(Solo project)
I wanted to create something with similar mechanics to Vigor by Bohemia Interactive, but with simple graphics. Looking at classic arcade games for inspiration, Asteroids stood out as a perfect match for crafting mechanics combined with resource-gathering battle areas.
Initial Idea
The original concept was a competitive multiplayer experience where players would share an arena with asteroids, fighting each other to collect resources and materials. Players could return to the mothership at any time. After a set period, a wormhole would open and bring an alien shipwreck into the area. One player would be able to grab rare resources and attempt to carry them back to the mothership, while others competed to claim the loot, making the finale of each battle session highly dramatic. If a ship was destroyed, all collected loot would be lost.
Dropping Multiplayer
The first major hurdle was multiplayer. Initially everything seemed manageable, but as I added more features, maintaining network synchronization became increasingly time-consuming, especially as I was still learning Unreal Engine. I had working network synchronization for my custom movement component, but when I integrated the Gameplay Ability System, the complexity of the required network code quickly exceeded what I could handle within my self-imposed deadline. I decided to drop multiplayer entirely and continue with a simpler single-player experience.
Prototype
I finished the prototype by my target deadline. Several features were cut or simplified, but the core game loop is intact.
