In Dev Vlog #27, LevelCap and Rich update viewers on their spaceship game development in Unreal Engine 5, highlighting new features like “Shockwave mines” and enhanced atmospheric designs for space environments. They emphasize the importance of structured collaboration among team members, showcase new environmental designs, and discuss challenges related to level loading and transitions.
In Dev Vlog #27, LevelCap and his collaborator Rich provide an update on their ongoing spaceship game development using Unreal Engine 5. The duo showcases several exciting new features, including explosive enemies and various atmospheric designs for space environments. They discuss the importance of making crucial architectural decisions as they progress, focusing on how these choices will influence the game’s development and overall experience.
One of the highlights of this vlog is the introduction of a new mine system, referred to as “Shockwave mines.” LevelCap explains how these mines are designed to be visually and audibly engaging, thanks to the contributions of sound designer Panzer V1. While these mines are not meant to be overly challenging, they can become problematic when combined with other enemies, especially for players piloting larger ships. The visual effects for the mines were created using Unreal Engine’s Niagara system, showcasing a blend of artistic design and technical implementation.
The video delves into the collaborative process of game development, emphasizing the need for a structured approach that allows various team members—such as coders, VFX artists, and sound designers—to work together seamlessly. LevelCap highlights the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between gameplay logic and aesthetics, ensuring that game designers can adjust gameplay parameters without inadvertently affecting visual or audio elements. This organized workflow is essential for future-proofing the game’s development, especially as the team expands.
Additionally, LevelCap shares his recent work on environmental design, showcasing a new green glowing planet and a map called “Distress Call,” which features a cloudy atmosphere suitable for ambush scenarios. He emphasizes the need to diversify the visual background of the game, moving beyond a simple black starry backdrop to create more engaging environments. This experimentation with different visual styles is crucial for enhancing the game’s immersive experience.
Finally, the vlog touches on the challenges of level loading and transitions. LevelCap discusses his research into using World Partitions and Data Layers in Unreal Engine 5 to facilitate seamless level transitions. He aims to create an engaging FTL hyperspace effect during level loads, which requires careful planning and execution. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to join their Discord community for updates and feedback, encouraging player involvement in the game’s development process.