Camera Systems Design

I was responsible for the design and implementation of the camera system and level block-outs in Death Petal.  

Using Final Fantasy X and Resident Evil 2 as my main references, I prototyped and implemented a fixed camera system that occasionally switches to dynamic movement for cinematic effect or practical reasons.  The primary focus during prototyping was to ensure that the combination of fixed camera angles, third-person shooting and puzzle elements worked cohesively and felt fun to play.

Once the camera system was functional, I built out the level using first primitive objects and later finished assets, which allowed me to frame the environment in a way that supported both the cinematic and mechanical requirements of the level. 

In this way, I was able to curate the players view and direct attention to important landmarks and pathways in the scene. 

Camera Considerations and Iterations

As more elements such as enemy encounters and puzzles were introduced,  further considerations had to be made when developing the camera system. It was essential that players could successfully navigate the level and engage with the core mechanics without unnecessary frustration.

Some camera angles were found to obstruct enemy visibility or impede player movement, and players initially struggled to orient themselves within the level when passing from room to room. 

Through iterative testing, I continuously refined the camera positioning to prioritize readability while maintaining a stylistic cinematic direction. Through practice I grew faster at finding this balance and in the end the fixed camera system became a valuable component of the game's unique visual identity.