THE OIL RIG

// BLOCKMESH + GAMEPLAY SCRIPTING

DOWNLOAD PROJECT

PLAYTHROUGH VIDEO

OVERVIEW

PROJECT DETAILS

INTRODUCTION

This project was a level design challenge to create a non-linear gameplay experience. The idea was to prototype 1 main player mechanic and design the level around it. A key project constraint was to design a level that included 3 interconnected paths, 1 main objective, and 3 optional objectives, all contained within a 100x100x100 meter radius.

GOALS

Create a short, focused level experience under pre-established design constraints.
Exercise my level design and scripting skills.
Learn about AI and Behaviour Trees.

BREAKDOWN

Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Language: Blueprints
Version Control: Perforce
Duration: 4 Weeks
Team Size: 1

DESIGN PROCESS

RESEARCH & PLANNING

For this project, I wanted to avoid fantasy and forced myself into designing for a more realistic setting. I decided to set the level in a small oil rig because of its verticality. Due to the nature of top-down and the limited space, I figured that an oil rig would not only allow me to utilize its verticality, but it would also be more fun to navigate than a typical building, for example.

MOOD BOARD

TOP-DOWN MAP LAYOUT

Instead of using sketches to design my layout, I opted to use graphic design software so that I could be aware of the space limitations. I used 1-inch squares to represent Unreal Engine's 1-meter cubes. This process took longer, but it was helpful in figuring out how to make the most of the space.

LEVEL PACING FLOWCHART

The layout of the level needed to have 3 unique paths that looped back to the golden path, without backtracking. I figured that it would be interesting to the player if each path led to a different side of the top area. I decided to make the bottom area of the oil rig the place where all of the paths can be taken.

PROTOTYPING THE MAIN MECHANIC & ENEMY AI

Before committing to the blockmesh, I wanted to make sure I had the main mechanic and the enemy AI working properly, as they would influence my blockmesh. For the main mechanic, I decided to create a Tactical Disk. The disk acts as a projectile that behaves similarly to Captain America's shield. The player can bounce it off of walls and enemies up to 3 times before returning to the player. The enemy AI was set up to patrol an area. When they make contact with the player, they will strafe around the player while shooting projectiles.

Check out the video below for a deep explanation on how I made both mechanics and my thought process.

TACTICAL DISK STORYBOARD

DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN TECHNIQUES

Based on the references I gathered, it made sense to have the player start at the rig's dock and have the player navigate the level vertically through the catwalks. My goal was to use the rig's underside to create multiple paths that all connect back to the topside from different directions.

LEVEL STORY

The Player, an Elite Soldier, is sent to infiltrate an illegal oil rig. Armed with a versatile Tactical Disk weapon, their mission is to shut down the production of oil by destroying 3 of the rigʼs main systems. Once the 3 main systems are destroyed, they must escape to the rigʼs helipad where a helicopter will be waiting to extract them before the rig explodes.

LEVEL OBJECTIVES

Main Objective: Destroy the rig's 3 main components and reach the helicopter on the helipad before the rig explodes.
Optional Objectives:
1. Kill ALL enemies in the level.
2. Collect 5 Keycards.
3. Find & Retrieve the oil rig's Blueprints.

LEVEL START

The level assumes the player has just learned their Tactical Disk. I made the starting dock spacious to give the player room to bounce the disk around. The path then funnels the player forward through a narrow, linear corridor.

FIRST COMBAT ENCOUNTER

This area follows a long corridor with a single enemy. My idea was to have a simple space where the player can easily practice bouncing their disk around the environment. If the player does not bounce the disk, the narrow space allows them to simply throw it forward without much room for error.

INTERCONNECTED PATH 01

Here, the player finds their first optional path. I aimed to give each path its own identity. For this first one, I wanted it to be a difficult path as a challenge for players. I intended to create an early route to the top at the cost of it being a slightly harder combat encounter, while keeping the option to retreat and continue exploring the underside.

The top area not only features multiple enemies early on, but it also has awkward angles to bounce the disk effectively, forcing the player to rely more on their aim and positioning.

INTERCONNECTED PATH 02

If the player follows the Golden Path, they will reach the second optional path. I aimed to create a direct contrasting route to the previous one by making it a safe route. From this point, the player can also see a larger area to the right with multiple enemies.

I aimed to create a safe prospect area to let players scout the topside of the level without resistance. With the goal to not only encourage exploration but also give them the agency to choose their path.

FIRST MAIN OBJECTIVE

If the player follows the Golden Path once more, they will be led to the first Main Objective. I wanted to make this area an easy combat zone. I strategically placed objects in a way that would create natural opportunities for the player to bounce the disk around to attack enemies from afar.

INTERCONNECTED PATH 03

Following the path forward, the player will be funneled into the third and final path to the topside. Additionally, the path crosses with the one below, creating a shortcut for players who may want to explore the other paths without backtracking too much.

I wanted to create an area of prospect that was balanced in terms of difficulty and navigation. This top area features a medium-sized space with tall walls for cover. From this position, the player can spot the helipad to the left, a center path with enemies, and a right path with a single enemy and good angles to bounce the disk from afar. The right path also leads the player into the second Main Objective.

