⚠️ The Demo and the first Early Access build are not yet released.
The Aurora Update of my game Goldanniyatech started in and continuing up to today (), with a crystal-clear objective: preparing the release of the free demo.
This is the final step to move from a set of prototypes and experimentations of the previous update, Genesis, into a full production cycle.
This update focuses on three key systems still in development:
For now, I won’t be focusing on NPCs (Non-Player Characters), as I’d rather spend time shaping and polishing the game’s core system: fighting monsters 👀. We might see some standing NPCs but nothing too fancy.
Character Control System
Driving System
Open-World system
Two Playable Characters are planned for my demo: Charlotte and her brother Max. Each character features distinct gameplay mechanics and abilities.
I've also implemented an Outfit System that allows full outfit changes (not individual clothing items). For now, Charlotte will have two (possibly more) outfits available, helping me to test and refine the system ☺️.
While cosmetic features are cool, my current priority is expanding the roster of playable characters, which means more gameplay variety 😎.
Charlotte is a Magical Researcher with magic powers.
Development Info
Modeling
I tried multiple modeling workflows in Blender, ending up remodeling and refining the character multiple times to search for the most scalable system for having lot of characters, including changing some stuff (from T-pose to A-pose, hair and eyes method, etc.).
Animation
I also remade core animations (idle, walk, run, talk) and contextual animations (drive, etc.) with my custom rig/ armature in Blender. My goal was more than just polishing Charlotte's model: it was about creating a scalable animation workflow for easily making lot of animations in Blender ☺️.
Blender’s animation system is both complex and well crafted. I know they're planning to revamp the animation system too, for the Animation 2025 project, and I’m really looking forward to it. It might help me to improve my workflow. Only time will tell 😃.
Gameplay Scripting
To bring her to life inside Unreal Engine, I rebuilt her movement and combat systems multiple times using Blueprints. I leave C++ optimization for systems that will be battle-tested, possibly after releasing the demo.
I also tried to run multiple tests for the user interface and character clothes customization. My goal was to decide whether to use individual piece of clothes or full outfits. I ended up deciding full outfits, as making individual piece of clothes would be too complicated and not scalable enough from a technical standpoint. It will slow me down without benefits on the most important side of the game: its gameplay.
Driving is a key feature in my game. Which is why I heavily updated this system in , using a more realistic approach with Unreal Engine's built-in Chaos Vehicle System. This system is incredible and very flexible, to say the least 😅! It truly feels like you are in control of the vehicle, and in my opinion it's genuinely enjoyable so far!
In fact, I’ve always been a fan of semi-simulation driving systems in games. I wanted something that wasn’t too arcade, letting me feel the realism of controlling a wheel, but not too much of a simulation either, as I'm targeting fun above all. It’s just a video game, after all! 😅
The Amber Car is a vintage-inspired model I’ve been wanting to design for a long time. I’m genuinely happy with how it turned out, as it really looks like a true collector’s car, which is exactly what I was aiming for 😄.
The goal with the Azure SUV was clearly to create a modern yet stylish SUV.
Not playable yet (not sure if it will be playable for the first update), I really wanted to add a large variety of vehicles, including electric scooters.
I will work on the texturing process much later 😅, though! I want to finalize the model first and ensure it’s ready for some Playable Characters, something that might require additional modeling tweaks! And trust me, fixing textures after making modeling adjustments is an absolute nightmare 😂!
This Raptor Truck is the first in a series of seven distinct trucks. Each one plays a very important role in both the gameplay and the story.
Creatures are enemies in Golden. In fact, I differenciate between animals, which are either neutral or kind for players, and creatures (or monsters), which are enemies to fight.
Oddly enough, the main creature where I make the most tests is... A Halloween pumpkin 🎃. Probably because it was the first monster I've made in october 2018 for Golden.
For the Aurora update, my main focus is Golden Avenue, which marks the starting point of the game’s journey. Thus, I worked on several shops and buildings at the same time, although some might be still closed for the demo and updated later.
This Beauty Care store plays an important role for Danna, a future playable character 😉. I also worked on the interior, which I will further refine later on.
The store might not be open for the demo or the initial Early Access release, but its interior will likely be well fully modeled by then.
I've made a small Ice Cream Shop that may help enhance certain abilities for a specific playable hero.
It's quite a small place, but modeling it was a great opportunity to experiment with lightweight interiors.
The Train Station is a key location in one of the earliest quests in my game. I really want it to be the largest station in my virtual universe 😅, so it may remain a work in progress for quite some time, even long after the quest is fully implemented and finalized.
