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Project Overview
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Role: Gameplay Programmer & Level Designer
Key Skills: AI Behavior Logic, Game State Management, Environmental Storytelling, Existing Codebase Integration.
Summary: A top-down, real-time action puzzle game built upon a specific technical framework. My primary focus was architecting the enemy AI behaviors, designing the "Key & Lock" puzzle mechanics, and implementing the visual atmosphere to transform a white-box prototype into a cohesive cyberpunk experience.
Core Systems & Design
AI & Threat Logic
I developed the enemy behavior systems to interact with the pre-existing grid movement framework. This involved creating patrolling actors that actively track player coordinates in real-time. I implemented a "Line of Sight" check that triggers a pursuit state, forcing players to utilize level geometry to break contact and survive.
Puzzle Mechanic Implementation
I designed and scripted the objective-based gameplay loop. This included the logic for "Key" collection, gate unlocking, and the win/loss state management. I ensured these mechanics triggered distinct visual and audio cues, providing the player with clear feedback when interacting with the grid system.
Atmosphere & Visual Polish
Transitioning from prototype to polish, I implemented a deferred lighting model to create a "Cyber-Noir" aesthetic. I utilized high-contrast neon emissives against dark metallic materials to guide player navigation visually. Particle effects were added to hazards to provide immediate feedback on "safe" vs. "unsafe" states in the low-light environment.
Postmortem: Technical Challenges
Challenge: AI Pathing on a Grid
The Issue: Making enemies move intelligently within the constraints of the grid system without getting stuck on corners or clipping through valid tiles.
The Solution: I utilized the grid's coordinate system to clamp enemy movement vectors. By checking the validity of the next tile before initiating a move, I ensured that the AI adhered to the same movement rules as the player, creating a fair and predictable challenge.
Challenge: Visual Clarity in Low Light
The Issue: The "Dark Mode" aesthetic made it difficult for playtesters to distinguish between valid pathing and walls during fast-paced movement.
The Solution: I iterated on the lighting by adding rim-lights to movable actors and subtle emissive grids to the floor tiles. This maintained the mood while ensuring the gameplay space remained readable during real-time evasion.
Challenge: Asset Pipeline Integration
The Issue: Integrating external assets into an established codebase created scaling and rotation conflicts.
The Solution: I established a strict import workflow, standardizing the pivot points and scale factors of all 3D assets before bringing them into the engine. This ensured that new enemy models snapped perfectly to the grid logic without requiring code adjustments.
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