Visual Steering

Visual steering & Production

After making the concept art and blockout it was time to move on to the production fase. I modeled the whole scene myself and all of the core puzzle elements are fully functional in game. The project started out in HDRP but I switched over to URP for performance.

First the production

Creating a small cave at the beginning that helps with creating depth.

I added stalactites and crystals making it a deserted bit of the cave without much indication that many people have been down here.

Adding blockouts of human made structures to give the player a place that it recognizes.

Drawing over the models to help blocking out the map.

This really helped me when I was having trouble visualizing the map as a whole.

Adding interior

Every part of the map gets its own layout to give the feeling that its made out of different sections. The beginning will be a crystal cave that leads into the elevator room with a big contraption. If the player keeps walking the path it will eventually end up in a mine filled with mine carts filled with crystals.

Upgrading the elevator room

I replaced all the blockout models at the elevator section for the final models.

The elevator

I replaced the blockout model of the elevator with a new one. After playtesting it a little bit I came to the conclusion that it didn't look like an elevator anymore. The top was barely visible and it started looking more like a small prison then an elevator, so i made a new model.

The top of the new elevator model is more visible and the player is now able to see it has ropes on the top that are able to lift up the elevator.

With this new model the player will be able to recognize the elevator.

Visual Steering

Starting the game

The player starts next to a collapsed door. The camera shakes indicating that the cave is unstable. The player needs to find the exit.

To move the player uses the WASD keys. To jump use spacebar and to interact use E

The player walks to the right since it has no other way to go. Here the player finds big glowing crystals. The player can jump on these to parcour their way up.

When reaching the top the player can see a bright light which will attract it.

Arriving at the light the player will be able to see its an elevator with a lever inside. But the lever does not work.

The player can see both the red cables leading somewhere and the gears in the back leading a path.

The player has found itself another lever next to a generator.

To interact with it press ''E''

When the player pulls the lever the gears behind it start turning, indicating the power is on.

But when the player walks to the right it can see that a gear is missing and stopping the other gears from moving.

This is also becoming more clear with the flickering light above it, drawing the attention of the player to it.

With no other way to go, the player can walk more left and jump over the fence which leads further down.

The player gets reassurance on the way down by the human made structures around it. Meaning others have been here.

Arriving at the bottom the player enters a big open space with mine carts. The player will be stopped by large gaps in front of it. The player can jump over these to continue deeper into the cave.

After the jumps the player arrives on the other side. Finding the missing gear on the floor next to a mine cart that has fallen over.

Also here the flickering light helps drawing the players attention towards the gear.

While colliding with the gear the player will pick it up. To show the player it has picked up the gear it will be shown on top of the body.

Bringing back the gear to the missing spot and interacting with it by pressing ''E'' will put the gear back in place.

This will make the rest of the gears turn, showing the player the power has been restored.

When the player interacts with the lever by pressing ''E'' the elevator will go up. Only leaving one way to go.

When the player walks to the right it can find the exit and leave the cave.

The exit here is shown by the bright light coming out of it.

Ending the game

After you walk through the exit you return the main menu telling you that you have safely escaped the collapsing cave.

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