Francisco Santos | Dev Jorney
Astralon: Alien Assault
1 PLAYER ~3 to 5 MIN
Third-Person Solo Space Shooter Game
ROLE:
Solo Developer
TOOLS USED:
Unreal Engine
DURATION:
June 2024 - August 2024
GENRE:
Space Shooter, Third Person
GAME TRAILER
GAMEPLAY DESIGN CHOICES
Project
The development of this game was an ambitious and rewarding project that allowed me to delve deeper into game development. This journey was not just about creating a fun and engaging game but also about learning new skills and exploring my passion for game design.
Motivation and Inspiration
I embarked on this project to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate aspects of game development. The idea of a third-person space shooter captivated me because of its dynamic gameplay and the potential for creativity. The concept of battling enemy spaceships in a vast, open space environment provided the perfect canvas for experimenting with new ideas and mechanics.
Enemy's Combat Design Overview:
Chitinous Striker
Role: Mid-Range Combatant
Image from AI
Description: The Chitinous Striker is a formidable adversary designed to maintain a strategic distance from the player while engaging in a dynamic combat pattern. It is controlled by the Scytherons, an insectoid race known for their advanced organic armor and laser weaponry.
Behavior and Movement:
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Evasive Maneuvering: The Chitinous Striker will actively avoid direct confrontation by continuously moving in a circular pattern around the player. This movement ensures it remains at an optimal firing distance while making it harder for the player to target.
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Distance Management: Utilizing advanced sensors, the Chitinous Striker maintains a specific distance from the player, adjusting its speed and trajectory to keep the player within its optimal firing range.
Offensive Capabilities:
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Laser Blasts: Equipped with high-energy laser cannons, the Chitinous Striker can unleash precise and powerful laser blasts. These lasers are designed to force the player into evasive maneuvers.
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Predictive Firing: The Striker's targeting system includes predictive algorithms, allowing it to anticipate the player’s movements and adjust its firing pattern accordingly.
Defensive Mechanisms:
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Adaptive Shields: The Chitinous Striker is protected by adaptive energy shields that can absorb a certain amount of damage before depleting. These shields regenerate over time if the Striker avoids taking damage.
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Quick Burst Thrusters: To dodge incoming fire, the Striker can execute rapid, short-distance bursts in unpredictable directions, making it a challenging target.
Engagement Strategy:
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The Chitinous Striker’s primary strategy is to wear down the player through sustained, precise laser fire while avoiding direct hits.
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It will prioritize maintaining its distance and continuously repositioning to keep the player off balance.
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When under heavy fire, it will execute evasive maneuvers and temporarily retreat to allow its shields to regenerate.
Player Counter-Strategies:
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Predicting Movement Patterns: Players must study the Chitinous Striker's movement patterns to predict its path and land accurate shots.
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Close-Range Combat: Attempting to close the distance quickly can disrupt the Striker’s optimal range, forcing it into a less advantageous position.
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Burst Damage: Coordinated attacks that overwhelm the Striker’s shields can lead to rapid takedowns before it has a chance to recover.
Solarite Sentinel
Role: Close-Combat Combatant
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Pursuit Mode:
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The Solarite Sentinel actively seeks out the player, using advanced tracking algorithms to navigate obstacles and maintain pursuit.
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Its movement speed increases gradually over time, forcing the player to stay on the move.
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Activation Phase:
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Upon reaching a critical proximity to the player, the Solarite Sentinel enters an activation phase, signaled by an intense yellow glow.
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During this phase, the ship's speed decreases slightly, giving the player a brief window to react.
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Detonation Sequence:
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If the Solarite Sentinel remains within the critical proximity for a set duration, it initiates a countdown to detonation.
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The countdown is visually and audibly indicated, providing the player with a clear warning.
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The player can either attempt to destroy the Solarite Sentinel before detonation or maneuver to a safe distance.
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Destruction Outcome:
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Successful Destruction: If the player destroys the Solarite Sentinel before the countdown completes, the ship disintegrates harmlessly, dropping potential rewards.
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Failed Destruction: If the player fails to destroy the Solarite Sentinel, the detonation causes an area-of-effect explosion, dealing substantial damage within a defined blast radius.
