Blog 4: Modular branches
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In the previous blog entries I have talked about character animations and sprites for different background elements. In this fourth blog entry I will be talking about something a bit more critical for our game Echo. This weeks feature is branches. Since our setting for the game takes place in a tree, a very important aspect to consider was creating a path for the player. Our team decided that this was to be done using branches. We were to draw some branches and then lay them out in such a way so as to make a path for the player to navigate around. We made an initial set of branches and made a layout for the alpha playtesting. This first set of branches were extremely detailed and had small sub-branches poking out. However, after we received feedback from the alpha playtesting we found out that the branches were heavily criticized. The branches had hitbox issues because it was too detailed. Players kept getting stuck and bounced off the branches. Our programmers tried to solved the issue but it was not completely resolved. So, it was decided that a new set of branches was to be made. It was also to be made modular so that we could have more freedom in making the layout for the branches. So, I started making some very simple straight branches. The challenge was making each branch modular. They are supposed to connect to another section of a branch without looking too awkward or unnatural. I used some techniques to test out how to do this which included using blur and shadows. I had also considerd making a making a main branch with sockets where the smaller branches would fit but that kind of made it semi-modular and it was not exactly what I wanted. In the end, I darkened the edges of all the branches and then used a soft brush to paint over the ends of the branches. This technique actually worked and the result was as I had wanted to be. After this I went on to draw several branches to provide more options when we make the actual map. I used the same technique and made slight variations, such as a slightly curved branch and branches that are bent in some places. The result was satisfactory. An example of it can be found in the images below.
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