Studio Jojo Devlog (Part 7) — Relic Revival Run : From Prototype to Reality
Turning Points and Collaborative Synergy
The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of creativity and collaboration for the Relic Revival Run development team. Witnessing the entire team come together, mobilizing their skills, and transforming creative ideas into tangible reality has been heartening. Each member has played a crucial role in bringing our vision to life, and we’re thrilled to share our progress.
Game Submission and Artistic Brilliance
We’re excited to announce that we’ve officially submitted our game, Relic Revival Run! You can check it out here: [Relic Revival Run].
Please don’t forget to vote!
Our incredibly talented artist, Pao, has left her mark on the game with her stunning artwork. Be sure to take a look at the short comic she created, which beautifully captures the essence of our game world.
From Prototype to Final Game: Programming and Design Journey
As the programmer and level designer of the team, my role has been to breathe life into our initial prototype and shape it into the final game. This journey involved various crucial components:
Player Input Revolution
The adoption of the updated Unity Input System proved to be a game-changer. Clean code and streamlined control mappings made incorporating gamepad support a breeze.
Special thanks to our Game Designer Jair and Sound Designer Miguel for their invaluable playtesting of gamepad controls. The enhanced Input System facilitated seamless transitions between in-game movement and pause menu UI, all achieved with minimal code.
Crafting Captivating Level Design
Our game world spans Mexico, China, and Portugal, each with its unique charm.
A standout challenge was integrating relic art pieces into our runner game. We creatively tackled this by centering the game around “A Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers,” a masterpiece perfectly suited for our gameplay.
Teotihuacán (Mexico) and São Bento (Portugal) levels demanded innovative solutions. We chose to have players navigate around the relic, aligning with our restoration theme.
Dynamic Gameplay and Re-playability
The prototype featured randomly generated restoration activities, vital for engaging gameplay within our short one-minute levels.
To heighten re-playability, we retained this dynamic approach.
This decision keeps the experience fresh, encouraging quick thinking and reflection, core skills of relic restoration.
Enriching Character Art and Animation
Our artist, Pao, infused the game with stunning character and asset art. Witnessing our main character’s animations evolve has been a joy.
By effectively managing player states (running, jumping, falling), Unity seamlessly transitions animations based on player input and character status.
Harmonious Sound and Music Integration
Our sound magician, Miguel, seamlessly integrated FMOD functionality into Unity, elevating the auditory experience. This enhancement extended to interactive elements like gameplay controls, UI, and player states.
Our composer’s masterful work brought cultural context to life through music, enhancing the immersive experience.
Crafting a Visually Engaging UI
The upgraded Unity Input System facilitated a cleaner separation of UI controls from gameplay mechanics.
UI design played a pivotal role, offering context for upcoming levels, explaining gameplay elements, and allowing players to customize their experience.
Bugfix and Playtesting
No game is truly complete without the crucial stages of playtesting and bug fixing. In this phase of Relic Revival Run’s development, we delved into refining the gameplay experience and addressing unexpected quirks that emerged during testing.
Of course, not all bugs are happy accidents. Our team embarked on a diligent bug-hunting expedition to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience for our players.
Among the issues addressed was the spinning restorer phenomenon. While the fix was relatively straightforward — adjusting the Collision2D component’s behavior — it was imperative to strike a balance between resolving the bug and retaining the engaging, albeit unintentional, fun factor.
Conclusion: A Journey to Cherish
The past two weeks have been a remarkable journey of creativity, collaboration, and growth.
Relic Revival Run’s transformation from prototype to reality showcases the power of a united team with a shared vision.
As we present our game to the world, we’re reminded that the value of a dedicated team is immeasurable.
The lessons learned and skills honed during this endeavor will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on each of us.
Relic Revival Run is more than a game; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when a group of passionate individuals comes together to turn dreams into reality.
Credits
