3rd Year University Collaborative Module
Time scale - January 2nd - February 10th 2023
Team Size - 18 people
Software used:
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Photoshop
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Excel
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Premier Pro
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Jira
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GitHub
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Unreal Engine 5
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Confluence
Research summary doc:
Role: Game Designer and Project Co-Lead
Work samples:
Responsibilities:
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Thorough research of racing games and race tracks
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Create a GDD on Confluence
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Make a rule sheet
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Playtest and iterate based off feedback
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Track design and blocking out
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Create a trailer for the game
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Managing a team of junior designers, regularly communicating with other sectors and overseeing the production pipeline
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Create mechanic diagrams
Game Trailer
Overview:
This project enabled me to see a full development pipeline as well as managing the responsibility of communicating between the departments.
This was my first taste at designing a race track so consequently I have a better grasp of the design elements that go into making tracks tick. For example, after research I discovered chicane curvature is often used to slow traffic, so I designed a dynamically changing obstacle (a leaking bag of treats) which grows throughout the track, which creates that curvature after a moment of high intensity to slow down the gameplay and provide more pacing variety.
This project also aided in my organisational skills, from regularly holding Design meetings, to communicating with Tech to see the scope viability of Design decisions.
In addition, overseeing junior designers meant regularly going through their tasks, providing feedback and having calm discussions.
Level analysis:
Track Design process:
1- Research and analyse racing games and real life tracks
2- Produce a rough map and analyse against findings
3- Make a cleaner version that can be applied to a plane in Unreal Engine
4- Block out around the plane
5- Iterate based off internal and external playtesting feedback
