This month has been cram packed with a ton of new development work and features to the Ares framework. From updating existing functionality, new character skills, updates to existing material shaders, new level tools to an exceptional amount of 3d modelling work.
UPDATE #1: Framework Update
Here are a few of the new implementations we have added to our Ares framework:
New Character skills:
- Gliding: Forward velocity increases the longer the character travels in the same direction. Slows down when rotation is changed.
- Burrowing: The ground material below the player dictates if the character can perform the burrow skill in that specific location.
- Climbing: Allows for 8 degrees of freedom when climbing on specific world geometry.
- Flying/Hover: Functionality for Super Sonic and Tails.
Character skills update: - Sonic
- Homing attack: Now uses a frontal cone trace for targeting.
- Overhaul of Light Dash functionality.
- Updated Stomp land visual effect.
- Rebuilt box kicking functionality. Kicking now pushes box forward instead of using a gravity force flinging it into the air.
- Updated Super Sonic logic.
- Overhauled and simplified Wall jumping logic.
- Created Boosting visual effect in UE5.
- Camera now zooms in towards the character whilst boosting and back out when boost button is released.
- Overhauled Grinding functionality.
- Rebuilt Character animation blueprints into sub-states for ease of use.
Bonus stage - Slot machine:
- Converted the UE4 Blueprint bonus stage system created in 2021 over to a full C++ code implementation.
- Flashing timed neon lights when character enters the the slot chamber.
- Fruit machine drums spin upon character entering the slot chamber.
- Score system built with same award system as Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
- Stage spins initially to the left.
- Touching the Reversal actor spins the stage in the opposite direction.
- Touching the Goal actor, causes the player to be locked in place and the stage spins around them before exiting the stage.
- 2D based directional bumpers.
- Intro/Outro Bonus stage screens coded.
- Perimeter blocks change color when touched. (Initially blue, yellow, red). Upon turning red, after 1 second becomes a Goal actor. An early implementation video can be seen here.
Framework updates:
- Update to Chaos Emerald shader material to resemble actual gem stones.
- Boss Damage system created and overlay material effect applied.
- Wearable items for hero characters re-coded for UE5.
- Underwater volume functionality and water shader created with caustics.
- Drowning functionality created.
- One way platform: Jump up from below like in classic platforming games.(For 2D gameplay only)
- Moving yellow blocks created as a place-able level item. (Those seen in Chemical Plant Zone)
- Stomp Platform. (As Performed in Crisis City Zone)
- Pressure Spring - Steam. (As seen in Metropolis Zone)
- 90 Degree Rotating ledge. (As seen in Metropolis Zone)
- Pressure Spring - Rotating flame jets. (As seen in Flying Battery Zone)
- Moving Vertical bar. ( As seen in Sky Sanctuary Zone)
- Speed track: Gravitates player to the centre of the playable track when speed is above a specific threshold.
- Locked speed path: Sets player to move along a specific path by a determined velocity (think Greenhill tube tunnels).
Some screenshots and model renders from this months change log.
UPDATE #2: Looking for an Animator/Rigger to join the team.
We are seeking a Character rigger & animator with experience in either Blender, Maya or 3DS Max.
More information can be found regarding this role on our discord server. This link that will take you straight to the #open-positions channel: Discord.gg
UPDATE #3: Discord members
From time to time we will be hosting development streams via our discord channels as we create the levels, characters, new functionality and creation of new music and effects in the live streams just for our members.
