Toybox Battles

Prototype of a multiplayer shooter where players play as one of two unique classes and face off in toy-themed battles that shift gameplay mid-match

Key Takeaway Developing multiplayer gameplay proved to be harder than anticipated

Multiplayer architecture posed entirely new challenges linked to code structure, replication and other unexpected engine-related behaviours.

EngineUnreal Engine 5.5

Team sizeSolo

Timeline3 weeks - Q1 2025

Overview

Main challenge

Solving actor references in a multiplayer project

Highlights

Two characters designed for different player fantasies, each offering a unique gameplay experience

Gameplay shifting game mode designed to add a meaningful change to how players interact with the game and one another

Project

Design Goal

Build a multiplayer game that caters to at least two different player fantasies, with at least one ability to go with each fantasy.

Result - High Level

A prototype for a toy themed multiplayer shooter with two characters and a gameplay-shifting game mode

Core gameplay loop

Gameplay design

Challenge Two player fantasies

Meaningful differences that result in unique playstyles and experiences

Fitting abilities that cater to the character's playstyles

Solution #1 Scout character

Nimble but fragile character catering to players who enjoy quick gameplay with traditional ways of dealing DPS

Hook ability that enables the scout to traverse the map and access points not accessible to other characters

Pistol that allows the scout to engage enemies from vantage points enabled by the hook

Technical solution: Step 1 Spawn hook

Spawn a hook and attach it to the player if they choose the scout
View blueprint

Step 2 Launch hook

Launch hook in the camera's direction
View blueprint

Step 3 Reel in player character

When the hook hits something it stops and starts moving the player towards the hook's location, still allowing the player to move in the air.
Stop moving the player when they are within the set range of the hook.

View blueprint

Solution #2 Mover character

Slow but robust character catering to players who are interested in mixing combat with strategic elements

Throw ability that allows the mover to create cover for his team, remove cover for opponents, and flanking opportunities for themselves

Grenade launcher that requires a little prediction of where opponents are going because of the slower AOE shots. Has an alternative firing mode that shoots grenades with a single bounce.

Technical solution: Step 1 Pick up object

Check that the interacting character is a Mover and attach the movable object to the character if that is the case
View blueprint

Step 2 Show trajectory

While holding the object, show a trajectory and a copy of the mesh being held for the player holding it, to visualize the placement of the object
View blueprint

Step 3 Throw

Throw the object into the intended new place and lock it on landing
View blueprint

Challenge Game changing game mode

Meaningful change that does more than speed up a timer or shrink the map

Solution Hide, push & pull

Leaning into the toy theme - a match is interrupted mid-game by a human, who players have to avoid. Any player caught by the human is removed for the duration of this stage.

Changes map traversal, as players have to stay hidden from the giant being threatening to eliminate them

Designed features, not implemented due to lack of time

Human hearing - using regular weapons attracts the human's attention and risks detection

Push & pull - use the character's abilities to push/pull enemies out of hiding so that they are detected by the human - changing the gameplay further from traditional combat

Technical solution: Step 1 Line of sight check

Checks for line of sight between the human and each player's body parts are done at regular intervals.
A player is marked as spotted and a timer is started, to allow them a window of opportunity to hide

If they hide and the next line of sight check returns a false, the timer is reset

View blueprint

Step 2 Final check

When the timer runs out, it does a check against the player that timer was set for.
If the check returns a hit, the player is removed from the game

View blueprint

Step 3 Remove

When a player is removed, perspective is changed to third person, controls are disabled and the character is moved towards the human.
Once the player has been removed, they switch to spectator mode.

View blueprint

Toybox Battles

Key Takeaway Developing multiplayer gameplay proved to be harder than anticipated

Overview

Main challenge

Highlights

Project

Design Goal

Result - High Level

Core gameplay loop

Gameplay design

Challenge Two player fantasies

Solution #1 Scout character

Step 1 Spawn hook

Step 2 Launch hook

Step 3 Reel in player character

Solution #2 Mover character

Step 1 Pick up object

Step 2 Show trajectory

Step 3 Throw

Challenge Game changing game mode

Solution Hide, push & pull

Designed features, not implemented due to lack of time

Step 1 Line of sight check

Step 2 Final check

Step 3 Remove