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Player Strategies:
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Movement and Evasion: Players must constantly adjust their position to maintain a safe distance, using the environment to their advantage.
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Targeted Attacks: Focusing fire on the Solarite Sentinel's weak points can expedite its destruction, preventing the detonation sequence.
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Risk Management: Players need to balance the risk of staying close to attack versus the need to retreat and avoid the blast.
Balancing Considerations:
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The speed and health of the Solarite Sentinel should be tuned to provide a challenging yet fair encounter.
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The warning indicators for the detonation sequence should be clear and consistent, ensuring players have a reasonable chance to respond.
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Reward drops from successfully destroyed Solarite Sentinels can incentivize players to engage rather than always opting for evasion.
Description: The Solarite Sentinel is an enemy ship designed to engage players in a high-stakes chase. As a kamikaze unit, its primary objective is to close the distance with the player and detonate, causing significant damage. The player must employ strategic movement and precise attacks to avoid destruction.
Behavior and Abilities:
Image from AI
Solarite StarForger
Role: Enemy Spawner
Design Intent:
The Solarite StarForger is designed to maintain constant pressure on the player by deploying Solarite StarHunters at regular intervals. Its unique shape and behavior make it a high-priority target, compelling players to disrupt its spawning capabilities to avoid being overwhelmed.
Image from AI
Behavior and Mechanics:
Spawning Cycle:
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Activation: The Solarite StarForger activates once it enters the player’s vicinity, initiating its spawn sequence.
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Spawn Intervals: At set intervals, the Solarite StarForger releases a Solarite StarHunter, with visual and auditory cues indicating an impending spawn.
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Mobility: While stationary during the spawn sequence, the Solarite StarForger can relocate after a set number of spawns, forcing the player to adapt and hunt it down.
Strategic Considerations:
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Prioritization: Players must decide whether to focus on destroying the Solarite StarForger to stop the flow of Solarite StarHunters or to deal with the immediate threat of the kamikaze units.
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Resource Management: The spawner’s destruction yields high-value resources or power-ups, incentivizing players to take the risk of engaging it amidst other combat threats.
Solarite StarForger
3D Modeling
With Blender, where I have both developed and instructed numerous courses on modeling, sculpting, and animation, I embarked on the creation of a Minion Spawner for the game. With a clear vision inspired by a reference image, I swiftly brought the concept to life, resulting in the Solatite StarForger. Below is a video that showcases the model:
Early stages of development
Learning and Development
Technical Skills:
Game Engines: Through this project, I explored using advanced game engines, enhancing my knowledge of graphics rendering, physics simulations, and performance optimization.
Programming: I honed my programming skills, particularly in areas like AI behavior, player controls, and interactive UI elements, which are crucial for creating an immersive experience.
Design and Creativity:
Level Design: Designing the space environment and waves of enemies allowed me to explore creative level design, focusing on player engagement and challenge.
Visual Effects: I learned to create compelling visual effects, such as lasers and explosions, that bring the game world to life.
Project Management:
Development Cycle: Managing the different stages of development, from initial concept to final testing, taught me valuable lessons in project management and iterative design.
Feedback Integration: I learned the importance of playtesting and integrating player feedback to refine gameplay and enhance the user experience.
Conclusion
Long-term Goals
This project was a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal of releasing my very own game on platforms like Steam. It has inspired me to keep learning and improving my skills, driven by the dream of sharing my creations with a wider audience.
Future Aspirations
Steam Release: My aspiration is to develop a game that is polished and engaging enough to be released on Steam, reaching gamers worldwide.
Continuous Learning: I am committed to continuous learning, exploring new technologies and design philosophies to bring even more innovative ideas to life in future projects.
Working on this space shooter project has been an incredible journey of discovery and growth. It has solidified my passion for game development and set me on a path toward achieving my ultimate goal. I am excited about the future and eager to see where my passion and determination will take me next.
Embark on an epic journey through the cosmos in this thrilling third-person space shooter!
Master the art of combat with strategic upgrades and experience powerful weapons, faster thrusters, and enhanced shields.