SECOND MAIN OBJECTIVE

For the location of the second Main Objective, I wanted to create a larger open combat area with multiple opportunities to bounce the disk around. I aimed to make an area that would make using the disk fun by giving the player great angles for trickshoting the disk.

THIRD MAIN OBJECTIVE

The center of the rig's topside contains a large area with multiple entry points. I wanted every path to connect here. This area features the third Main Objective guarded by multiple enemies. I aimed to design this area as the final combat challenge. While large, it offers mostly 90-degree angles. I intended to force the player to use their disk by aiming or repositioning themselves to create more favorable bouncing angles.

THE COMPUTER ROOM

The computer room was an area of the level that required the most iterations. From the beginning, I wanted it to exist at a higher level than the main topside. I decided to give it a large balcony area to place enemies in. The 'U' shape of the path allows the player to bounce the disk comfortably.

This top room contains 1 of the 3 optional objectives, but it requieres a unique collectible that the player must find in another room.

This small room is found across from the Computer Room, and it contains the collectible to access the computer.

LEVEL END

Finally, the helipad is found to the north side of the rig. Initially, it is empty. Once the player destroys all of the 3 Main Objectives, a countdown begins and a helicopter spawns here. When the player reaches the helicopter, the level ends. If the player does not reach the helicopter during the countdown, they fail the level.

POSTMORTEM

WHAT WENT RIGHT +

ADAPTING TO TOP-DOWN

As a level designer who loves 3D spaces, designing a top-down level was a challenging learning experience. I came to understand that some level design concepts are not possible from the top-down perspective, and others must be adapted to work properly. Things like Vistas are naturally limited by what's visible from the camera's POV. While things like Landmarks must be adapted to be part of the immediate environment. Something I noticed, that I did not apply to this project, was animated movement on Landmarks or specific areas of the map. This is something that helps to draw the attention of the player to an area of the level from the visual limitations of a top-down perspective. I think that some animated movement to the central pump machine in my level would've added a layer of immersion while also making it stand out as the level's main objective.Looking back, I can notice areas of improvement and missed gameplay opportunities. But in the end, I learned a lot about designing a top-down level and its unique design challenges.

LEARNING AI & BEHAVIOUR TREES

This project allowed me to learn more about AI and practice using Behaviour Trees. I took advantage of the small scope of the project to try and learn something new and apply it. I figured that AI enemies would also allow for more dynamic gameplay for such a small level. So I gave myself a challenge to figure out something basic as a proof of concept and in the end, learned a lot and became more confident in my ability to create more complex AI in future projects.

THE TACTICAL DISK

While not perfect, the Tactical Disk received overwhelmingly positive feedback during playtesting, with players having continuous, positive reactions while both fighting enemies and simply bouncing the disk for fun. My goal was to replicate the feeling of Captain America throwing his shield—bouncing it between enemies in crazy ways before it returns to his hand.To fulfill this fantasy, I implemented a seeking behavior to have the disk target nearby enemies, which made gameplay feel quick and smooth. To support this core mechanic, I also scripted several key behaviors that contributed to its success. Limiting the disk to 3 bounces not only created a clear limit but also added a strategic flow to the gameplay. Lastly, by scripting its return behaviour to account for the Z-axis, I ensured the disk would never get stuck in the environment, providing a smoother and more reliable player experience.Ultimately, the combination of my implementation and the inherent fun of bouncing the disk made for an engaging and highly praised mechanic.

WHAT WENT WRONG -

NO SUPPORTING MECHANICS

While there is an argument to be made about the enemies acting as a supporting mechanic, they mostly are like a direct opposition to the player, the expected obstacle. I wanted to create exploding barrels and breakable crates as supporting mechanics to the Tactical Disk. But due to time constraints, the time spent learning and getting the AI to work led me to compromise them.For the exploding barrels, I placed them around in the level during blockout, but did not get to script their behaviour. I aimed to place them in convenient locations with clear angles that the player could take advantage of to damage multiple enemies at once. With the breakable crates, I wanted to use them as temporary cover that both the player and enemies could destroy with enough hits. My goal was to create dynamic combat areas where, as the fight progressed, the player would have less cover while opening new angles to bounce the disk around.

VISUAL OBSTRUCTION

Part of the things I learned from designing a top-down level was that making vertical spaces in a top-down level can cause visual obstruction. To circumvent this, I made note of the height between floors where the camera was not obstructed, and designed the level around those metrics. However, some areas, specifically in the underside, have paths that block the player's vision to a certain degree.This is something I learned to consider for future projects, as well as having a system in place that can see through obstructing geometry—a technique used in other games in the genre.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, I achieved every goal I set for this project. Despite its small scope, I successfully applied my level design skills to a genre I hadn't previously designed for, creating a short but complete gameplay experience. I learned about and integrated a simple AI with a behavior tree that complemented the Tactical Disk. In general, this project was a rewarding and fun learning experience, and it has made me feel far more confident in designing levels for top-down gameplay.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse