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Cavenger

Kill, Harvest, Evolve!

Cavenger is a vertical slice of a First Person Extraction Shooter, challenging players to navigate a mysterious underground environment as they search for valuable resources.

At the heart of Cavenger’s gameplay lies strategic decision-making. Players must navigate the treacherous underground terrain, strategically swapping and upgrading their robot’s body parts to unlock new abilities. Each choice shapes their playstyle, influencing their ability to survive and escape the perilous depths without losing everything.

With its immersive world and strategic gameplay mechanics, Cavenger offers a thrilling experience of exploration and resource management. As players delve deeper into the cavernous depths, they strive to claim precious resources against all odds.

Project Overview

Date: 4 months at 6th semester (2023) at Game Design HTW Berlin
Team:
5
Software:
Blender, ZBrush, Unreal Engine 5
Plattform:
PC

My Responsibilities

  • Asset Creation
  • Rigging and Skinning

Gameplay

Cavenger offers a dynamic gameplay experience structured across two primary aspects. At its core, players engage in a thrilling mix of exploration, combat encounters, loot acquisition, and resource extraction. Every moment is an opportunity for discovery and engagement as players navigate the mysterious underground environment, fend off threats, and scavenge valuable resources essential for survival.

Beyond immediate actions lies a deeper layer of progression and customization. Here, players make strategic decisions, unlocking upgrades, customizing their loadouts, and shaping the narrative through story progression and NPC quests. It’s a layered progression system that adds depth and meaning to each action, ensuring that every choice resonates throughout the gameplay experience.

Cavenger’s tactical combat system immerses players in the intensity of each encounter, demanding careful consideration and strategic thinking. Whether facing off against formidable foes or navigating treacherous terrain, players must adapt and overcome to survive.

Central to the game’s design is its modularity, offering players a wealth of customization options. From weapons to robotic companion parts, every component offers unique attributes and abilities. By strategically swapping and upgrading these parts, players can tailor their playstyle, unlocking new capabilities, and enhancing their chances of survival in the harsh underground world.

Modeling

My primary focus within the project revolved around 3D modeling, where I crafted various modular elements such as staircases, bridges, and railings. Drawing inspiration from the provided concepts, I ensured that each element seamlessly integrated into the game world, enriching both its aesthetic and functionality.

 

In addition to these modular components, I undertook the creation of a important in-game asset: the massive generator. This imposing structure serves as a vital element within the game, playing a crucial role in powering up and facilitating progression for players. I imbued the generator with both visual impact and functional significance, ensuring its seamless integration into the game environment.

Rigging and Skinning

In addition to my primary focus on the Environment, I also contributed extensively to the rigging and skinning aspects of our player character and enemy models. After helping with Retopology I utilized Blender and a specialized add-on and rigged and skinned these character, ensuring seamless movement and lifelike animation within the Unreal Engine.

I have already gained some experience with rigging and weight painting during my internship and I enjoyed bringing our game’s characters to life, imbuing them with personality, fluidity, and realism.

Learnings

Hardsurface

basic ZBrush hardsurface techniques

3D Modeling

modular systems, simple to difficult props in different workflows, retopo

Rigging and Skinning

rigging and skinning a character for UE

This project was coached by Prof. Susanne Brandhorst and Prof. Thomas Bremer.