Nexus Gate
2022.12-2023.4
Overview
This feature “Nexus Gate“ is the largest and most challenging aspect of the game, designed as an independent component from the main gameplay. It is a tile-based puzzle game where players click on empty tiles to navigate their character and interact with items, leading to a series of pre-designed events.
Objective
The primary objective was to create an engaging and challenging puzzle experience that enhances the overall game while allowing players to explore strategic navigation and interaction within a visually appealing environment. Additionally, the aim was to boost community activity and interaction, fostering discussions around strategies, hidden items, and story elements related to the puzzles.
Role: Game Developer
Role:
I initially focused on developing an editor tool for designers to create maps and write custom events tailored to different level designs. As the project evolved, I expanded my responsibilities to include nearly all frontend work, collaborating with backend developers and implementing the majority of the map items.
1. Concept & Research
Developed the concept of a tile-based puzzle game through brainstorming sessions and discussions with the design team.
Researched existing puzzle games to identify effective mechanics and player engagement strategies.
2. Design
Designed the initial layout and mechanics of the tile-based navigation system, focusing on user-friendly interactions.
Created mockups and wireframes for the editor tool interface to assist designers in crafting maps and custom events.
3. Implementation
Developed the editor tool that enables designers to create maps and set up events, allowing for a versatile design process.
Implemented the frontend work, including UI elements and interactions, while ensuring seamless gameplay mechanics.
4. Testing
Conducted playtesting sessions to gather feedback on the gameplay experience and the functionality of the editor tool.
Iterated on the design and implementation based on player feedback and usability testing results.
5. Future Work:
With the implementation of a custom level editor, designers now have the flexibility to create and customize new levels independently. As a result, my focus will shift to supporting the design team and addressing any requests for new level elements or features that may require coding. Additionally, I will gather feedback from designers on the editor's usability to identify potential enhancements and improvements.
Results
“Nexus Gate” has been successfully completed and released as the biggest update in the game's history. This launch has generated significant interest, with many YouTubers publishing videos showcasing level solutions, which enhanced community engagement. As a result, interactions within the community have surged, with Discord message activity increasing by 150% compared to before the feature's release. Additionally, daily active users (DAU) rose by 30%, indicating a strong player response and a revitalized interest in the game. Players are actively discussing strategies, hidden items, and story elements, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.
Takeaways
This development period has been incredibly demanding, filled with valuable lessons. Throughout the process, I significantly enhanced my knowledge in Unity tilemap implementation, editor tool development, and animation systems. Each day presented new challenges that improved my skills in these areas, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in game development. The experience has been both challenging and memorable, contributing to my growth as a game developer.