The upcoming 0.13.0 update for Vestiges: Fallen Tribes will highlight the visual effects of units on the battlefield during resolution phases. Indeed, extensive work has been done to perfect the VFX for this update, along with other improvements and fixes. Let’s talk about our next update !
VFX & immersion
It was important to work more thoroughly on the VFX of unit animations because they are essential to provide a captivating visual experience and enhance immersion. They also serve to elevate the game's aesthetics by making the resolution phases visually more qualitative.
Stéphane, Level Builder & Cinematic Artist, as well as Pauline, 3D Designer, both worked on the VFX. They both used Niagara, a dedicated module implemented directly in Unreal Engine. “To create a visual effect, we start with a particle whose appearance, color, or shape we modify. We can add as many different particles as we want until we achieve the desired result”, Pauline explains.
For example, for a hit effect, two emitters were necessary. Emitters allow the creation of explosions, dust, lights.... It can go up to thirteen emitters on one unit, as is the case for Arwhii's landing effect.
Stéphane took care of the Sandstorm’s effect, a card that, when played, triggers a sand tornado moving toward its target. “As a fun fact, I had to redo the VFX for the Sandstorm because, in the first version, we realized that the FX was flat and, therefore, had no 3D effect when viewed from above”, adds Stéphane. Moreover, the VFX improves the clarity and accessibility of visual information, helping players quickly understand the effects and consequences of their actions.
New behaviour for the Shadowblades
You are probably familiar with the Shadowblades card from the Adrarii deck. It is the only card that can be placed around your opponent's play area to take their units by surprise. "Since the behavior of units is to seek the nearest target, when placed behind enemy units, the Shadowblades disrupt the opposing army, often to their advantage. Therefore, we had to find a new way to make them react and it had to be a bit more faire", Suzanne Rault, Art Director, explains. The goal was also to make the unit discreet and prevent nearby units from attacking it. A new behavior has been programmed for the Shadowblades: they are now undetectable until they attack an enemy target.
New mouth cursors
The readability and intuitiveness of actions in a video game are crucial to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable player experience. Adapting mouse cursors based on the actions the player needs to perform plays a fundamental role in this aspect. Distinct and contextual cursors allow players to instantly understand what actions are possible at any given moment, thus reducing the need for additional interfaces or complex menus. For this reason, new cursors have been created specifically for unit selection and placement.
Join us now in the open beta of Vestiges: Fallen Tribes! This is your chance to experience the game firsthand and help shape its future. We are particularly interested in your feedback on the types of effect cards you'd like to see added. Your input will be invaluable in enhancing the gameplay and making each match even more exciting. Share your ideas with us and become a part of our growing community.
There are a few ways to give us your feedback on the game :
- the feedback form , the most efficient
- the discord, the most detailed
- X, also a possibility
Don't hesitate to wishlist the game in support:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2511780/Vestiges_Fallen_Tribes/
Thank you for being a part of this exciting evolution, and we can't wait to see where the Closed Beta takes us!