Looking Towards Prototype Two

It has been some time working with the ALS Locomotion System, I have made some surface level adjustments to the movement such as the speeds of various mechanics, air control, and similar variables. Since remaking the first prototype I have begun the development of the first area of the game, this area will not only act as the intro environment, but also be where the player lives!

New Trees and Graphics!

Working towards prototype two also comes with getting closer to the visual style for the game, my goal for the visual style is that of a cartoon, utilizing seemingly flatshaded colours to create a simplistic but artistic environment. I could site many inspirations/references for this visual style but mainly I want to reference three cartoons, Adventure Time (with its simplisitc, goofy, beauty), Gravity Falls (with its detailed but simple objects and also story!!), and Hilda (with its beautiful artwork look). These are constantly in my mind as I develop each layer of visuals for this game. 

Below you can see four new tree types, focusing on specific tree shapes and LEAVES! (awesome)

I also revamped the ground foliage which can be seen below:

and also a new approach to achieving a toon look! these are materially based rather than post processing like I was using previously, this is not anywhere near final but is getting closer to what I have envisioned in my head. This has definitely improved the look of the game and I will probably stray away from going back to using PPFx for achieving this toon look.

Visuals Footage

Here is some footage of the visuals in real-time, so you can get a better feel for them!

Some More Context

This game, The World, is going to be very stylized, in its environment, characters, and look. This kinda goes against what UE is traditionally known for, and its tools for creating high fidelity almost photo real environments. This was a choice I made as early as the beginning of concepting this story. As I mentioned previously, this game is part one of a three stage narrative. The beginning, The World, tells the story of the main character (YOU) in their youth. I chose to pursue an animated stylized look for this game because its through the eyes of this child, I wanted it to be fun and colourful. My plan is to then proceed this with something closer into realism, as while the narrative progresses so does the age of your character... now its too early to discuss anything about game two because I mean I'm only on prototype two of GAME ONE. but this story will leave off at a point where you have learned more about the world you occupy... and The World, hopefully leaving players with enough pieces to begin discovering and theorizing what's to come!

Now that you know some more, here is the current working (placeholder) intro cinematic to the game!

Until Next Time, Thank you!!!