Weapon Deals With the Devil
Roguelite FPS prototype where the player battles through levels with a customized loadout, and the game adds on additional challenges based on the selected loadout
Key Takeaways The challenges of designing for randomness
While randomness is a great way to provide variety and freshness, it also comes with its' set of challenges - such as providing a feeling of fairnes, control and avoiding too much reliance on luck
EngineUnreal Engine 5.5
Team sizeSolo
Timeline3 weeks - Q1 2025
Overview
Main challenges
Designing and implementing controlled randomness that increases replayability and creates interesting gameplay moments
Designing a progression architecture that supports short-term and long-term progression
Implementing a responsive AI system that provides sufficient challenge to the gameplay
Design & implementation highlights
Player debuff and enemy enhancement system designed to add challenges to the game based on the player's loadout selection
XP and loadout collection system designed to provide short-term and long-term progression in line with the rest of the game
Melee and ranged AI designed to provide a mix of encounter situations and challenges
Project
Design goal
Build a prototype for a concept where the devil offers you a way out of hell with a loadout of your choice, but plays tricks on you and adds challenges based on your choices
Result - high level
An FPS roguelite where the game adjusts challenges to your selections and a progression system designed for player engagement and motivation.
Primary gameplay loop
Secondary gameplay loop
Tertiary gameplay loop
Gameplay design
Challenge Controlled randomness
Prevent the game from becoming too predictable, and make each run unique
Scalability - the solution should be expandable with new features
Responsive to player input - to create coherency with the rest of the game
Solution Dynamic challenge system
A system that enables predefined challenges of the game catered to player choices
Many gameplay combinations by combining individual features in each run
New challenges each run for new experiences even when using the same loadout
Challenge Progression
Sense of accomplishment as players play the game
Development over time that motivates players to come back for additional runs
Solution XP and loadout unlock systems
Session progression by upgrading loadout between levels and adaptign to the run's challenges
Motivation to explore levels and keep playing by finding pickups that permanently unlock arsenal items
Increase power over time by killing enemies and gaining XP that can be spend on permanent stats upgrades
Challenge Responsive AI system
Should respond to player actions to make player's adjust to situations
Solution Melee & ranged enemies
Inspect noise creating consequences to actions outside of combat
Melee chase & strafe to create dynamic behavior
Ranged chase & shoot to keep pressure on when players try to escape
