly named “Cubic Clash.” As you might have guessed, the shape of the level is a cube. Three floors high with roughly nine square rooms on each level. Take a...
by Annie | Aug 31, 2010 | Game Design
Creating a level from scratch can be fun. You get to decide where to put different obstacles, how to guide players, and when to provide rewards. Creating a level using unfamiliar technology, however, can be downright intimidating. Recently, we started using UDK (Unreal Development Kit), a game engine created by Epic Games that provided the basis for games like Gears of War, Bioshock, and Mass Effect. Luckily, with a manageable assignment and supportive instructors, our first experience in the UDK pool was more of a gentle splash rather than an embarrassing and painful belly flop. When working in UDK, you can build through a variety a views: top, side, front, and perspective. This is all to ensure that the assets are integrated seamlessly, providing total gameplay immersion. Our assignment was simple: create two rooms linked by two corridors. Here are a few screenshots from the level I created: Hopefully, with more practice, I’ll soon be able to create entire cities in UDK. Stay...
