Visual Appearance and Level Design
We wanted to create a mostly dark and atmospheric but still charming game world – a world in which humanity is long gone but its impact still visible. Remains of the futuristic society lie in ruin and are decaying while the flora and fauna claims back the world – a classical post-apocalyptic scenery. While establishing a rather dark mood the presence of light was important to us and since the game shouldn’t feel like a horror game the balance between dystopian sci-fi and colourful scenery was a challenge.
The levels start rather simple and gain on complexity while the player progresses throughout the game. New obstacles should require the player to adapt with his newly acquired equipment and also reaction and decision making will become more relevant as new enemies and obstacles make it harder to collect the energy orbs necessary to activate the terminal in the end of each level. At the end of each area a new part for IDO is unlocked. Its mechanics are explained and established in the following levels and finally extend the possibilities for more complex level designs.
The first levels should establish the general mood of the game but not feel too threatening. Light floods the destructed environment and leads the player to the first obstacles and energy orbs. The combination of devastated environment and calm light had quite an important role in the first level designs. From the starting area the path leads deeper down into the facility. While the daylight is decreasing artificial light sources lighten the way to the end of each level. The flora which has developed within the depths of the facility becomes more noticeable. Mushrooms glow in the dark and release its spores creating a misty atmosphere.
This area was a fantastic opportunity to establish new mutated animals and plants as enemies and to bring more life into the badlands. The flooded area requires the player to make use of one of the different drives IDO can be equipped with. The colour scheme remains at green, only the rust-red walls are used as colour contrast. While in the beginning glaring lights from the ceiling light the way later in the level radioactive fish eggs provide the necessary brightness.
The first enemy the player encounters in this level is a mutated fish trying to eat him. The creature can be bypassed by using a boost – an ability which comes with the propeller drive, or it can be blinded with the flashlight module. The second obstacles would be the water plants slowing the movement and dragging down the player if he remains too long between them. Those plants also have another variant which releases its seamine-like seeds causing an explosion if the player gets in contact with them. The player should also keep his distance from the radioactive fish eggs or IDO will receive radiation damage.
Since in our story GOD will activate the whole facility and start to produce new operator drones IDO will encounter more android enemies. One of the areas IDO will pass through is the factory where the drones are assembled. A special equipment makes it possible to attach to the assembly line only allowing to switch position from top to bottom. The player needs to avoid the welding robots and terrain as well as the security turrets. The level should portray a threatening industrial environment in which every wrong move will have consequences.
gracieabrams
stormborns
origamiaround
amandla
2087
dailybridgerton