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 DpattonTileGame 
 

Developing the Tile Game was an incredible adventure filled with creativity, challenges, and growth. This puzzle game, built using Unreal Engine, features a unique blend of mechanics designed to challenge players and immerse them in a world of color and strategy.

The Mechanics

One of the standout features of the Tile Game is the Color Harmony Mechanic. This innovative system allows players to change the color of cubes, tiles, and doors to match specific requirements. Integrating color theory into gameplay added a layer of depth, making players think critically about their moves and strategies.

Another key element is the Pressure Plate Logic. The game includes pressure plates that only open doors when the correct color is applied. This required intricate blueprint scripting and added a satisfying challenge, encouraging players to plan their actions carefully.

Structuring My Mechanics: ClickUp  

To effectively plan and organize my game mechanic, I utilized ClickUp to stay on top of my progress. By creating a detailed checklist of tasks and assigning deadlines, I could clearly visualize the steps needed to move forward. Progressing my ClickUp cards through various stages ensured I remained on track and steadily advanced towards completion.

Designing and Testing Game Mechanics: Color Matching and Interaction  

To effectively plan my game mechanics, I used Google Drawings to visualize the process. This approach provided a clear reference for developing the mechanics in Unreal Engine.

Mechanic 1: Matching the Box Color to the Door Color

1. Initial State: A grey box is off the blue tile.
2. Color Change: The box is moved onto the blue tile, changing its color to blue.
3. Activation: The blue box is placed on the pressure plate, opening the door (represented by a white line).

Mechanic 2: Matching the Player Color to Pass Through the Door

1. Initial State: The player (green circle) is near a blue tile.
2. Color Change: The player steps onto the blue tile, changing their color to blue.
3. Passage: The blue player moves through the blue door, gaining access to the next area.

By using these visual diagrams, I ensured a clear understanding of the mechanics before implementing them in Unreal Engine, streamlining the development process and allowing for efficient iteration and testing.

Creating the First Map

Designing the Initial Layout

Starting with the basics, I designed a simple level to test the core mechanics of my game. This initial map helped me understand how the player moves, how the current mechanics integrate with gameplay, and what potential enhancements could be made. Through this process, I gained valuable insights into player interaction and the possibilities that lie ahead with the resources at my disposal.

Utilizing Unreal Engine Blueprint System

Designing and Implementing Core Mechanics

To bring my game to life, I leveraged the power of the Unreal Engine Blueprint system. This visual scripting language allowed me to create complex interactions and gameplay mechanics without traditional coding. By breaking down each mechanic into manageable blueprints, I could iterate quickly and ensure seamless integration within the game world.

Below are a few key blueprints used in my project:

1. Color Harmony Mechanic Blueprint
   • This blueprint handles the color-changing logic for cubes and tiles, ensuring they match the required color to progress.
2. Pressure Plate Logic Blueprint
   • This blueprint controls the interaction between pressure plates and doors, opening the door when the correct colored cube is placed on the plate.
3. Soul Swap Mechanic Blueprint
   • This blueprint allows players to swap control between characters, enabling them to solve puzzles that require different abilities.

By visualizing these blueprints, I could ensure that each mechanic worked as intended and made necessary adjustments to improve gameplay. The visual nature of the Blueprint system provided a clear and intuitive way to develop and debug complex interactions, making it an invaluable tool in my game development process.

Showcasing Game Mechanics and Gameplay

I'm excited to share two videos that highlight the development process and the mechanics I've implemented in my game. These videos provide an in-depth look at the gameplay and the blueprints used to bring these mechanics to life.

Video 1: Comprehensive Mechanics and Gameplay In this video, I demonstrate all the mechanics I've developed so far, showcasing how they integrate seamlessly into the gameplay. You'll get to see the color matching, pressure plate logic, and more in action, along with the blueprints behind each mechanic.

Video 2: Introducing the Soul Swap Mechanic This video focuses on the new Soul Swap Mechanic, an innovative feature that allows players to swap control between characters to solve puzzles. The video goes into detail about the gameplay and the blueprints used to create this dynamic and engaging mechanic.

Collaboration and Community

A highlight of the project was the integration of the Soul Swap Mechanic, developed in collaboration with a classmate. This mechanic allowed players to swap control between characters, adding an exciting dynamic to the gameplay and enabling the creation of complex puzzles.

Engaging with the gaming community through platforms like Reddit, Discord, and YouTube played a crucial role in refining the game's mechanics. The feedback and advice from industry professionals and enthusiasts were invaluable, highlighting the importance of community support in game development.

Lessons Learned

The journey was not without its challenges. Overambition and time management were significant hurdles, as balancing multiple complex mechanics led to a longer development time than anticipated. Implementing logic for color index recognition and handling complex interactions required extensive debugging and refinement.

However, these challenges provided valuable learning experiences. The importance of pre-development planning, modular testing, and proper documentation became clear. Each obstacle overcame, and each solution found contributed to the game's final quality and my growth as a game designer.

Conclusion

The Tile Game project was a rewarding venture that showcased my ability to create engaging and challenging gameplay. From the successful implementation of the Color Harmony and Soul Swap mechanics to the lessons learned in time management and debugging, this project has prepared me for future endeavors in game design. I am excited to continue exploring new ideas and bringing innovative games to life.

Stay tuned for more updates and new projects as I continue my journey in the world of game design! 🎮