Zipit!
Programming
Programming
I worked on several mechanics for 'Zipit!'. I have chosen the mechanics that I believe are the best blueprints that I created while working on this project. These can be seen down below along with an explanation of the development process.
Zipline System
Camera Switching
Checkpoint System
Click the button below to view the level design page for Zipit! (2024).
Zipline Mechanic:
The zipline system is the main attraction and method of traversing the level.Â
It uses the cable component in the actor blueprint and sets a start point and an end point. The player capsule then moves between these points before being disconnected.
It sets the start and ends points of the zipline and attaches the cable to those points. (In the Zipline BP)
In the Character BP it sets the start and end enable points and the start and end location of the zipline. When the player jumps it checks whether the player can zipline from the start/ end location. If true, the the camera is set to first person, the movement is set to 'Flying' and the character begins moving from the start point to the end point. The camera then begins to shake and a sound plays. When the player reaches the end location the movement is set to 'Falling' and the camera is switched from first person to third person.
Camera Switching:
Camera switching is a personal favourite mechanic of mine as the player's perspective can really change how they see a game and giving them the choice to view it how they wish is a positive.
The function swaps the active states of the first and third person cameras so when the first person camera is active the third person camera is inactive and vice-versa.
Checkpoint System:
The checkpoint system helps to reduce frustration and the chances of the player breaking the game.
It works by getting the GameMode and setting the last checkpoint as itself.
Then it respawns the player by destroying the player, getting the location of the last checkpoint and spawning the player at the location, giving the control back to the player so they can continue. If there is no checkpoint then the player will respawn at the start of the level.