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THE MERC
Introduction
Specifications
I wanted to challenge myself and make a narrative design piece with the design, scripting and sequences to tell the story. I limited myself with assets on the Unreal Marketsplace and build the story around it.
Time Spent: 8 Weeks half-time
Engine: Unreal Engine 5.2
References: Dead space, Half-life
Template: By Max forsberg, and improved by me
Assets: Taken from unreal marketplace
PROJECT SUMMARY
OVERVIEW
The Mission
In this narrative level, you play as a hired mercenary in a sci-fi inspired universe.
Your mission is to infiltrate a syndicate science base on an off-world planet, reach the ancient portal hidden in the depths of the base, and shut down the alien portal rumored to have the power to change the world. However, something inexplicable happens close to your arrival, and your ship crashes just before landing. As the sole survivor, you must complete the mission alone at any cost and uncover what's really going on in the laboratory, ultimately stopping the syndicate from completing their objective with the portal.
OVERVIEW
My Goal
My goal was to challange my self and try to do a enviromental story telling project. I mainly used assets from the marketplace and adapted my story to that limit. Build up events and cinematic views to tell the story and to get the player hooked all the way through without combat engegaments from the start.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
PRE PRODUCTION
ROUGH SKETCH
I began by sketching by hand to get an overview of what I wanted. I made a lot of changes on the fly after numerous playtests. I iterated everything from scale to phases and events.
INSPIRATION
I drew inspiration from games like Dead Space and Half-Life when it came to gameplay and settings. When it came to the story, i took inspirations from a previosly made piece made by me. I expanded upon it, redesigned areas, added more content and rebuild the story.
PAPER PLANNING
I created a flowchart to outline the acts and what should be happening in each one. The flowchart helped me maintain better control and provided an overview of the level's flow.
The final version of my project deviated slightly from the initial draft of the flowchart, but it gave me a good indication of the workflow and enabled easy iteration on the go.
BLOCKOUT TO ALPHA
BLOCKOUT
I began with a blockout and developed the phases and events as I progressed. My vision was to create an environmental experience with a deep story conveyed through worldbuilding. I did a lot of playtest to get the scale, flow and content right. Once I had established the length and a suitable scale, I proceeded to populate the world with assets.
1/4
OVERVIEW
1/4
ENTRENCE
1/4
LABORATORY
TEAMWORK
GLITCH-EFFECT
I teamed up with Atlas Gonzales (VFX-Artist) to use a glitch effect in the game, that i wanted to have in the end when the portal activated. We worked and shared our progress through github.
GAMEPLAY
COMBAT
I wanted to create a mixture of combat encounters and get the player to choose how and when to engage. So the player had different kinds of engagement and it feelt rewarding to the player to complete
COLOURS & LIGHTS
To guide the player through the level I used colours and lights. I mainly used red colours for vents and orange for pickups. For lights I used red as static and orange as moveable to make it stick out and add a contrast from the surrounding colours.
INTERACTIBLES
Through out my level i added different kind of interactbles to get the player more involved to explore and advance futher into the level.
WALK-THROUGH
ACT 1
SYNOPSIS
Act 1 is a introduction and world building act. It starts with and introduction sequence with the mission brief. The player crash on the floating island and has to explore the seemingly abandoned base. Slowly the player unreveal its not abandoned and get slowly into what could have caused the problem and what the base is used for.
ACT 1
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1. CRASH SITE
The goal here is to get players hooked imedetly to the story and get them intresting in the world, by useing sequences and world building.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
Introducing a key piece in the envorimental story telling, the flower.
2. UKNOWN HUMANOID
By introducing a uknown hostile enemy out of reach, i wanted to make the player cautious about the eviroment and a forshadowing for what to later come.
3. FLOWER NURSERY
I wanted to highlight the importance of the flower by enviromental storytelling showing the procces from nursery to the extracted liquid. Showing the scale of the industrial production of the flower.
4. LABORATORY
A science laboratory to show the importance and the meaning of the production line. Binding together what the player previousley have seen and giving a sense of the dedication and effort from the syndicate. By it beeing abonded with blood splatter skattered i wanted to give the impression of something terrbible happend fast and out of controll.
1/4
Act 2
SYNOPSIS
Act 2 starts of with a build up whats really going on in this facility, the player gets to explore a human experiment area and is introduced to the combat system for the first time. After exploring the human lab the player walks into a area of chambers filled with "zombies". Some of them have escaped and the player has to fight through the area. A cctv space is found and by looking at the screen a sequence plays, the player can se its more than zombies alive.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1. HUMAN EXPERIMENTS
Meaning of this area was to slowly reveal the dark secrets of this base.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
By having the bodies the same colour as the flowers, giving a narrative connection between them.
Player found its first weapon here, changeing the gameplay from a only exploration phase to a combat phase.
2. FIRST ENEMY ENCOUNTER
By having the doors slamed open and the first combat encountered is revealed. I wanted to give the player a memorible first encounter and a chooking reveal. Its a kill or be killed scenario, zombies kills on one hit.
3. INCUBATION CHAMBERS
By building on the narrative envorimetal storytelling i added chambers for the zombies to be hold in. Seeing them broken out the player could connect the dots that they are the reason and here is the source location why the base is in a abonded state and on high alert.
