Axo2 | My contribution

A polished game development project made in Unreal Engine with a team of talented developers and artists. I was responsible for the design and implementation of the Character, Camera, and Control (3C) systems, creating smooth gameplay mechanics and dynamic interactions that enhance the player experience. This page showcases my contributions to gameplay refinement.

About the Project

This game is a collaborative effort developed in Unreal Engine by a team of 3 developers and 18 artists, focusing on delivering an immersive gameplay experience with a high level of polish. As one of the developers, my work centered around player-focused mechanics to ensure responsive controls and seamless character animations.

The game is out on UQAC itch.io page

Game Description

Axo2 is a game where you play as Axo, a humanoid axolotl stranded on Earth after his spaceship crash lands. To repair his ship and get back home, Axo must team up with Thrashdex, a quirky robot tasked with cleaning a polluted town.

Together, they embark on a mission to fight polluters, eliminate enemies trying to spread more trash, and collect the garbage they leave behind. Axo then takes the trash to a sorting station, where the player must correctly place each piece into the appropriate trash bin. Failing to sort properly will prevent the town from getting cleaner and delay Axo’s progress.

With engaging mechanics and an eco-friendly message, Axo blends fun gameplay with environmental awareness, making every level a meaningful adventure!

My Contributions

1. 3C System (Character, Camera, and Control)

• Designed and implemented the entire player character system in C++, ensuring the animations and movement felt natural and responsive.
• Iteratively tweaked character controls to achieve a balance between precision and satisfying gameplay feedback.
• Developed a smooth camera system with seamless transitions between view modes.

2. Shooting System (Version 1)

• Built the first iteration of the shooting system including:
  • Shooting mechanics, reload actions, and camera adjustments when aiming.
  • Developed a bullet behavior system leveraging raycasting to guarantee perfect alignment with the crosshair, regardless of distance or player position.

3. Interaction System

• Created the core mechanics for the interaction system, allowing players to engage dynamically with the world

4. Gameplay Refinements and Extra Features

• Contributed to additional game features to improve usability and enhance the overall player experience.
• Focused on integrating art assets and gameplay mechanics cohesively, ensuring all systems worked in sync with the team’s artistic vision.

Key Features of My Work

• Polished Character Movement: Realistic movement synced perfectly with animation speed and player input.
• Smooth Camera Control: Dynamic camera transitions that enhance immersion and adapt to gameplay scenarios.
• Reliable Shooting Mechanics: Unique implementation of raycasting for accurate crosshair targeting, making each shot feel impactful.
• Interactive Gameplay Elements: A system allowing players to interact with the game world in intuitive ways.

Reflecting on This Experience

Working on this game development project has been an invaluable opportunity to refine my skills in Unreal Engine while collaborating with a talented team of developers and artists. My focus on designing and implementing the 3C system taught me the importance of crafting seamless and responsive gameplay mechanics, enhancing the player's immersion and engagement.

Through challenges like creating a reliable shooting system and designing dynamic camera transitions, I gained a deeper understanding of integrating technical precision with creative vision. Contributing to Axo2 not only reinforced my knowledge of C++ but also honed my ability to develop systems that align with both the narrative and artistic goals of a project.

This experience has strengthened my ability to balance technical functionality with user experience, highlighting the impact of cohesive teamwork on delivering polished, enjoyable gameplay. It has been a rewarding journey that reaffirmed my passion for creating meaningful player interactions and engaging game mechanics.