Project Name | Metal Funpark | |
Genre | Node based arena FPS | |
Position | Level & Game Design | |
Work Type | Student Project | |
Production Time | 07/2011 - 02/2013 | |
Team size | 8 students | |
Released | canceled | |
Targeting | adult core and experienced players | |
Platform | PC (XBox controls) | |
Technology | Unreal Engine |
With MFP we aimed for a fast-paced FPS in a futuristic arena battle sport. This project was too ambitious, miscalculated and canceled after one year in production. Instead we created a class-based prototype with team object focused gameplay by capturing and defending nodes. We wanted to provide freedom of movement, tactical decisions and the vibe of a stadium with fast rounds of about 15 - 25 minutes for 4 up to 10 players.
As a part of the game design team, I was involved in creating the GDD, designing the combat system, movement, classes, weapons, and game mode. Testing, analyzing the focus group and balancing was also one of my tasks.
As the level designer in the team, I worked from the first concepts of the arena to the final version along with the most 3D assets of the level environment. This work had many iterative cycles like building, testing and getting feedback. With the concept art team, I designed and executed a modular 3D asset system for the level.
Becoming acquainted with Adobe Flash and Scaleform UI pipeline, setting up the XBOX 360 controller inputs, SFXs, texturing 3D assets and decals were also part of my tasks.
I learned more or less the whole Unreal SDK (Kismet / Blueprints, Unreal script basics, CSG, Matinee, Animation trees, Cascade, Material Editor, Landscape and Foliage). The work with the Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk 3Ds Max improved my drawing, texturing and modeling skills. Besides my new learned and extended hard-skills, I become familiar with daily soft-skills routine of meetings, feedback rounds, using version control tools and different communications channels.
Despite all the problems we had, the mistakes we made and countless hours of work, I learned a ton and had a unique time with such a great team. Thanks and a shout out to my friends and team mates.