Welcome back to our DevBlog! Today, we’re diving deep into the creation of our pizza-making mechanics, sharing the journey from initial concept to the deliciously interactive experience you enjoy in-game.
Designing User-Friendly Topping Modes
When designing our game, we knew we needed to cater to both new players and seasoned gamers. That’s why we developed two topping modes. The first mode lets you simply pick an ingredient and place it on the pizza with ease. Perfect for those just starting out, it provides a straightforward way to get familiar with the game. The second mode for the more experienced players, this mode allows for quicker and more efficient pizza topping. By prepping ingredients in special containers, you can rapidly assemble your pizza, just like in a real pizzeria.
We also included specialized modes for certain ingredients. For example, you can grate cheese directly onto your pizza by holding a grater and a cheese block, or spread sauce with a ladle for that perfect coverage.
Bringing Realism to Your Screen
To make the game as authentic as possible, our game designer teamed up with the owner of an Italian specialty store, who generously shared some secrets of making authentic Italian pizza and guided us on where to find the right recipes. This collaboration resulted in a diverse array of ingredients, including five types of cheese and two types of flour, enhancing the game’s realism and depth.
Our ingredient selection system is designed to give you freedom while rewarding precision. Recipes include mandatory and optional ingredients, and the more accurately you follow the recipe, the higher your rewards.
Mastering the Art of Slicing
One of the coolest features in our game is the slicing mechanic. Built on Unreal Engine’s Procedural Mesh Component, we customized it to meet our needs. Slicing preserves the shape of the ingredient and animates the cuts realistically. For slicing multiple attached models, we developed a method to detach, slice, and reattach the models accurately.
Realistic Cooking Mechanics
We wanted the cooking process to feel as real as possible, so we created a detailed thermodynamics system. This system ensures that heat interactions are realistic, whether you’re boiling, frying, or baking. You’ll see effects like boiling water, fire, steam, and smoke, all powered by the Niagara System and materials. Characters in the game also react to temperature, so be careful not to handle hot objects!
Interactive Cheese Grating
Grating cheese in our game is both simple and satisfying. The cheese block is linearly sliced, and the slices are generated and fall naturally. You can grate cheese directly onto the pizza or into a container, with an auto-grate mode for those who want to speed up the process. Plus, we have pre-grated cheese for players who prefer convenience.
Throwing and Pouring Mechanics
Throwing ingredients is a lot of fun, thanks to Unreal Engine 4’s physics. The throw force depends on how long you hold the button, giving you control over the strength and distance. Pouring solid ingredients uses UE4 physics as well, while liquids and powders have a custom system that simulates their behavior realistically. This system takes into account density, surface ripples, and interactions with other objects, making every action feel authentic.
These detailed mechanics and realistic interactions make our pizza-making game truly immersive. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, you’ll appreciate the depth and authenticity we’ve built into every aspect of the game.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights in our next dev blog!