4. SPACE PORT WHAREHOUSE
Showing the scale and giving a explonation for the logistics. Also the first combat area for the player to choose when and how to engage the enemy.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
I wanted to change up the combat from the first two scenarios and get a varriation of engagements.
1/4
Act 3
SYNOPSIS
The final act, is when player engage with the Mamba syndicate for the first time. Watching down at the bridge a fight accure between the syndicate and zombies. Player choose to join in or wait for the outcome. After the bridge a big combat space is revealed, the syndicates last stand. The space is leading into a controll room, controlling the experiment on the ancient portal. Player have to try to shut the ancient portal down, but its to late. The portal goes in to max power and activates complety. The end.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1. THE BRIDGE
Till this moment the player have only encountered zombies. I wanted to show and introduce to the player that some of the syndicate is alive and holding this area. A fight between zombies and the syndicate is view on the bridge. I wanted to give the player a choise to engage in the fight between the syndicate and zombies, or choose to wait and take out the living faction.
2. POWER GENERATORS
First big combat area, player has a choise to stelth kill the first syndicate enemie and sneak around a bit to get a better engagement angle. My thought was to build up a area for their energy consomtent, and have it to be their last defense.
3. THE CONTROL ROOM
The player can finnaly see the ancient portal the syndicate is doing experiment on. Even tho the base has been overun by the zombies i wanted to give the expression of them still holding this expirment on by any means.
4. THE ANCIENT PORTAL
The level ends as it started in a cave with the same type of enviroment. The beam gun thats activateing the portal is fueled by the liquid from the flowers. The final puzzel piece is set, why the flower is so important and how greate the power is.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
A twist i revealed when the player try to destroy/shut it down. The portal gets fully activated and the same shimmering green light seen when the ship crashes is seen again.
1/4
WORLD BUILDING
BACKGROUND STORY
I made a background story to my level to easier have a plot to follow and guide to take inspiration from. It helped me alot to express my design. Here under you can read about some of the key backgrounds of the story
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
MAMBA SYNDICATE
The Offworld Syndicate is involved in black market trade of all kinds, including slave trade and illegal weapons.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
They control several planets on the outer rim and rule them with an iron fist. The leader of the syndicate is unknown. They are known for their ruthlessness and have access to unlimited resources from trading with other syndicates and outlaws.
THE MERCS
The Mercs are a faction of mercenaries, renowned for being the best and most expensive force that money can buy in the universe.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
They usually work for the main worlds and private companies that can afford to hire them.
PLANET ERAPATH
The planet is mostly unknown, one of the newly discovered planets far away from the main worlds, with no known civilizations. The Mamba Syndicate is known to have control of the planet and uses it for their secret bases, far away from harm from the main world.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
The landscape is comprised of floating islands, with the core mostly gas. The islands float over the core by unknown power.
THE SECRET LABORATORY
A laboratory build by the syndicate to do their hiddious experiments. They found the flowers on the planet and uses its stored power to do experiments on humans and also tinkering with the ancient portal.
1/4
ENVORIOMENTAL STORYTELLING
My level cirkels around three main envoriomental assets that is key to the story. They repeat and connect to eachother through out the whole level.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
FLOWERS
The blue flowers are a key element in this piece, recurring repeatedly throughout the story. They can be seen in the first act and later appear as a liquid. The entire narrative revolves around them.
HUMAN EXPERIMENT
The zombies are a byproduct of the flower liquid used on humans to transform them into a stronger uncontrolled version of a themselfs. Later, when the portal is activated by the syndicate, they gain more power and overthrow the syndicate in the base by breaking free from their confinement
ANCIENT PORTAL
The real reason the syndicate is on the floating island is the portal - an ancient alien gateway with the potential to change the world, allowing teleportation through time and space. They stumbled upon it by accident and conducted secret experiments, attempting to get it to work.
The flowers are the key to its power.
The flowers are the key to its power.
1/3
CLOSING THOUGHTS
REFLECTIONS
I really enjoyed the time I spent on this project. I had a blast decorating and creating a story and a universe surrounding it. However, it was also a challenging experience working on this piece. It took far longer than I expected, with some parts. Things I thought would go quickly took their time, and vice versa. I enjoyed my time spent on sequences throughout the experience, though it was a fast and rushed project for its scope.
If I were to do it again, I wouldn't have focused so much on decorations, and spent more on the combat experience and gameplay. The combat areas and gameplay didn't receive as much attention as they needed to shine. I was too focused on creating a narrative piece with environmental storytelling, so I lost sight of creating engaging combat spaces throughout the level. I also would have introduced combat earlier and included more content throughout the experience.
Howeever i am really happy how the map turned out from a narrative point and how much i learned and will take with me for future proejcts.
ISSUES
Through out my building phase i had a lot of issues. Becouse i used a lot of assets from the market place that isnt optimzed for a smooth gameplay experience beacuse of high resolution textures and lots of detailed meshs. I had to spend some fair bit of time to optimize the performance in form of force texture to lower resolution and change a lot of settings in the engine. Even that didnt solve everything. To solve this I choose to make my level in streams so i could controle how much that would be loaded in at any time to optimize the performance.
FULL PLAYTHROUGH
Video starts playing after 15 sec of introduction explainment.
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